ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (USACE) has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction of the Corporation of Shepherdstown Water Distribution System Improvements Project, located in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia. The Baltimore District is cost sharing the Project with the Corporation of Shepherdstown, the non-federal sponsor. The Project involves removing and replacing existing waterlines that are currently located within existing rights-of-way (ROWs) and previously disturbed areas. The Project would update the existing infrastructure to better distribute and/or provide adequate fire protection for the residents and commercial properties in the Mecklenburg Heights Subdivision, Lukens Circle, East High Street, Mill Street, Rock Springs Road, Scott Drive, and Lynmouth Lane in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The existing waterlines are not of appropriate capacity to provide for the adequate distribution of water for fire protection.
The Baltimore District is cost sharing the project with the Corporation of Shepherdstown, the non-Federal sponsor. The proposed project is needed to improve water distribution for the purpose of fire protection for the current residents and commercial properties of Shepherdstown, WV. The existing waterlines are not of appropriate capacity to provide for the adequate distribution of water for fire protection due to the existing infrastructure being undersized. This project includes the construction of approximately 16,825 LF of PVC pipe ranging from 2 inches to 8-inches, and 3,915 LF of 3/4-inch service lines, gates valves, fire hydrants, and all other associated appurtenances. Other work includes steel casing (jack & bore/open cut), trench repair, asphalt overlay/driveway restoration, 185 service reconnections, 13 connections to existing waterline, existing rip rap ditch repair, mobilization/demobilization, videotaping, and erosion and sediment control. The Project would replace outdated and undersized existing lines in addition to reaching new service areas, with 17 new fire hydrant assemblies being installed.
The Northern West Virginia Environmental Infrastructure and Resource Protection and Development Program was authorized by Section 571 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 (PL 106-53), as amended, by Section 5155 of WRDA 2007 (PL 110-114), Section 352(b)(13) of WRDA 2020 (PL 116-260) and Section 8373 (PL 117-263) of WRDA 2022. The primary objective of the Section 571 Program is to provide design and construction assistance to non-Federal interests carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in counties within northern West Virginia. This project is located within the Corporation of Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USACE has prepared this draft EA and evaluated potential effects on the human environment. All applicable environmental laws have been considered. Potential impacts to the human and physical environment were assessed. Impacts from the proposed project include short-term, minor, adverse impacts to soils, floodplains, air quality, noise, traffic, and temporary loss of vegetation (predominately grass and shrubs, with a few street trees possible) in some areas during construction. Appropriate steps to minimize potential adverse impacts, such as the implementation of best management practices, will be incorporated into the Project. The proposed project would not have adverse effects to surface water quality and no adverse effects to threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat. No impacts to cultural resources or National Register of Historic Places properties are expected. Tribal coordination has also been completed with no concerns of impacts.
USACE requests comments regarding the draft EA and FONSI within 30 days of the date of this notice. For federal and state agencies receiving a copy of this notice, we request that you provide comments concerning your responsibilities. The draft EA and FONSI are available at the USACE website: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Central-WV-Infrastructure-571-Program/.
Comments can be submitted electronically to: Christopher.a.Johnson@usace.army.mil. Written comments can be sent to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Chris Johnson, Planning Division,
10th Floor, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Johnson by telephone at (410) 962-2926 or by email at the address above.