Garrison, Kathio, WEst Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary …...Corps regulation ER 200-2-2 and Minn. R. ch....

March 14, 2003 TO INTERESTED PARTIES: RE: Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary Sewer District Collection and Transmission System Enclosed for your review and comment is the Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the wastewater collection system proposed by the Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary Sewer District. Comments received on the EA/EAW will be used by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in evaluating the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and deciding on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement. The EA/EAW identifies and assesses the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the proposed system. This document was prepared to satisfy both Federal and State reporting requirements put forth in the National Environmental Policy Act and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act. The comment period will begin the day the EA/EAW availability notice is published in the Environmental Quality Board Monitor, which is likely to occur in the March 17, 2003, issue. Please note that comment letters submitted to the MPCA or the Corps of Engineers do become pubic documents and will be part of the official public record for this project. Comments on the EA/EAW may be made to either:

1. Denise Leezer Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (651) 297-8237 Email: [email protected]

2. Richard J. Beatty Environmental and Economic Analysis Branch St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers 190 Fifth Street East St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: (651) 290-5273 Email: [email protected]

Sincerely, Beth G. Lockwood Supervisor Operations and Environmental Review Section Regional Environmental Management Division

BGL:gs

Enclosures

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET

GARRISON, KATHIO, WEST MILLE LACS LAKE SANITARY SEWER DISTRICT

TRANSMISSION AND COLLECTION SYSTEM MILLE LACS AND CROW WING COUNTIES, MINNESOTA

March 2003

GKWMLL Sanitary District EA/EAW Environmental Assessment/ Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties, Minnesota i Environmental Assessment Worksheet




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 1. CONTACTS .............................................................................................................................. 1 2. AUTHORITY FOR ACTION .................................................................................................... 1 3. LOCATION AND CURRENT CONDITIONS.......................................................................... 2 4. PROPOSED ACTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION ......................................................... 3 5. PROJECT MAGNITUDE DATA ............................................................................................ 12 6. COVER TYPES........................................................................................................................ 12 7. FISH, WILDLIFE, AND ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE RESOURCES ............................. 13 8. PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES............................................................... 16 9. WATER USE............................................................................................................................ 17 10 WATER-RELATED LAND USE MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ......................................... 18 11. WATER SURFACE USE........................................................................................................ 18 12. EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION..................................................................................... 18 13. WATER QUALITY – SURFACE WATER RUNOFF........................................................... 19 14. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND SOIL CONDITIONS ............................................................ 23 15. SOLID WASTES, HAZARDOUS WASTES, STORAGE TANKS....................................... 24 16. TRAFFIC ................................................................................................................................. 24 17. NEARBY RESOURCES ......................................................................................................... 25 18. VISUAL IMPACTS................................................................................................................. 27 19. COMPATIBILITY WITH PLANS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS .............................. 27 20. IMPACTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES......................................... 29 21. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS..................................................................................................... 30 22. ODORS, NOISE, AND DUST ............................................................................................... 37 23. OTHER POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ...................................................... 37 24. SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES ........................................................................................ 37 25. ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................... 39 26. COORDINATION................................................................................................................... 40 27. APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS................................... 41 28. PERMITS AND APPROVALS NEEDED.............................................................................. 42 TABLES 1. Status of Project with Applicable Laws and Statutes................................................................. 41 2. Permits and Approvals Required ............................................................................................... 42

GKWMLL Sanitary District EA/EAW Environmental Assessment/ Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties, Minnesota ii Environmental Assessment Worksheet

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont)

EXHIBITS A. County map showing the general location of the project; B. United States Geological Survey map indicating project boundaries; C. Site plan showing all significant project and natural features. D. Proposed Sanitary Sewer Route E. Previously Recorded Archeological Sites ATTACHMENT 1. Minnesota Historical Society Correspondence 2. United States Department of the Interior Correspondence 3. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Correspondence 4. Natural Resources Conservation Service Correspondence 5. Minnesota Department of Health Correspondence 6. Draft Sewer Use Ordinance 7. Mille Lacs Watershed Proposed Stormwater Management Plan AVAILABALE UPON REQUEST (see section 1) • Flood Plain Maps • FEMA Flood Hazard Determination (FEMA Form 81-93) • B&D Report

GKWMLL Sanitary District EA/EAW Environmental Assessment Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties, Minnesota 1 Environmental Assessment Worksheet




1. CONTACTS U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Richard Beatty Denise M. Leezer St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers Project Manager 190 Fifth Street East 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55101 St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (651) 290-5273 Phone: (651) 297-8236 Fax: (651) 290-5258 Fax: (651) 296-7782 Project Proposer Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary Sewer District Timothy Houle Project Engineer Widseth Smith Nolting 2000 Industrial Park Road South District P.O. Box 2720 Baxter, MN 56425 Phone: (218) 829-5117 Fax: (218) 829-2517 2. AUTHORITY FOR ACTION

The St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have prepared this assessment of the environmental effects that may result from the proposed construction of a new wastewater collection system along the western side of Mille Lacs Lake. The new wastewater collection system will be located in Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties, Minnesota. This assessment of the Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposal is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Corps regulation ER 200-2-2 and Minn. R. ch. 4410.4300, subp. 18.

The authority for the Federal participation in the project is found in Section 569 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, which directs the Secretary to “establish a pilot program to provide environmental assistance to non-federal interests in Northeastern Minnesota.” The Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary Sewer District (District) requested assistance from the Corps for the proposed project and was selected as the non-Federal sponsor.


This Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) provides background information including the following:

• Need for the proposed project; • Alternatives considered; • Environmental impacts and mitigation; and • Agency coordination and public involvement.

At the Federal level, the EA is used to provide sufficient environmental documentation to determine that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed or that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate. At the State level, this document serves as an EAW. Minn. R. 4410.1300 allows the EA to take the place of the EAW form provided the EA considers all the environmental effects identified in the EAW form. This EA addresses each of the environmental effects identified in the EAW form. The EA would be used to provide sufficient environmental documentation to determine that a State EIS is needed or that a Negative Declaration is appropriate. This document is made available for public review and comment in accordance with the requirements of 23 CFR 771.119(d) and Minn. R. 4410.1500 through 4410.1600.

3. LOCATION AND CURRENT CONDITIONS

Location The proposed collection and transmission system would originate in the northern part of the city of Garrison and discharge sewage to the new wastewater treatment facility (WWTF), owned and operated by ML Waste Management (MLWM). The WWTF is located approximately 1.5 miles south of the District, along Mille Lacs County’s State Aid Highway (CSAH) 25, also known as Timber Trail Road. Current Conditions The area within the District is presently served by individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS’s). There have been various attempts at estimating the number of ISTS’s across the entire District with sometimes varying results. From a windshield survey of residences and commercial entities along the route of the proposed initial sanitary sewer collection system, the following data was established:

• 503 single family residential units = 1 equivalent dwelling unit per residence = 503 equivalent dwelling units (EDU)

• 3 multiple family structures consisting of a total of 60 residential units = 60 EDU’s • 62 commercial-type entities (campgrounds, businesses, resorts, churches, restaurants, etc.) =

estimated 387 EDU’s Each of these residences, multiple family structures, or commercial-type entities has their own ISTS’s of various types.


4. a. PROPOSED ACTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION The District consists of the following municipalities; the city of Garrison, Garrison Township, and Kathio Township (see Exhibit B). The District is proposing to construct a new collection system along the western side of Mille Lacs Lake. The proposed new collection and transmission system would include approximately 100,000 feet of gravity sanitary sewer ranging in diameter from 8 inches to 12 inches; approximately 40,000 feet of forcemain ranging in size from 4 inches to 8 inches in diameter; and approximately 27 lift stations. Wastewater from existing development, served by the initial collection system with an average flow of approximately 208,000 gallons per day, would be generated from a mix of residential and commercial sources. The discharge would be composed of a medium strength domestic wastewater. Using current zoning ordinances, it is anticipated that the quality of the wastewater from any future development and connections is not expected to change. However, at full capacity, the maximum flow is expected to increase to 325,000 gallons per day. Proposed Route (See Exhibit D for a map delineating the proposed route of the collection and transmission system.) There are two northerly points on the system, the first along Trunk Highway (TH) 169 on the east and the second along Borden Lake on the west. A service line and lift station would serve the Garrison Harbor Condos off of TH 169 (about 5,700 feet north of the TH 18/TH 169 “Y” in Garrison) as well as any future extensions to the west. A four-inch forcemain, installed in the west TH 169 ditch, would carry the sewage from this lift station south about 2,400 feet to a manhole in the west TH 169 ditch. Directional boring methods would be used to install this forcemain under Garrison Creek and under the ditch. An eight-inch diameter gravity system would continue south about 1,200 feet in the west TH 169 ditch servicing a residence and a campground and RV park. The eight-inch gravity line then turns and flows about 1,000 feet west on Wilderness Camp Road to a lift station, picking up a campground on the way past. An eight-inch diameter gravity line would start north of the TH 18/TH 169 “Y” and proceed north 1,400 feet along back lot lines to the above mentioned lift station on Wilderness Camp Road, picking up the commercial businesses and a trailer park in the area between TH 18 and TH 169. A six-inch diameter forcemain takes the sewage out of the lift station, follows the gravity line to the south, and then turns west and crosses under TH 18 in a casing pipe (jacked under the highway) into a manhole on the westerly service road about 700 feet north of the TH 18/TH 169 “Y”. An eight-inch gravity starts on the north end of Maple Ridge Road on the east side of Borden Lake, picks up residences and flows to the south about 1,100 feet to a lift station at the intersection with Allen Road. Starting about 600 feet south of Allen Road on Maple Ridge Road, an eight-inch gravity line flows north picking up residences as it goes to the above mentioned lift station. A four-inch diameter forcemain takes the sewage out of this lift station and pumps it about 700 feet south along Maple Ridge Road to a manhole. An eight-inch gravity line then continues south about 1,700 feet on Maple Ridge Road picking up residences before dumping into a lift station as the road turns east to head towards the city of Garrison. The lift station then pumps the sewage in a four-inch diameter forcemain about 1,200 feet to a manhole on Central Street on the western side of the city of Garrison. Sewage from the north and east and from the north and west flows into the gravity system within the city of Garrison. About 10,700 feet of 8-inch and 12-inch diameter gravity lines would be placed under the streets and alleys to pick up the residential and commercial businesses of the city of Garrison. The commercial businesses along TH 169 would be served by pipes on the west (back) side of the buildings. This city of Garrison gravity system caries all this sewage to a lift station located just to the north of and behind (or west of) the Blue Goose Inn.


From the above mentioned lift station in the city of Garrison, the sewage would be pumped through an eight-inch diameter forcemain. The forcemain would follow the gravity line behind (west of) the Blue Goose, Super America, and McDonalds for 900 feet, and then would turn to the east for 300 feet along the service road on the south side of the McDonalds and out to the west TH 169 ditch. The forcemain would then be directionally bored in the west TH 169 ditch. In this ditch, it would go under the creek that goes through the Garrison Underpass south of town and north of the TH 169 Rest Area, over the Pike Point hill, down the hill, under the creek that flows through the St. Alban’s Bay culvert north of Crow Wing CSAH 26, and into a manhole on the south side of this creek – a distance of about 6,200 feet. This manhole is located about 500 feet north of the CSAH 26/TH 169 intersection. The resort and motel south of the Pike Point hill and north of the creek would be serviced by individual grinder lift stations whose forcemain would also be directionally bored under the creek to the above mentioned manhole. From a manhole that is about 500 feet north of the CSAH 26/TH 169 intersection, a 12-inch diameter gravity sewer would proceed southerly in the western TH 169 ditch picking up the commercial businesses along this strip and then be directionally bored about 350 feet to the southwest under CSAH 26. At this point, the sanitary sewer proceeds south along the back, or west, side of the beach ridge along St. Alban’s Bay servicing the residential and commercial properties along the Bay. Due to space restrictions next to the highway, locations of other utilities and improvements, the potential for archeological resources next to TH 169 along St. Albans Bay, and the majority of the existing sewer mounds being on the westerly side of the properties, the sanitary sewer is being located behind, or west of, the properties along the highway. From the manhole on the south side of CSAH 26 about 400 feet west of TH 169, the 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds about 900 feet south to a lift station located roughly behind the Twin Pines Restaurant. Coming from the south to the north is about 1,300 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing into this lift station behind the Twin Pines. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this Twin Pines lift station south about 1,400 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole, this manhole is about 2,300 feet south of CSAH 26. From this manhole, a 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds southerly about 1,100 feet to a lift station located south of Gregory’s Resort. Coming from the south to the north is about 2,700 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing into this lift station south of Gregory’s Resort. An eight -inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this Gregory’s Resort lift station south about 2,800 feet along the above eight -inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole. This manhole is about 900 feet north of the Holt Smith Lake Road. From this manhole, a 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds southerly about 900 feet to a manhole in the Holt Smith Lake Road about 450 feet west of TH 169. Gravity sanitary sewer and a series of lift stations provides service to the residential area between Smith Lake and Holt Lake and brings the sewage to the above manhole on the Holt Smith Lake Road, about 450 feet west of TH 169. Starting on the western end of this line on the south side of Smith Lake, an eight -inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flows to the northeast along Glen Drive about 900 feet to a lift station located near the ‘point’ on the south side of Smith Lake. Coming from the southwest to the northwest is about 700 feet of eight -inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Glen Drive flowing into this lift station near the ‘point’. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this ‘point’ lift station south and east about 800 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole on Glen Drive. This manhole is about 900 feet west of Interlachen Lane, which connects Glen Drive and Holt Smith Lake Road on the isthmus of land between Smith and Holt Lakes.


From this manhole, an eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds northeasterly along Glen Drive about 900 feet to a manhole at the intersection of Glen Drive and Interlachen Lane. This manhole also collects about 600 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Glen Drive coming in from the east. From this manhole at Glen Drive and Interlachen Lane, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flows southerly about 150 feet to a manhole at the intersection of Interlachen Lane and Holt Smith Lake Road. This manhole at Interlachen Lane and Holt Smith Lake Road receives sewage from the west via about 400 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Holt Smith Lake Road. From the manhole at the intersection of Interlachen and Holt Smith Lake Road, an eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds about 350 feet to the east under Holt Smith Lake to a lift station. Coming from the east to the west is about 750 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Holt Smith Lake Road flowing into this lift station about 350 feet east of Interlachen Lane. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station east about 800 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole on Holt Smith Lake Road. From this manhole, an eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds about 420 feet to the east under Holt Smith Lake to a lift station (about 1,600 feet east of Interlachen Lane). Coming from the east and south to the north and west is about 2,400 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Holt Smith Lake Road flowing into this lift station (about 1,600 feet east of Interlachen Lane). A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station east and south about 2,450 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole on Holt Smith Lake Road. From this manhole, an eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds about 2,900 feet to the south and east under Holt Smith Lake to the manhole on the Holt Smith Lake Road located about 450 feet west of TH 169. From the manhole on the Holt Smith Lake Road, about 450 feet west of TH 169, that picks up sewage from behind St. Alban’s Bay, areas to the north, and the area between Smith and Holt Lakes, sewage flows to the east about 400 feet under Holt Smith Lake Road in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer out to the western side of TH 169. At this point, the line turns southeast where the 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer would be directionally bored about 350 feet under Seguchie Creek in the western ditch of TH 169. From this point, the line picks up resorts/commercial and residences and carries the sewage to the southeast about 700 feet in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer within the western ditch of TH 169 into a lift station. Coming from the southeast at County Road 138 to the northwest picking up commercial and residences about 2,000 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along the western ditch of TH 169 flowing into this lift station. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southeast about 2,900 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and Swing Away (the western frontage road of TH 169) and discharges it into a manhole at Swing Away and Grass Trail (about 900 feet south of County Road 138). Sanitary sewer from five side roads that serve residences between TH 169 and Mille Lacs Lake (Sail Away, Earle Brown Drive, Main Sail, Flying Jib, and Harbor Drive) are brought in to this stretch of sanitary sewer paralleling TH 169. On the north end of Sail Away, there would be five lots served by individual grinder lift stations discharging into a manhole that would then carry the sewage to the south, about 700 feet in an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer to a lift station at the intersection with Earle Brown Drive. Also flowing into this lift station is 600 feet of eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer coming down Earle Brown Drive from the west and 500 feet of eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer coming down Earle Brown Drive from the southeast. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station west about 700 feet along Earle Brown Drive and discharges it into a manhole at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Earle Brown Drive. From this manhole, sewage flows to the north about 1,200 feet under Harbor Drive in an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer. Along the way, Main Sail and Flying Jib are picked up. Main


Sail would consist of about 300 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the east and then pumped back to the west to Harbor Drive by a duplex individual grinder lift station through about 500 feet of two-inch diameter forcemain. Flying Jib would consist of about 400 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the east and then pumped back to the west to Harbor Drive by a duplex individual grinder lift station through about 600 feet of two-inch diameter forcemain. At the north end of Harbor Drive, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer would flow to the west inside a jacked casing pipe under TH 169 and connect into the eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer in the western ditch of TH 169 at a point about 650 feet north of County Road 138. From the manhole at Swing Away and Grass Trail (about 900 feet south of County Road 138 on the western frontage road of TH 169), sewage flows to the southeast under Swing Away in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer for about 800 feet to a lift station located about 1,700 feet south of County Road 138 and about 900 feet north of Deer Trail. Coming from the southeast at about Deer Trail to the northwest is about 800 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Swing Away flowing into this lift station. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southeast about 900 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line on Swing Away and discharges it into a manhole at Swing Away and Deer Trail (about 2,600 feet south of County Road 138 and across TH 169 from Lake Street). Sanitary sewer from three side roads that serve residences between TH 169 and Mille Lacs Lake (Walleye Way, Northern Lites Drive, and Holiday Harbor Drive) are brought in to this stretch of sanitary sewer paralleling TH 169. Walleye Way would consist of about 500 feet of eight -inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the east and then pumped back to the west by a duplex individual grinder lift station through about 900 feet of two-inch diameter forcemain. The westerly 300 feet of this forcemain would be inside a six-inch diameter-casing pipe that would be directionally bored under TH 169. The forcemain from Walleye Way would connect into the 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under Swing Away at a point about 1,200 feet south of County Road 138. Starting on the northeast end of Northern Lites Drive, the sewage would be carried to the southwest and west about 1,500 feet in an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer to a lift station near the intersection with Holiday Harbor Drive. Also flowing into this lift station is about 350 feet of eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer coming down Northern Lites Drive from the west and about 1,100 feet of eight-inch diameter sanitary sewer coming down Holiday Harbor Drive from the southwest. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southwest about 1,600 feet along Holiday Harbor Drive. The westerly 300 feet of this forcemain, inside a ten-inch diameter casing pipe that would be directionally bored under TH 169, would connect into the eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under Swing Away at a point about 1,900 feet south of County Road 138. From the manhole at Swing Away and Deer Trail (about 2,600 feet south of County Road 138 on the western frontage road of TH 169 across from Lake Street), sewage flows to the southeast under Swing Away in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer for about 2,900 feet to the north intersection of Baffie Bend. Sanitary sewer from two side roads that serve residences between TH 169 and Mille Lacs Lake (Edgewater Circle and Harbor Drive) are brought in to this above stretch of sanitary sewer paralleling TH 169. From the north end of the Edgewater Circle loop, the western side would consist of about 950 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the south to Harbor Drive. The eastern side of Edgewater Circle would consist of about 1,500 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the south to a lift station located south of the intersection with Harbor Drive.


Harbor Drive would be served by about 1,600 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing to the northeast to the lift station located south of the intersection with Edgewater Circle. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southwest about 2,200 feet along Harbor Drive. The westerly 300 feet of this forcemain, inside a ten-inch diameter casing pipe that would be directionally bored under TH 169, would connect into the 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under Swing Away at a point about 1,100 feet north of the North Baffie Bend/Swing Away intersection. From the North Baffie Bend/Swing Away intersection on the western frontage road of TH 169, sewage flows to the south under the north leg of Baffie Bend in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer for about 1,200 feet to a lift station located at the ‘western point’ of Baffie Bend. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station easterly about 1,600 feet along the south leg of Baffie Bend and discharges it into a manhole at the South Baffie Bend/Swing Away intersection. From this manhole, sewage flows southerly under Swing Away in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer for about 1,350 feet to a lift station located about 600 feet north of Captive Lake Road (on the west side of TH 169 just north of the Mille Lacs Golf Resort clubhouse). Coming from the south into this lift station is about 900 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer going from west to east along Captive Lake Road and serving Carefree Acres Campground, the golf course clubhouse, and residences. This line is connected to about 600 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer heading north along Swing Away to the lift station. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southerly about 600 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line on Swing Away, southerly another 700 feet under the westerly ditch of Swing Away to the South Port intersection with TH 169, then to the east crossing under TH 169 inside a 300-foot long jacked 12-inch diameter casing pipe, then another 400 feet in the south ditch of South Port, discharging it into a manhole at South Port and Gone Fishin’. Sanitary sewer from seven side roads, that serve residences between TH 169 and Mille Lacs Lake, (Chesley Court, Beaver Bend, 181st Avenue, Gopher Lane, Badger Drive, 180th Avenue, and Marina Way) are brought in to this above stretch of sanitary sewer paralleling TH 169. Starting on the north, at the north end of Chesley Court, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer takes sewage to the south 400 feet to a lift station located about mid-point on Chesley Court (about 550 feet north of Beaver Bend). From the south flowing into this lift station via eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer is about 600 feet of pipe from the south half of Chesley Court, about 600 feet of pipe from Beaver Bend, about 900 feet of pipe from 181st Avenue (basically Chesley Court extended to the south from the intersection with Beaver Bend), and about 300 feet of pipe from Gopher Lane. The sewage from this Chesley Court lift station is pumped in a four-inch diameter forcemain south about 2,100 feet along the gravity sewer under Chesley Court and 181st Avenue to a manhole located on 181st Avenue about 300 feet north of Badger Drive and about 1,500 feet south of Beaver Bend. On this stretch of 181st Avenue, between the gravity sanitary sewer heading north towards the Chesley Court lift station (about 900 feet south of Beaver Bend) and the gravity sanitary sewer heading south towards the Marina Way lift station (about 1,500 feet south of Beaver Bend), there are four existing plus, four possible additional future, structures that would be serviced by individual grinder lift stations. These lift stations would pump into the manhole located about 300 feet north of Badger Drive and about 1,500 feet south of Beaver Bend. From this manhole, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer would then flow south along 181st Avenue for about 300 feet to the intersection of Badger Drive, where it picks up about 400 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing in from the east along Badger Drive. From the 181st Avenue/Badger Drive intersection, the eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer would be installed to the southeast for about 800 feet across a grassed


field to the north end of 180th Avenue. An eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer continues to carry sewage southeasterly on 180th Avenue for about another 500 feet to a lift station on the corner with Marina Way. From the cul-de-sac on the south end of 180th Avenue, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer carries sewage northwesterly for about 400 feet to the lift station on the corner with Marina Way. Also flowing into this lift station is sewage from the 1,200 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under Marina Way from Xavier Road (about 200 feet east of the existing TH 169) down towards Mille Lacs Lake. A four-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this Marina Way/180th Avenue lift station back up about 1,500 feet along Marina Way and under TH 169 connecting into the 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under Swing Away at a point about 750 feet north of Captive Lake Road. The westerly 300 feet of this forcemain would be inside a ten-inch diameter casing pipe that would be directionally bored under TH 169. From the manhole at South Port and Gone Fishin’, sewage flows to the south under Gone Fishin’ in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer for about 1,900 feet to its intersection with Whitefish Road, south about 700 feet under Gone Fishin’ in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer to its intersection with Earle Brown Drive, and south about 500 feet under Gone Fishin’ in a 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer to a lift station on the north edge of Wigwam Bay (just south and west of the southern end of the Lakeside Manor Apartments). Sanitary sewer from three side roads that serve residences between TH 169 and Mille Lacs Lake (Treasure Cove, Lucky Jog, and Earle Brown Drive) are brought in to this stretch of sanitary sewer paralleling TH 169 on the east. Starting on the north at Treasure Cove (Treasure Cove is on the east side of TH 169 about 500 feet south of Captive Lake Road and about 200 feet north of South Port), an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer takes sewage easterly about 1,000 feet to its intersection with Lucky Jog, and from there easterly about another 900 feet in an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer to a lift station located at Lucky Jog and the north end of Earle Brown Drive. Also flowing into this lift station from south to north is about 2,200 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer along Earle Brown Drive. The sewage from this Lucky Jog/Earle Brown Drive lift station is pumped in a four-inch diameter forcemain south along the gravity sewer under Earle Brown Drive about 2,300 feet to a manhole located at the intersection with Relaxin Road. From this manhole, an eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer continues under Earle Brown Drive to the south and west for about 2,700 feet to the 12-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer under the intersection with Gone Fishin’. From this lift station at the south end of Gone Fishin’/north edge of Wigwam Bay that picks up sewage from all the District north of this point, the sewage is pumped about 400 feet in an eight-inch diameter forcemain southwest under TH 169 (inside a 300-foot long jacked 12-inch diameter casing pipe) to the west side of the highway along an existing power line corridor. At this point, the eight-inch diameter forcemain would be directionally bored to the south about 1,000 feet, passing under Whitefish Creek, to a manhole located in the western ditch of TH 169 at Mille Lacs CSAH 25 (also known as CSAH 2 about 1.5 miles to the west in Crow Wing County and also sometimes referred to as the Pine Center Road). For this stretch along Wigwam Bay, the sanitary sewer is located in the grassed R/W area between TH 169 and the residences and businesses that would be served. From the manhole at CSAH 25, the 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds about 400 feet southeasterly to a lift station located on the south side of the old Wigwam Inn and Resort site. Coming from the southeast to the northwest is about 700


feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing into this lift station on the old Wigwam Inn and Resort site. An eight-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this lift station southeasterly about 700 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line and discharges it into a manhole. From this manhole, a 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer proceeds southeasterly about 700 feet to the District's last lift station located on the south side of the old Rainbow Inn motel. Coming from the southeast near the TH 169/CSAH 25 (also known as Timber Trails Road) intersection to the northwest is about 1,100 feet of eight-inch diameter gravity sanitary sewer flowing into this lift station on the old Rainbow Inn motel site. A ten-inch diameter forcemain carries sewage from this last lift station of the District southeasterly about 1,100 feet along the above eight-inch gravity line, south about 1,350 feet along CSAH 25 (Timber Trails Road), and then discharges it into a lift station owned and operated by MLWM. From this point, MLWM would take the sewage to their new WWTF, located approximately 1.5 miles south of the District, along Mille Lacs CSAH 25, that is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date of September 2003. Installation Methods The proposed sanitary sewer system would be constructed utilizing the open trench method. Construction documents would require that the contractor not leave more than approximately one block of trench open as pipe laying operations progress. The majority of the pipe would have a minimum bury depth of eight feet (to minimize freezing) with maximum depths varying, depending on ground-water depths, soil conditions, and the hydraulics of the overall system. Pipes with less than eight feet of cover would have insulation board installed over the pipe. The sanitary sewer pipes would be gasketed, and would be leakage tested after installation and before operation. For any crossings of creeks, waterways, and U.S. Highway 169, the construction contractor would be required to jack and bore casing pipe or use directional boring. Manholes and lift stations sites would be excavated, the structures installed, and the soil backfilled and compacted around the structures. The manholes and the lift station structures, except for some electrical/control panels and vents, would be completely underground. The underground portions would be pre-cast concrete structures with gasketed sealed joints between individual pieces. After installation of the sanitary sewer system, no fill would remain and the surface would be restored to its pre-construction elevation and condition. Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary Sewer District (District) The District encompasses the entire project area. The District was formed in 1999 to work cooperatively on a regional solution to the area’s wastewater problems and needs. The District encompasses a significant portion of the western side of Mille Lacs Lake. The District’s service area, approximately 7,400 acres (11.5 square miles), cuts across jurisdictional boundaries and includes the city of Garrison, the eastern side of Borden Lake, St. Albans Bay of Mille Lacs Lake, Smith Lake and Holt Lake area, and Wigwam Bay of Mille Lacs Lake. The District’s Board of Managers, in accordance with its by-laws, consists of five representatives selected by the three governmental entities, the city of Garrison, Garrison Township, and Kathio Township. Each entity must have one representative, but no entity may have more than two


representatives. Terms are for four years and are staggered so that there are always experienced Managers on the Board. This arrangement resulted in no one entity being able to ‘stack’ the Board and have all the say in decisions that affected the areas of the other entities that make up the District. Receiving Wastewater Treatment Facility MLWM, a not-for-profit corporation, was formed under the laws of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to own and operate the new WWTF. The new WWTF is located approximately 1.5 miles south of the District along Mille Lacs CSAH 25, or Timber Trail Road, and is anticipated to be operational in September 2003. Potential Related Secondary Growth The District hired the consultant team of Biko and Desotelle to perform a Background Study and Build-Out Analysis (B&D Report). The B&D Report used existing zoning regulations to compare present development versus potential development after the proposed sanitary sewer system was built. The B&D Report discussed the size and locations of areas for potential development . While a portion of the District, especially along the areas that would be served by the proposed collection system, is already platted; there are also other larger tract areas within the District that are not platted. However, as indicated in the B&D Report, most of the area south and west of Whitefish Lake, south and west of Holt Lake, and west of Smith Lake is Publicly Owned/Managed lands that are not assumed to be available for future development nor future extensions of the central sanitary sewer collection system. The initial system is laid out to serve the existing, most densely developed areas. Along the proposed route, there are some undeveloped stretches that could connect to the initial line. It is probable that these areas would be the first to develop and connect. Other areas that could eventually be connected to the proposed central sanitary sewer collection system are those areas where the density of development justifies the system extension. Proposed Construction Schedule Construction is expected to occur from May to October. Depending on the timing for funding and permit issuance, construction is anticipated to occur during the summers of 2003, 2004, and 2005. Project Purpose A combination of the following has highlighted the need for a coordinated effort at sewage collection and treatment in this area:

• The proximity to Mille Lacs Lake, the State’s second largest lake and a valuable recreation and fishery resource, as well as other lakes within the District;

• Wastewater discharge from existing ISTS’s potentially flowing into Mille Lacs Lake; (which is a very shallow lake with a relatively long detention time.);

• The presence of numerous wetlands, and a high groundwater table in many places; • The presence of a sole-source aquifer under the lake for the areas’ drinking water supply; and • Failing ISTSs, and, in many places, limited space for ISTS replacements that meet current

regulations. Using multiple treatment options, a combination of new ISTSs and a new collection transmission system, where appropriate, will minimize potential environmental risk to the area’s lakes and natural resources.


Beneficiaries The population continues to increase in this area. Census numbers show a population gain of almost 50 percent in the last ten years in the immediate project area. As the population continues to increase, the average density continues to increase making the appropriate use of ISTS’s potentially problematic. Direct and indirect recipients to a regional approach of a coordinated wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment system will include local citizens, citizens from across the State, and the general public from outside the State that enjoy the recreation and fishery benefits of Mille Lacs Lake. Other beneficiaries will be permanent residents, seasonal residents, and commercial establishments along the western side of Mille Lacs Lake that use the sole-source aquifer under the lake for their drinking water supply. This coordinated wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment system will limit further degradation of Mille Lacs Lake from wastewater sources.

b. Are future stages of this development including development on any outlots planned or likely to

happen? Yes No If yes, briefly describe future stages, relationship to present project, timeline and plans for environmental review.

There may be future extensions to the proposed initial collection system from areas within the District. The proposed initial collection system is designed to manage sewage from the entire service area; however, at this time; no preliminary alignments for extensions have been discussed or designed. Any future extension requests would be reviewed and approved based on the density of the area proposed to be served, distance from the initially constructed system, collection and WWTF capacity considerations, and economics. Areas inside the District would receive first priority before considering areas outside the District. Also, alternative methods to serve areas within the District, such as cluster systems or assistance with ISTS’s, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As subsequent expansion occurs, a new EAW will be required for those projects that exceed the mandatory category threshold of Minn. R. ch. 4410.4300. The following are some potential future growth areas within the District service area:

• Between the north side of Smith Lake and south of CSAH 26 (although there are wetlands on the east and hilly terrain on the west);

• North of CSAH 26 and south of the city of Garrison (there are a lot of wetlands in this area);

• Between ‘downtown’ city of Garrison and Maple Ridge Road (presence of wetlands will limit area of growth); and

• North of Garrison Creek and just west of TH 169.

c. Is this project a subsequent stage of an earlier project? Yes No If yes, briefly describe the past development, timeline and any past environmental review.

The flow from the District's proposed collection and transmission system project was discussed in the EA completed for the new WWTF. On April 24, 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) commenced a 30-calendar day comment period for the EA and the unsigned FONSI.


After public hearings, comments and responses, the EPA and the BIA signed a FONSI on January 17, 2000.

5. PROJECT MAGNITUDE DATA

Total Project Area (acres)

or Length (miles) 26.5

The proposed project will have the potential to initially serve about 900 acres (about 100,000 feet of gravity sewer line with about 200 feet of area served on each side). The length of the proposed initial sanitary sewer, both gravity and forcemain, is expected to be approximately 140,000 feet or 26.5 miles. The proposed initial system’s main components are designed to eventually handle flow from the entire District. The District service area has an estimated 563 EDU’s for homes, trailer houses, and apartments that are expected to be connected to the initial proposed collection system. The proposed system also anticipates connecting to commercial, industrial, or institutional building area (gross floor space), as well as an estimated 387 EDU’s for commercial, resort, motels, business, and campgrounds.

6. COVER TYPES. Estimate the acreage of the site with each of the following cover types before and

after development: Before After Before After Types 1-8 wetlands 1,800 1,800 Lawn/landscaping 1,200 1,200 Wooded/forest 2,360 2,360 Impervious surfaces 600 600 Brush/grassland 300 300 Other (describe) 1,100 1,100 Cropland 40 40 (lakes and ponds) TOTAL 7,400 7,400

Wetlands Portions of the proposed pipeline route would pass along the border of Type 2/3 wetland areas. Wherever possible, work within the wetland areas would be avoided. However, some work within the wetland areas would be necessary. The opening and closing of the trenches and the placement of the components of the collection system would result in some negative impacts on the wetland resources. Good management practices would minimize construction impacts and since the trench would be backfilled with the same material that would be excavated, no long-term loss of wetlands would be anticipated. Permanent access roads through the wetlands will be avoided. Directional boring of pipes will be used to avoid trenching in wetland areas when feasible. Sewer District Tap in Restrictions will prohibit any structures built in the wetlands from being hooked up to the sewer system. Wooded Areas The proposed project area lies within the Mille Lacs subsection of the Lauretian Mixed Forest Province. Pre-settlement cover types consisted of coniferous and mixed coniferous-hardwood species. The current cover type is primarily a mixture of second growth aspen, maple, birch, oak and other northern hardwoods. The sub-canopy layer consists of seedlings and saplings of the canopy trees along with shrub species that vary depending on the orientation and elevation of the ground surface. Scattered remnants of the original coniferous forest can be found in the area.


The majority of the immediate project area consists of roadway right-of-ways and rural residential areas. These areas are primarily grass covered, frequently mowed, and interspersed with native or ornamental trees. The proposed action would result in some initial construction disturbance to the area, but these impacts would disappear once the system is installed. Best management practices would minimize soil erosion during periods of soil disturbance and tree removal would be minimized. Because the trenches would be refilled and little of the system would be located above ground, there should be little permanent impact to the area’s vegetative cover types. The numbers above reflect both the sewer extension installation route and the areas where potential secondary growth may occur as a result of the proposed new service. These numbers could change as development occurs.

7. FISH, WILDLIFE, AND ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE RESOURCES. a. Identify fish and wildlife resources and habitats on or near the site and describe how they would

be affected by the project. Describe any measures to be taken to minimize or avoid impacts. (See Attachment 3 for correspondence from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Minnesota Natural Heritage database information.) Along Proposed Sewer Pipe Installation Route: Fish Resources and Habitats The proposed project area is located immediately adjacent to Mille Lacs Lake, the primary natural resource in the area. The lake supports an excellent cool water fishery, producing the second largest average annual harvest of walleye by weight in Minnesota. Other common species include northern pike, yellow perch, tulibee, various species of sunfish, black crappie, white sucker, burbot, bullhead, and rock bass. Many of these same species are found in the other water bodies that lie within or adjacent to the project area. These lakes include Whitefish Lake, Holt Lake, Smith Lake, Basnett Lake, Sunfish Lake, Fassett Lake, Maple Lake, and Borden Lake. The sport fishery draws a significant number of tourists to the area and is the primary economic stimulus for the immediate project area. How Fish Resources Would be Impacted by the Proposed Project From the standpoint of impacts on fish habitat, the project is expected to have a positive or beneficial impact by decreasing the amount of nutrients and partially treated effluent entering Mille Lacs Lake. Best management practices would minimize or eliminate the potential for erosion during construction, which could transport sediment into the lakes. Wildlife Resources and Habitats The immediate project area is already developed with a number of year-round and seasonal residences along with accompanying infrastructure (roadways, power lines, etc.). This development has occurred primarily along the shoreline of the areas lakes. There are large areas of undeveloped public lands to the west of the project area. Because of the proximity of these undeveloped areas, most of the species found in these relatively undisturbed areas can also be found in the project area. Common mammals include deer, mink, beaver, raccoon, gray squirrel, deer mouse, and chipmunk. Large carnivores reported in the general area include black bear, coyotes, timber wolves, fox and otters. Hawks, herons, ospreys, and eagles nest and


hunt throughout the area. Ruffed grouse are found in the upland areas. Other avian species typical of the project area are the Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Northern Flicker, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Duck, Red-winged Blackbird, and White-throated Sparrow. How Wild Life Resources Would be Impacted by the Proposed Project The construction and maintenance activities would have short-term, negative impacts on the fauna found in the area. The noise and activity associated with the construction of the proposed project would disturb and displace the creatures using the area. The mobility of the species involved, the small area impacted by the activity at any one time, and the relatively rapid return of the area to pre-construction condition should minimize most impacts associated with the project. On-going maintenance activities would have similar impacts for the same reasons. Proposed Measures to Minimize and/or Avoid Impacts As stated above, a large majority of the pipes will be located under existing roads or roadside ditches. This approach should minimize and/or avoid impacts to most fish and wildlife resources and habitats along the proposed sanitary sewer alignments. For any crossings of creeks, waterways, and TH 169, the construction documents will require the construction contractor to jack and bore casing pipe or use directional boring to avoid impacts to these resources and their adjacent habitats. For the entire proposed project, the construction contractor will be required to use best management practices for erosion and sediment control from MPCA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Storm Water Permit. As discussed more fully below, construction activities will be timed so as to protect sensitive species. Approximately 30 to 50 Ginseng plants were observed on a north-facing slope in the Maple Basswood Forest on the west side of TH 169. The proposed construction will be occurring within the right of way, along the west highway roadside ditch – part of which will be directionally bored. The ginseng plants were observed about 100 feet west of a power line corridor, which is about 100 feet west of the highway. Based on available information, the ginseng plants are located a considerable distance from the proposed construction area and would be impacted by the proposed placement of operational activities. Any proposed construction should be located approximately 200 feet from any observed ginseng plants. Within Areas of Potential Secondary Growth: Fish and Wildlife Resources and Habitats As discussed more fully in section 21, the areas most likely to be developed will consist of cropland (~100 acres), brush grassland (~500 acres), and wooded/forested (~700 acres). The fish and wild life resources and habitats are most likely to be typically occurring for Central Minnesota and consistent with the topography described above. Species found in the undeveloped area would be similar to those described above. How Wildlife Resources and Habitats Would be Impacted by the Proposed Project The areas’ fish and wildlife resources and habitats will experience some adverse level by any secondary growth that may occur in the service area. However, the impact will be minimized by the amount of public lands in this area. Most of the area south and west of Whitefish Lake, south and west of Holt Lake, and west of Smith Lake is Publicly Owned/Managed lands that are not assumed to be available for future development nor future extensions of the central sanitary sewer collection system.


Proposed Measures to be taken to Minimize and/or Avoid Impacts The District is working with the city of Garrison Planning & Zoning (P&Z), Crow Wing County P&Z, Mille Lacs County P&Z, MnDOT (on the TH 169 corridor), Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group (on a Clean Water Partnership Project for a Mille Lacs Lake), Watershed Management Plan, Minnesota Planning and the Local Solutions Alliance on a multi-jurisdictional Mille Lacs Lake Area Comprehensive Planning Project. Comprehensive planning will help minimize potential effects of secondary development by keeping growth at manageable levels. The District is also working on their own Sewer Use Ordinance to help control the number of hook-ups. They are planning to initiate one and/or a series of Non-point Education for Municipal Officials program presentations within the District to help educate as many stakeholders as possible. The sewer ordinance will prohibit hook ups in established wetlands and 100-year flood plains. This will also help the District manage secondary growth by helping to manage the rate at which development could occur. Negative affects on the floodplains will be reduced by following the following mitigation measures: 1) Sewer line routes have been planned to avoid construction activities in the floodplain as much as possible; 2) Any support structures and facilities will be located to allow for adequate flow of flood waters in the event of flooding; 3) Support structures will be designed to minimize accumulation of flood borne debris; and 4) Sewer District Tap in Restrictions will prevent any new structures built in the floodplains from being hooked up to the sewer system.

b. Are any state (endangered or threatened) species, rare plant communities or other sensitive

ecological resources such as native prairie habitat, colonial waterbird nesting colonies or regionally rare plant communities on or near the site? Yes No

If yes, describe the resource and how it would be affected by the project. Indicate if a site survey of the resources has been conducted and describe the results. If the DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research program has been contacted, give the correspondence

reference number. ERDB 20011186 Describe measures to minimize or avoid adverse impacts.

(See Attachment 1 for correspondence from the Minnesota Historical Society.) A site survey has not been conducted; however, the DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program (NHNRP) was contacted to search all the sections of land within the District except for two. The following two sections in T44N, R28W were left off the request for the indicated reasons:

Section 23: Located north of CSAH 26, south of the city of Garrison, along the western edge of the Sewer District: very low current density; a lot of wetlands; zoned green space – very low allowable density; and extensions from the initial proposed sanitary sewer would require a much greater density to be appropriate and make economical. Section 27: Located south of CSAH 26 on the western half of Smith Lake: very low current density; very hilly; presence of quite a bit of Publicly Managed Lands; zoned green space – very low allowable density; and extensions from the initial proposed sanitary sewer would require a much greater density to be appropriate and make economical.


How Natural Resources Could Potentially be Affected by the Proposed Project The DNR Natural Heritage database has 31 listed occurrences, consisting of six animal and three plant species noted as present, in the general project area (Attachment 3). The DNR indicated particular concern for three species: the Bald Eagle, the Red-Shouldered Hawk, and the American Ginseng plant. The majority of the hawk sitings were located in areas removed from the proposed project area. In addition, the proposed construction actions would not be substantially different than existing human activity patterns. An eagle’s nest, located approximately one-fourth mile from one of the proposed construction sites, has been periodically active. If the nest is active during the years of construction, no project activities will be carried out within one-fourth mile of the nest until after July 1, the normal fledging period for eagles. The plant species is located outside of the potential impact area of the proposed actions. After consultation with the DNR, it is the Corps determination that the proposed construction and operation would not impact these species listed on the Natural Heritage database. The DNR gave preliminary concurrence with this determination, but reserved the right to re-evaluate when final design was completed. Two Federally protected species are listed as potentially present in the proposed project area: the endangered Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) and the threatened Gray Wolf (Canis lupus). Because of the existing conditions in the project area and the scope of the proposed actions, it is the Corps determination that the activities would result in no additional impact on these species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with this determination.

8. PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES. Will the project involve the physical or

hydrologic alteration (dredging, filling, stream diversion, outfall structure, diking, and impoundment) of any surface waters such as a lake, pond, wetland, stream or drainage ditch? Yes No If yes, identify water resource affected. Describe alternatives considered and proposed mitigation measures to minimize impacts. Give the DNR Protected Waters Inventory (PWI) number(s) if the water resources affected are on the PWI. For any crossings of creeks, waterways, and TH 169, the construction documents would require the construction contractor to jack and bore casing pipe or use directional boring. The construction documents would also require the contractor to adhere to the erosion and sediment control practices contained in the MPCA General Storm Water Permit for Construction Activity (temporary ground cover, silt fence, etc.). The following analyses was performed to determine the potential effects on the hydrology of Mille Lacs Lake by the removal of the volume of water that would ordinarily flow into the lake from existing septic systems:

• The watershed of Mille Lacs Lake is roughly 400 square miles. • The water surface of Mille Lacs Lake, about 200 square miles, encompasses roughly 50

percent of the watershed all by itself. There is also a dam at the lake’s outlet. Considering the dam and the fact that the lake surface is so large compared to its watershed, the effects of evaporation from the lake and rainfall on the lake surface itself have a very large impact on lake levels, not withstanding what happens on the “non-Mille Lacs Lake” portion of the watershed.

• With the watershed of roughly 400 square miles and about 200 square miles of Mille Lacs Lake water surface, there is roughly 200 square miles of “non-Mille Lacs Lake” area remaining in the watershed.


• Of this roughly 200 square miles of “non-Mille Lacs Lake” area remaining in the watershed, the District takes up about 7,400 acres, or roughly 11.5 square miles.

• The District’s 11.5 square miles is about 2.9 percent of the total watershed or about 5.8 percent of the “non-Mille Lacs Lake” portion of the watershed.

• Of the District’s 7,400 acres, about 2,900 acres is lakes or wetlands. • Thus, there is roughly 4,500 acres, or 7.0 square miles, of “dry” land remaining for

development. These 7.0 square miles are only about 1.8 percent of the total watershed. • It should be noted that not all of this “dry” land is presently built on, nor is the proposed

sanitary sewer going to be servicing every single point of “dry” land in the District. The conclusion of the analysis indicates that the removal of septic water from roughly 7.0 square miles, or 1.8 percent of the watershed (if it was all built on); will not have significant or measurable affects on the lake level. It is more likely – since the lake surface itself is 200 square miles, or 50 percent of the watershed – that any such ‘septic system removal’ affects will be minimized by the volume of water falling on the lake and the evaporation from the lake surface itself.

9. WATER USE. Will the project involve installation or abandonment of any water wells, connection

to or changes in any public water supply or appropriation of any ground or surface water (including dewatering)? Yes No If yes, as applicable, give location and purpose of any new wells; public supply affected, changes to be made, and water quantities to be used; the source, duration, quantity and purpose of any appropriations; and unique well numbers and DNR appropriation permit numbers, if known. Identify any existing and new wells on the site map. If there are no wells known on site, explain methodology used to determine. The proposed project will not involve the installation or abandonment of any water wells, connection to or changes in any public water supply, or appropriation of any ground or surface water. The construction of the proposed sanitary sewer collection and transmission system will only involve temporary construction dewatering during the installation of underground facilities. Field surveys and investigations have located as many individual private wells as were visible and/or flagged by private property owners. Sanitary sewer alignments will be set with these wells in mind. Soil borings and detailed information on depth to water table and soil types have not yet been obtained. Thus, at this time, it is difficult to determine the quantity or duration of dewatering that will be needed during construction or the construction dewatering impact to private wells. However, dewatering is expected to be temporary and should not permanently alter groundwater levels. Bottled, potable water may need to be made available by the District/construction contractor to private well users in the areas of temporary construction dewatering, but it is anticipated that the private wells will re-establish themselves after temporary construction dewatering is stopped. Water from the construction de-watering will consist of the present ground water. It will be discharged in such a manner as to prevent erosion. The construction contractor would be required to conform to all MPCA, DNR, and Minnesota Department of Heath (MDH) rules on dewatering. Also see the letter from the MDH (Attachment 5) on various well setbacks and other requirements. Appropriate setbacks from existing well locations picked up during the field surveys will be accounted for as appropriate.


10. WATER-RELATED LAND USE MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. Does any part of the project

involve a shoreland zoning district, a delineated 100-year floodplain, or a state or federally designated wild or scenic river land use district? Yes No If yes, identify the district and discuss project compatibility with district land use restrictions.

As discussed more fully in section 19, the proposed project is compatible with District land use restrictions. A large part of the District is within 1,000 feet of a lake and within Shoreland Ordinance areas/Shoreland Overlay zoning districts. The city of Garrison P&Z, Crow Wing County P&Z, and Mille Lacs County P&Z have authority over the service area. The District has been coordinating with the three P&Z entities on land uses, as well as with the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group. At this time, the Watershed Management Group is only advisory and does not have the authority to implement land use restrictions.

11. WATER SURFACE USE. Will the project change the number or type of watercraft on any water

body? Yes No If yes, indicate the current and projected watercraft usage and discuss any potential overcrowding or conflicts with other uses.

12. EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION. Give the acreage to be graded or excavated and the cubic

yards of soil to be moved. 70 acres; 20,000 cubic yards. Describe any steep slopes or highly erodible soils and identify them on the site map. Describe any

erosion and sedimentation control measures to be used during and after project construction.

The size of acreage to be graded, and the volume of soil to be moved, are estimated according to the possible trenching, placement, backfilling, and surface restoration involved in the installation of the sanitary sewer pipes. The material trenched would be used to backfill the trenches. There should be no fill remaining after construction and the surfaces will be restored to their pre-construction elevation and condition. Summary of Requirements Included in the Storm-water Management Plan The Storm-water Management Plan would be based on the MPCA’s General Storm Water Permit for Construction Activity. This permit would be included in the construction documents and the sanitary sewer contractor would be required to comply with the erosion and sediment control practices contained in this permit. It would be the responsibility of the selected construction contractor to prepare and submit a specific plan prior to construction based on their means, methods, techniques, and sequencing of construction. The Storm-water Management Plan for construction associated with growth after the sanitary sewer system is installed would be the responsibility of the three zoning entities within the District. Local Storm-water Ordinances The city of Garrison, Crow Wing County, and Mille Lacs County do not have specific storm-water ordinances. However, the Shoreland Ordinances do include some storm-water provisions and do limit the amount of impervious surface to no more than 25 percent of the lot. Also, there is an effort underway to work on a coordinated Storm-water Management Ordinance that can then be adopted by the three P&Z entities within the District. There are specific and approved methods for controlling storm-water runoff, such as those mentioned below. The Ordinances will include approved methods to address runoff from secondary development.


Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures to be used during and after Construction The MPCA’s General Storm Water Permit for Construction Activity will be required during construction. After construction, for developments over one acre, this permit will also be required. The permit would include methods for temporary erosion and sediment control during construction, such as: temporary ground cover, silt fences, flotation silt curtains, horizontal slope grading, temporary sedimentation basins, pipe outlet energy dissipation, and hay bale ditch checks. The permit would also include methods for permanent erosion and sediment control after construction, such as: permanent vegetative ground cover, grassed swales, permanent sedimentation ponds or structures/manholes, and pipe outlet energy dissipation. No “steep slopes” will be permanently impacted by the construction of the proposed sanitary sewer system. During construction, sands and other erodible soils may be exposed. Also, roadway ditch slopes on the order of three horizontal to one vertical (33 percent) will be impacted at various locations throughout the District. However, these will be short-term construction impacts. The construction documents will require the contractor to restore the areas to their pre-construction slopes and grades and to re-establish permanent vegetative cover in these and other areas disturbed by construction activities.

13. WATER QUALITY – SURFACE-WATER RUNOFF. a. Compare the quantity and quality of site runoff before and after the project. Describe permanent

controls to manage or treat runoff. Describe any storm water pollution prevention plans.

The proposed project should not impact surface-water runoff quantity and quality. The potential growth that may occur as a result of the proposed project could produce additional impervious surface area. The B&D Report indicated that, using present zoning regulations across the 7,400 acre District, a build-out without a sanitary sewer system could result in about 566 acres of impervious area. A build-out with a new sanitary sewer system could result in about 572 acres of impervious area. The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) August 30, 2000, Drainage Manual’s Appendix B contains TP-40 Rainfall Intensity Curves for 24-hour rainfalls (in inches) for different storm events. A 2-year rainfall in the District is about 2.58 inches, a 5-year is 3.33 inches, a 10-year is 3.91 inches, a 50-year is 5.02 inches, and a 100-year is 5.60 inches. Applying each storm’s 24-hour rainfall inches with the impervious area gives a rough approximation of the amount as shown in the columns below.

Storm Event Unsewered Runoff Sewered Runoff 2-year 122 ac-ft 123 ac-ft 5-year 157 ac-ft 159 ac-ft 10-year 184 ac-ft 186 ac-ft 50-year 237 ac-ft 239 ac-ft 100-year 264 ac-ft 267 ac-ft


A multi-day snowmelt will have no significant differences due to impervious changes between present and ‘build-out’ scenarios due to the ground being frozen. The best approach to addressing the runoff is to have effective education for all participants in the development process, appropriate zoning regulations, and proper enforcement. The Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group, a consortium of Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Crow Wing County governmental entities and groups, is currently working on an Erosion Control and Storm-water Management Plan for the watershed of the lake. The District continues to encourage the three P&Z entities within the District to adopt this or their own similar Plan.

b. Identify routes and receiving water bodies for runoff from the site; include major

downstream water bodies as well as the immediate receiving waters. Estimate impact runoff on the quality of receiving waters. Routes and Receiving Bodies of Water for Runoff The entire District lies within the Rum River watershed. Mille Lacs Lake is the headwaters for the Rum River. Ultimately, all of the sub-watersheds affected by the proposed sanitary sewer project flow into Mille Lacs Lake. Thus, the major downstream receiving water body for this project is Mille Lacs Lake. The immediate routes and receiving bodies of waters for this project consist of the lakes, many wetlands, and a few streams within the District. Most of the sub-watersheds within the District drain into the many lakes and wetlands that are within the District rather than into rivers or other watercourses. The District has approximately six miles of perennial streams. Most of the streams are bordered by wetlands. The ‘major’ lakes within the District include Whitefish Lake, Captive Lake, Holt Lake, Smith Lake, Sunfish Lake, Fawcett Lake, Maple Lake, Borden Lake, and, of course, Mille Lacs Lake. The streams include Whitefish Creek, Sequchie Creek, unnamed watercourse entering Mille Lacs Lake in St. Alban’s Bay north of CSAH 26, unnamed watercourse entering Mille Lacs Lake south of the city of Garrison, and Garrison Creek. Potential Impact of Storm-water Runoff on the Quality of the Receiving Waters The potential impact of storm-water runoff on the quality of the receiving waters during construction may include some temporary impacts (short term increased turbidity for example). These potential impacts should be minimized by compliance with conditions of the required MPCA’s General Storm Water Permit for Construction Activity. The permit includes requirements for the methods of temporary erosion and sediment control during construction such as: temporary ground cover, silt fences, flotation silt curtains, horizontal slope grading, temporary sedimentation basins, pipe outlet energy dissipation, and hay bale ditch checks. The permit also includes methods for permanent erosion and sediment control after construction such as: permanent vegetative ground cover, grassed swales, permanent sedimentation ponds or structures/manholes, and pipe outlet energy dissipation.


Current zoning ordinances should minimize any potential water quality impacts to the receiving waters from storm-water runoff. The B&D Report estimated the impervious surface for a build-out scenario and its watershed impact. The risk assessment was based on an analysis developed under the University of Connecticut Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program, which is now operating in a number of states, including Minnesota. The thresholds for risk are as follows:

• Less than 10 percent impervious – No or little general impact on watershed functions – considered ‘protected’

• 10 percent to 25 percent impervious – Watershed functions likely to be comprised – considered ‘impacted’

• Over 25 percent impervious – General watershed functions are degraded – considered ‘degraded’

The existing levels of impervious coverage, as measured on a sub-watershed basis, are relatively low – all less than 10 percent with the District’s portion of the Lake Mille Lacs sub-watershed at 8.4 percent being the only one approaching the impacted threshold. When the build-out analysis was applied, future levels of impervious coverage, as measured on a sub-watershed basis, were still relatively low. All areas were expected to be less than 10 percent except for the District’s portion of the Lake Mille Lacs sub-watershed which, at 18.7 percent, was the only one within the impacted threshold. The remaining sub-watersheds remained well below the 10 percent threshold, indicating protected sub-watersheds. Many of the large wetland areas within the District are zoned green space or open space with corresponding large minimum lot sizes to restrict dense development (besides pertinent wetland regulations). Through education, appropriate requirements, and enforcement of existing zoning, negative impacts on receiving waters from runoff due to secondary growth should be minimized. The District includes zoning requirements that may affect the portion of the sub-watersheds within the District. All of the sub-watersheds include significant areas outside the District, particularly the Mille Lacs Lake sub-watershed. Thus, the land uses and land management practices outside the District will still have the potential to impact the quality of the receiving waters due to runoff.

c. Describe waste treatment methods or pollution prevention efforts and give estimates of

composition after treatment. Identify receiving waters, including major downstream water bodies, and estimate the discharge impact on the quality of receiving waters. If the project involves on-site sewage systems, discuss the suitability of site conditions for such systems. Information relating to the WWTF has been included to provide context for the information contained in this environmental review document. The scope of this review is limited to the project as described in section 4: Proposed Project and Project Description. In the latter part of the 1990s, an ad-hoc committee representing non-reservation areas north of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Band) and the Band worked together on a regional solution to the area’s wastewater treatment needs. The ad-hoc committee oversaw the preparation of a facility plan, (completed in 1998), which reviewed several wastewater treatment options. A determination was made by the committee that the Band would construct a new wastewater treatment facility to treat both Band and non-Band wastewater.


After the determination was made, two entities were formed: the District and MLWM. MLWM, a not-for-profit corporation, was formed under the laws of the Band to own and operate the new WWTF. The new WWTF, currently under construction, is located approximately 1.5 miles south of the District along Mille Lacs CSAH 25, or Timber Trail Road. The WWTF is expected to be operational in September 2003. Previous Environmental Review Done For the WWTF As part of the process of developing a new WWTF, the EPA oversaw the completion of an EA for the new WWTF. On April 24, 2000, the EPA and the BIA commenced a 30-calendar day comment period for the EA and the unsigned FONSI. After public hearings, comments, and responses, on January 17, 2001, the EPA and the BIA signed the FONSI, based on the April 2000 EA with some additions (updated draft NPDES Permit and responses to comments). The FONSI found the following:

• Shifting wastewater treatment from ISTS’s to a central WWTF should contribute to and improve public health and safety.

• Impacts to public health and safety are mitigated through appropriate effluent limits and conditions of the NPDES permit for the WWTF.

• It is possible that this project may induce increased development in the service area. • Measures will be taken to protect wetland integrity and water quality. • Threatened and endangered species should not be jeopardized nor will there be

adverse impacts to archeological or historic resources.

WWTF Permit Requirements The new WWTF will treat wastewater using mechanical and biological processes, via sequential batch reactors. EPA issued a NPDES Permit to MLWM that limits the effluent flow to an average of 625,000 gallons per day. The NPDES Permit set the following effluent limits for the WWTF: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of 25 mg/L, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) of 30 mg/L, and phosphorus of 1.0 mg/L. Flow into the WWTF from New Sewer Extension The District and MLWM have negotiated and entered into a legal agreement that addresses flows, loadings, responsibilities, and the relationship between the two entities. The agreement also includes the practical and legal processes for dispute resolution, as well as consequences should either party fail to perform (i.e. MLWM not build the WWTF, or the District not hook-up to the WWTF). MLWM has a similar agreement with the Band to treat their sewage. The quantity of wastewater from existing development within the District, that will be served by the proposed initial collection system, will have an average flow of approximately 208,000 gallons per day. The quantity of wastewater from possible future development within the District connected to an expanded collection system will have a maximum average flow of approximately 325,000 gallons per day. The quality of the wastewater from the existing development, within the District, that will be served by the proposed initial collection system will come from a mix of residential and commercial sources resulting in a medium strength domestic wastewater composition with the following loadings: BOD of 250 mg/L, TSS of 250 mg/L, and phosphorus of 9 mg/L.


The quality of the wastewater from any future development and connections, using current zoning, should be very similar and is not anticipated to change from the medium strength domestic wastewater composition listed above. Discharge Point and Receiving Waters The new WWTF will replace the Band’s existing Vineland Sewage Lagoon system, which discharged into Mille Lacs Lake. The new WWTF will discharge its effluent into a wetland that flows into a tributary to Ogechie Lake and the Rum River.

14. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND SOIL CONDITIONS. a. Approximate depth (in feet) to Groundwater: 3 minimum; 8 average. Bedrock: >100 minimum; >100 average. Describe any of the following geologic site hazards to groundwater and also identify them on

the site map: sinkholes, shallow limestone formations or karst conditions. Describe measures to avoid or minimize environmental problems due to any of these hazards. Soil borings along the route of the proposed sanitary sewer collection and transmission system have not yet been obtained. Therefore, the above information is approximate and a best estimate based on information obtained from several different sources. The following sources were used in the assessment: field observations by design team members, discussions with local property owners, some previous soil borings, Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation Service Soil Survey and information, Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation Survey Draft Soil Survey, and a Geologic Map of Minnesota. The General Soil Map in the April 1965 Soil Survey for Crow Wing County, Minnesota (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Spark Control System) indicates that the area is within the Hibbing-Zim association. The soil reconnaissance mapping units identified within the District are: Lake beaches (LB); Alluvial land (AD); Marsh (MR); Hibbing-Chetek Association undulating (HCB) and rolling (HCC); Nokay-Peat Association (NP); Lino-Peat Association (LP); Warman-Halder Peat Association (WP); Trommald-Peat Association (TP); Peat (P); Menahga-Nymore Association nearly level (MNA); Chetek-Onamia Association nearly level (COA) and rolling (COC); and Nokay-Brainerd Association nearly level (NBA). As can be seen, the soils vary from organic, poorly drained, peat-type soils to non-organic, well-drained, sandy-type soils. The Mille Lacs County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently preparing an updated soil survey to the existing published 1927 survey referenced below. According to staff at the Mille Lacs County Soil and Water Conservation District, the soil has not changed since the last published soil survey; however, there are some new definitions and better delineation between soil types since 1927. The 1927 Soil Map and Soil Survey for Mille Lacs County, Minnesota (USDA) indicates the following self-descriptive soil units within the District: Milica silt loam (Ms); Milica fine sandy loam (Mf); Peat (P); Adolph silty clay loam (Ac); Beach sand (Bd); Freer silt loam (Fs); Milica loam (Ml); and Milica very fine sandy loam (Mv).


15. SOLID WASTES, HAZARDOUS WASTES, STORAGE TANKS. a. Describe types, amounts and compositions of solid or hazardous wastes, including solid animal

manure, sludge and ash, produced during construction and operation. Identify method and location of disposal. For projects generating municipal solid waste, indicate if there is a source separation plan; describe how the project will be modified for recycling. If hazardous waste is generated, indicate if there is a hazardous waste minimization plan and routine hazardous waste reduction assessments.

A minimal amount of solid wastes would be generated from workers during the construction phase of this project. The solid wastes would be placed near the construction areas and disposed of in a permitted facility.

b. Identify any toxic or hazardous materials to be used or present at the site and identify

measures to be used to prevent them from contaminating groundwater. If the use of toxic or hazardous materials will lead to a regulated waste, discharge or emission, discuss any alternatives considered to minimize or eliminate the waste, discharge or emission.

No toxic or hazardous materials would be used or stored on the site.

c. Indicate the number, location, size and use of any above or below ground tanks to store

petroleum products or other materials, except water. Describe any emergency response containment plans.

The MPCA storage tank website was reviewed and seven sites were identified. Based on a preliminary review of these sites, the proposed alignments do not appear to impact any sites. If any unknown sites are found during construction, the proper notifications and appropriate avoidance or mitigation approaches will be followed.

16. TRAFFIC. Parking spaces added: 0 Existing spaces (if project involves expansion): 0 Estimated total average daily traffic generated: 0 Estimated maximum peak hour traffic generated (if known) and its timing: Not applicable Provide an estimate of the impact on traffic congestion affected roads and describe any traffic improvements necessary. If the project is within

the Twin Cities metropolitan area, discuss its impact on the regional transportation system.

Currently, local traffic follows local roads out to TH 169, which is the main arterial road for this area, and then proceeds to areas within or outside of the District. MnDOT is presently designing four-lane improvements to the existing two-lane TH 169. The MnDOT Draft EIS for the proposed expansion of TH 169 Land Use Study considered the District’s minimum state standards for sewered areas when developing their growth and land use models. There are currently local and county road networks within the developable areas of the District. The traffic impact resulting from possible new development attributed to a new sewer should not be significantly different from the projected growth that is already accounted for in present roadway improvement projects. For example, Crow Wing County Highway Department already uses a 20-year traffic projection factor of almost 2 – traffic almost doubles in 20-years. As a result of the construction of a centralized wastewater collection infrastructure system in the District, the current zoning regulations will allow an additional 3,400 over the build-out allowed in the same area if the area remained unsewered area. These 3,400 additional units will certainly


increase average daily traffic (ADT) counts on state, county and local roads. Common design estimates for increased ADT on a per unit basis ranges between five and ten trips per unit per day. Applying this design factor could increase daily traffic counts by 17,000 to over 34,000 trips per day. This would equate to an estimate of six million or more trips per year as a result of the increased density due to the installation of sewer services.

17. NEARBY RESOURCES. Are any of the following resources on or in proximity to the site? a. Archaeological, historical, or architectural resources? Yes No b. Prime or unique farmlands or land within an agricultural preserve? Yes No c. Designated parks, recreation areas, or trails? Yes No d. Scenic views and vistas? Yes No e. Other unique resources? Yes No If yes, describe the resource and identify any project-related impacts on the resources. Describe

any measures to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. a. The proposed project is currently being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's implementing regulations. The St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers is the lead federal agency for the Section 106 review. The Section 106 review process applies to all federal agencies when an undertaking is the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects to historic properties. An historic property is any archaeological site, building, structure, or property of cultural significance to a group of people that is listed on or considered eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places. The federal agency completes this process in consultation with historic preservation officers, partnering agencies and other consulting parties.

For the proposed project, the jurisdictional boundary for historic preservation officers lies at the county line between Crow Wing and Mille Lacs counties, which is the boundary for the Mille Lacs Lake Indian Reservation. The Minnesota Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has jurisdiction in Crow Wing County for archaeological resources and in both Crow Wing and Mille Lacs counties for historic structures. The Mille Lacs Lake Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) has jurisdiction over archaeological sites within the boundaries of the Mille Lacs Lake Indian Reservation.

An overview of the cultural history of the project vicinity along the western shore of Mille Lacs Lake would reveal a rich and diverse history extending back in time thousands of years. The area has been the subject of archaeological investigations over the past 100, or more, years. One of the most recent and most relevant archaeological surveys has been conducted for the TH 169 project by Foth & Van Dyke. During the course of that survey, ten archaeological sites and four archaeological find spots were identified within the area of potential effects for the sewer line project. Subsequent to the TH 169 survey, Foth & Van Dyke has conducted an archaeological survey for the District. This survey covered those portions of the project corridor that were not covered by the TH 169 survey. No additional archaeological sites were identified, but the extensive archaeological resources in the Wigwam Bay area were further defined and the boundaries of that site were expanded.

The proposed project will avoid affecting all of the archaeological sites identified in the above referenced surveys except 21ML81, the archaeological site along Wigwam Bay. A determination that no archaeological properties will be affected in Crow Wing County has been coordinated with the SHPO, providing that there are no concerns by Dakota or Ojibwe groups.


Tribal coordination for archaeological sites in Crow Wing County is ongoing. A determination of effect for archaeological sites in Mille Lacs County has not yet been coordinated with the THPO. Completion of THPO coordination is pending resolution of concerns pertaining to 21ML81.

Wigwam Bay is an archaeologically and culturally sensitive area. It is an area containing high potential for human burials as suggested by the past presence of numerous burial mounds. Although most of the mounds no longer have a surface expression, the potential for subsurface burial features is high. Prehistoric archaeological site 21ML81 is located on the upland and shoreline areas adjacent to the bay from stations 0+00 to approximately 41+00. This site has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Although there is localized disturbance throughout this area, large portions of this site remain undisturbed. Careful comparison of the project features, such as alignment, location of manhole covers, location of hookups, etc., to the archeological survey data will be necessary. If additional sensitive resources are detected, then further cultural work will be necessary.

If avoidance of undisturbed portions of 21ML81 is not possible, a memorandum of agreement stipulating appropriate mitigation will be drafted between the Mille Lacs Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, the St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers and other agencies involved in the project. Before the project may proceed in those areas, the conditions of the agreement will need to be satisfied.

The Minnesota Historic Preservation Office, which has jurisdiction over all historic structures in the project area, has identified five historic structures potentially affected by the project. The following is a list of those structures and the proposed measures to avoid affecting the structures. Based on the proposed avoidance measures, the preservation office has agreed that the structures will not be adversely affected.

Whitefish Creek Bridge (Br. No. 3355) The minimum clearance from the pipe to the bridge is approximately 15 feet. Directional boring methods, crossing at right angles, will be used to about eight feet with no surface disturbance except for installation/exit pits. The excavation for an installation/exit pit for this depth, along an adjacent area to temporarily stockpile excavated soil, is estimated to take up a maximum area of approximately 40 feet by 40 feet (averaging 20 feet either side of the centerline and 40 feet up and down the centerline). Directional bore installation/exit pits can be located 150 feet south of the creek and 600 feet north of the creek.

Sequchie Creek Area and Bridge (Br. No. 3111) The proposed sewer line will be installed between the manholes on either side of the creek (each approximately 170 feet back from the centerline) using directional boring. The minimum clearance from the pipe to the bridge is about 20 feet. The underground alignment of the pipe at the surface will be about in the bottom of the roadside ditch. The pipe will be bored about seven feet deep with no surface disturbance except for installation/exit pits. Culvert at St. Alban's Bay The minimum clearance from the pipe to the culvert is about 40 feet. The pipe will be bored about eight feet deep with no surface disturbance except for installation/exit pits.


Garrison Underpass (Br. No. 5625) The minimum clearance from the pipe to the end of the culvert, under the southbound lanes, is about 30 feet. Directional boring methods will be used with no surface disturbance except for installation/exit pits. Garrison Concourse The businesses in Garrison, along Trunk Highway 169 from the back, or west, side. The proposed pipeline in this area (going down Monroe Street and the westerly frontage road along Highway 18) will be installed by the open cut method. The pipe will be about 13 feet deep and the cut at the surface will be about 30 feet wide. One side of the trench, about 20 feet wide, will be used to temporarily stockpile the excavated soil. Although an historic architectural survey has not been completed for the entire project corridor, Gemini Research has conducted an architectural survey for the TH 169 corridor. This survey covered a large portion of the sewer line project identifying the above listed properties. Because the proposed project has a limited potential to cause effects to other historic structures along the corridor, additional survey of the corridor is not warranted. This determination has been preliminarily coordinated with the SHPO. Before project construction can begin, the Section 106 review will need to be completed.

b. The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service has been contacted. According to a June

25, 2001, letter from Mike Lieser, Area Resource Soil Scientist, the impact to existing farmland is minimal.

c. Except for the MnDOT Pike Point Rest Area on the east (lake) side of TH 169 on the south side

of Garrison Bay, no historic sites are known along the proposed sanitary sewer alignments. d. There are scenic views and vistas along Mille Lacs Lake and the other lakes in the area. This

project may minimally impact these areas as a result of the proposed placement of lift station electrical and control panels.

e. Mille Lacs Lake and the area around it is a unique resource. As mentioned before, Mille Lacs

Lake is the State’s second largest lake and a valuable recreational and fishery resource. However, construction should not, except for very short and temporary time periods, interfere with this unique resource.

f. As per a discussion between USDA Rural Development staff and EPA staff, the sole source

aquifer will not be negatively impacted as a result of the proposed project. 18. VISUAL IMPACTS. Will the project create adverse visual impacts during construction or

operation? Such as glare from intense lights, lights visible in wilderness areas and large visible plumes from cooling towers or exhaust stacks? Yes No If yes, explain.

19. COMPATIBILITY WITH PLANS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS. Is the project subject to

an adopted local comprehensive plan, land use plan or regulation, or other applicable land use, water, or resource management plan of a local, regional, state or federal agency? Yes No

If yes, describe the plan, discuss its compatibility with the project and explain how any conflicts will be resolved. If no, explain.


The District lies within the authority of three local P&Z jurisdictions: the city of Garrison, Crow Wing County, and Mille Lacs County. Each of these three entities has adopted a comprehensive land use plan, zoning districts, shoreland and wetland ordinances, and other land use regulations. In addition to the three local P&Z jurisdictions, some other government entities have some planning jurisdiction over construction and development that occurs in the planning corridor. These include the District and the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group (Clean Water Partnership Program). The proposed project is consistent with local land use regulations. The following sections attempt to summarize current local land use plans and regulations for each jurisdiction: City of Garrison (City) The City’s Comprehensive Plan (G Plan) identifies ongoing problems of development on the protected waters of Lake Mille Laces and the planning efforts regarding the development of sanitary wastewater treatment. The G Plan identifies provision of sewer and water to commercial areas as a primary goal. The allowed density and land use in the City’s four zoning districts are not contingent upon access to a sewer system. Minimum lot sizes for the zoning districts range from 20,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. The City has adopted the State Shoreland Ordinance, including the State’s stormwater provisions. The City does not administer a storm-water ordinance; however, the shoreland ordinance includes storm-water management provisions and limits the amount of impervious surface in shoreland lots to 25 percent of the lot. Crow Wing County (CWC) The CWC’s Comprehensive Plan (CW Plan) includes a number of goals that affect the way development should occur in CWC. They include minimizing the harmful effects of storm-water runoff, limiting the density of development on lands adjoining surface waters, controlling land uses that have a detrimental effect on water quality, and planning for water management on a watershed basis. The CW Plan recommends priorities such as: allowing cluster development concepts that emphasize preservation of natural resources, common sewage disposal fields, service roads, common open space, promoting the development of high quality affordable subdivisions near existing trade centers, and protecting the lake and river resources, water quality, fish populations, aquatic resources, and shore land resources. CWC has eight zoning districts within the District. Most of the land in CWC is zoned Green Space which only allows seasonal residential with a 2.5 acre minimum or campgrounds or other open uses. The next three most prominent zones are Agriculture, with a 15-acre minimum lot size; Rural Residential, with a 2.5-acre minimum lot size; and residential, with a 20,000 square feet minimum lot size. The remaining districts (three commercial districts and Public) are small portions of the District’s total CWC area. All the districts include a provision that allows for a 20 percent reduction in minimum lot size if the lot has access to a sanitary sewer. CWC has a Shoreland Ordinance that is separate from the zoning ordinance. The minimum lot sizes for sewered lake shore areas are generally smaller than allowed under the base zoning district, while for unsewered areas the shoreland standard is generally the more restrictive standard. The CWC does not have a storm-water ordinance, but the Shoreland Ordinance includes some storm-water provisions and a 25 percent per lot ceiling on impervious surface.


Mille Lacs County (MLC) MLC’s Comprehensive Plan (ML Plan) puts emphasis on directing growth to existing urban areas, protecting community character and natural resources, encouraging cluster developments, and subdivisions dedicating a sufficient amount of land for future park/open space uses or equivalent funds, as well as preserving the MLC’s recreational and tourist amenities (locate tourist-oriented business to protect the existing environmental resources as well as to encourage tourism, and promote commercial development in close proximity to the intersections of State Highways). The ML Plan also discourages the indiscriminate extension of public utilities and services over large undeveloped/"unserviced” parcels to serve small pockets of scattered development. The MLC has three zoning districts within the District. Two areas are shoreland districts (S-2 and S-4), while the remaining district is Residential (R-1). Minimum lot sizes in the R-1 district are one acre, and are not affected by whether the area has access to a sanitary sewer. The shoreland districts follow the requirements of the State Shoreland Ordinance, where allowed lot sizes vary according to several variables including sewer access, riparian location, and lake classification (minimum lot sizes varying from 10,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet). MLC does not have a stormwater ordinance, but the Shoreland Ordinance includes some stormwater provisions and a 25 percent per lot ceiling on impervious surface. District The District was created to address the wastewater management issues along and near the west shore of Mille Lacs Lake. The District is concentrating its efforts on overseeing the construction, administration, maintenance, and operation of the new sewer line. They are coordinating with the three entities’ P&Z to enact and enforce regulations that manage growth. For example, the District still has the authority to approve hook-ups to the sewer system. This authority can be used to assist the three existing P&Z entities in helping to manage growth and enforce zoning regulations. The District has already received verbal commitments from the existing P&Z authorities to include District approval of sewer hook-ups in their subdivision and permitting procedures so that developers only have to go through one process. With this hook-up approval authority, the District can assist the three existing P&Z entities in helping to manage growth and enforce zoning regulations. Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group This group, a coalition of Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, and Aitkin governments and other entities, is working on a Clean Water Partnership Program to diagnose threats to the water resources of the Mille Lacs Lake watershed and to develop appropriate responses to any threats. The Watershed Project has completed its analysis and Phase I Report (September 2002) and is looking at beginning Phase II, or the implementation phase. The Watershed Management Group is also working with the Local Solutions Alliance (administered by Minnesota Planning) to conduct a watershed-wide land planning project. The Watershed Management Group has no formal land use planning powers, but is investigating the possibility of a using Joint Powers Agreements for the land use planning process.

20. IMPACTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES. Will new or expanded utilities,

roads, other infrastructure or public services be required to serve the project? Yes No

If yes, describe the new or additional infrastructure or services needed. (Note: any infrastructure that is a connected action with respect to the project must be assessed in the EAW; see EAW Guidelines for details.)


New or Additional Infrastructure or Services Needed. The only new or additional infrastructure or services needed to serve the proposed sanitary sewer collection system will be electric connections to the new lift stations. These connections will connect to the existing electrical service infrastructure already present in the area. The areas identified for potential growth are already undergoing infrastructure improvements. Census numbers show population gains of approximately 50 percent in the last ten years for the immediate service area. Thus, roads are already being graveled and paved (many of the roads have already been cut in and their roadbeds rough graded) and electric, telephone, and other similar services are currently being extended from their existing main lines to serve the present growth in this area. Any additional development that might be enabled by the proposed sanitary sewer project would require the construction or expansion of infrastructure and public services such as electric and telephone utility extensions, driveway or minor road extensions, additional private wells, or creation of stormwater infrastructure.

21. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS. Minn. R. 4410.1700, subp. 7, item B requires that the RGU consider

the “cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects” when determining the need for an environmental impact statement. Identify any past, present or reasonably foreseeable future projects that may interact with the project described in this EAW in such a way as to cause cumulative impacts. Describe the nature of the cumulative impacts and summarize any other available information relevant to determining whether there is potential for significant environmental effects due to cumulative impacts (or discuss each cumulative impact under appropriate item(s) elsewhere on this form).

Existing Development As mentioned in previous sections, the B&D Report used existing zoning regulations to compare present development versus potential development after the proposed sanitary sewer system was built. All zoning districts have requirements and/or restrictions for construction occurring within their jurisdiction. A large portion of the District service area falls within Shoreland Ordinance areas, which restrict lot coverage to 25 percent impervious. Thus, while there may be many lots available for development as indicated above, there are restrictions in place for how much of the lot can be developed (i.e. impervious surfaces such as buildings, drives, etc.). The area along the western side of Mille Lacs Lake consists of a combination of year-round residential, seasonal residential, recreational, and lake-orientated commercial uses. TH 169, adjacent to the west shoreline of Mille Lacs Lake, is a major north-south route, both locally and in this part of the State. For the last 50 years, the main recreational and commercial development has occurred along this highway. Starting on the south along Wigwam Bay, this area is a mix of commercial waterfront (motels, resorts) and single family residential. On the north end of Wigwam Bay is a former motel turned into apartments. Between Wigwam Bay and St. Albans Bay, the land use consists mainly of residential, with fairly high density along Mille Lacs Lake. Between the lake and the highway, the existing development is much less intense, if existent at all in some places. On the west side of the highway, there is a golf course with some suburban-type residential development around it, as well as a campground (Carefree Acres).


At the south end of St. Albans Bay, the Holt-Smith Lake Road goes off of the highway and back to the densely developed residential area on the north side of Holt Lake and the south side of Smith Lake. Along the highway adjacent to St. Alban’s Bay is a mix, again, of commercial waterfront (motels, resorts) and single family residential. Between St. Alban’s Bay and the city of Garrison/Garrison Bay are a couple of motels and a highway rest area. The city of Garrison can be split into three areas: lakefront commercial south of the “Y” (where TH 169 and TH 18 split), commercial and residential north of the “Y”, and residential south and west of the “Y” back from the lake. The lakefront commercial south of the “Y” consists of restaurants, gasoline stations/ convenience stores, a motel, banks, some business offices, and a resort. The commercial and residential north of the “Y” consists of a restaurant, gasoline station/ convenience store, trailer park, campgrounds, a marina, apartments, and back from the lake space for single family residential. South and west of the “Y” and back from the lake within the city of Garrison is mostly single family residential with an apartment building, churches, a community center/ballfields, city of Garrison Hall, and a road out to the east side of Borden Lake to serve the more densely developed residential lots along this lake. The riparian lots along the lakes in the District are almost completely developed. Shore development is sometimes at high densities for unsewered areas. The District does include some larger tracts of undeveloped or natural areas off of the immediate riparian areas. Much of the undeveloped area in the Sanitary District is open water or wetland (almost 2,900 acres or about 40 percent of total land area of the District). Approximately 70 percent of the non-wetland land is privately owned (not including transportation right-of-ways), with the balance (almost 1,500 acres or 20 percent of the total land area) in various forms of public ownership. The entity with the largest public ownership is the State of Minnesota, which owns (but which are managed by Crow Wing County) tax-forfeit lands in addition to a number of parcels that different State agencies hold fee-title. Existing development patterns include many shoreland lots that are substandard under the Shoreland Ordinance standards, some with only 50-foot widths and less than 200 feet of depth (10,000 square feet or less than one quarter of an acre). Most existing developed lots are less than one acre in size. As the 2000 census shows, the city of Garrison, Garrison Township, and Kathio Township have experienced approximately 50 percent increases in population within the last ten years. Considering the amount of water, wetlands, and publicly owned lands that are not developable, population and development has tended, and will most likely continue, to concentrate in the shoreland areas. Thus, while the overall density considering the entire District may be low, the density of developed areas is much higher. Potential Areas for New Development A portion of the District, especially along the areas that will be served by this proposed collection system, is already platted. As stated in the B&D Report, the complete build-out of the District, using current zoning regulations, will result in 2,576 units for unsewered versus 6,011 units with sewer - an increase of about 3,400 between unsewered and sewered. There are 97 commercial lots split between TH 18 northwest of Garrison and along St. Alban’s Bay, 278 residential lots split between St. Alban’s Bay and between Smith and Holt Lakes, 407 residential lots near Wigwam Bay, and 2419 residential lots in the Port Mille Lacs area between Wigwam Bay and St. Albans Bay.


The following are some potential future growth areas in the District:

• Between the north side of Smith Lake and south of CSAH 26 1. Approximately 400 acres 2. Current land use is split fairly evenly between rural residential, Green Space Zoning and

agricultural and one resort 3. There are wetlands on the eastern two-thirds and hilly terrain on the western one-half

• North of CSAH 26 and south of the city of Garrison 1. Approximately 1,250 acres 2. Current land use is mostly Green Space Zoning with some rural residential 3. There are a lot of wetlands interspersed across this area. Fawcett Lake is within this area

and Maple Lake is on its northern edge • Between ‘downtown’ city of Garrison and Maple Ridge Road

1. Approximately 180 acres 2. Current land use is mostly Green Space Zoning with a few rural residential 3. Some wetlands are interspersed across this area

• North of Garrison Creek and just west of TH 169 1. Approximately 100 acres 2. Current land use is mostly Green Space Zoning with some rural residential 3. There are wetlands along the western edge of this area

Of the 7,400 total acres in the District, 2,900 acres (1,800 acres wetlands and 1,100 acres lakes) would not change. This assumes wetlands would not be filled to any great degree. That leaves 4,500 acres developable. Of the 4,500 acres developable, about 1,500 acres is public lands. The assumption is that these lands would stay public and would not be developed. That leaves 3,000 acres of private land developable. Of the 3,000 acres of private land that is developable, about 1,700 acres (1,100 acres lawn/ landscaping and 600 acres impervious) is already developed. That leaves 1,300 acres of private land left to develop. The assumption is that all the cropland (40 acres), all the brush/grassland (300 acres) and a portion of the wooded/forest (700 of the 2,360 acres) would be potentially developed at some point in the future. The District will determine, on a case-by-case basis, if extensions from the proposed initial central sanitary sewer collection system will be the best way to provide sewer service to all areas of the District. Some less densely developed areas may need the District to service them with individual or cluster systems. Current Primary Zoning Restrictions Current zoning districts and ordinances were used to compare present development versus potential development after the proposed sanitary sewer system was built. The result of this study denoted that the amount of impervious area did not appreciably increase from a non-sewered condition to a sewered condition due to the Shoreland Ordinance.


While there may be ‘many’ lots available for development, a large portion of the District's developable land falls within Shoreland Ordinance areas. These ordinances restrict lot coverage to 25 percent impervious, thus minimizing the potential adverse impacts from secondary development related to the proposed sanitary sewer. Potential New Impervious Surface Area The results of the B&D Report indicate that the impervious surface between unsewered build-out conditions and sewered build-out conditions changed by only six acres, or about one percent. While zoning usually allows smaller lots when central sewer is available, the Shoreland Ordinance limits lot coverage to 25 percent impervious whether sewer is available or not. Wherever zoning would allow new impervious area, it would be approximately the same between an unsewered condition and a sewered condition. While a portion of the District, especially along the areas that will be served by this proposed collection system, are already platted; there are also other larger tract areas within the District that are not platted. Most of the area south and west of Whitefish Lake, south and west of Holt Lake, and west of Smith Lake is Publicly Owned/Managed lands that are not assumed to be available for future development nor future extensions of the central sanitary sewer collection system. The initial system is laid out to serve the existing most densely developed areas. Along this route, there are some undeveloped stretches that could hook up to this initial line. Areas that potentially could be connected, to the proposed central sanitary sewer collection system are those areas where the density of development justifies that the system be extended. The approach will be to review requests for connection on a case-by-case basis. Primary Requirements Included In the Storm-water Management Plan The storm-water management plan for construction associated with growth after the sanitary sewer system is installed will be the responsibility of the three zoning entities within the District. The District is working with these three zoning entities, as well as the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group, on a draft storm-water management ordinance that will include the present Shoreland Ordinance requirement of no more than 25 percent impervious lot coverage, as well as working on slowing the speed of storm-water runoff, cleaning the storm-water runoff, and storing the storm-water runoff so that it can be slowly released back to the environment. Also in effect for construction disturbing one acre or more will be the MPCA General Storm Water Permit for Construction Activity. This Permit will require owners and construction contractors to adhere to the erosion and sediment control practices contained in this permit. It will be the responsibility of the selected construction contractor to prepare and submit a specific plan prior to construction based on their means, methods, techniques, and sequencing of construction. Current Stormwater Ordinances The city of Garrison, Crow Wing County, and Mille Lacs County do not have specific storm-water ordinances. However, the Shoreland Ordinances do include some storm-water provisions and do limit the amount of impervious surface to no more than 25 percent of the lot. Potential Cumulative Impacts The density and intensity of development that occurs in any area is affected by the characteristics of the local development market, local land characteristics, and the capacity of public infrastructure. Market demand for housing or commercial sites is the primary determinant for the density and


intensity of development. Where market demand is high, development pressure will fill buildable areas and increase the intensity of land uses. Where market demand is weak, development will be sporadic, even if the land is buildable and infrastructure capacity is plentiful.

The proposed sanitary sewer line has the potential to put at risk natural systems, public infrastructure, and community character due to secondary development enabled by the proposed sanitary sewer system. In order to assess the level of risk to natural systems, public infrastructure, and community character, the B&D Report examined the amount of development that could occur if the District was 100 percent built-out; that is, if the maximum number of new units that could be legally constructed were constructed. The build-out analysis used existing zoning regulations. Two scenarios were analyzed for comparison. The first was a baseline estimate of maximum development if the sewer line is not built, and the second was an alternative showing the build-out if the sewer line is constructed and extended to all areas of the District. The build-out scenarios represent the worst-case scenarios. The build-out scenario estimated a maximum build-out (as measured by number of buildings) that is over 133 percent higher in the sewered scenario than with the unsewered scenario, or an increase of total developed parcels in the District of over 3,400 lots. The build-out analysis assessed the potential harm of the potential additional buildings on water quality and the functioning of watersheds in the District. The build-out analysis was translated showing the number of buildings and showing the changes in impervious surface coverage. The analysis was conducted for each watershed within the District, and estimated the change from existing impervious surface levels to potential impervious surface levels under complete build-out under both the sewered and unsewered scenarios using current zoning regulations. Existing levels of development, as measured on a watershed basis, are relatively low. General standards developed from a number of research efforts note that if less than ten percent of a watershed is covered by impervious surfaces, the impacts on the watershed are difficult to measure (localized effects of impervious surfaces on specific sensitive areas are not considered by the general standard). The District’s portion of the Lake Mille Lacs watershed, at 8.4 percent impervious coverage, is the only area approaching the 10 percent risk threshold. Where water quality problems currently exist, inadequately designed or failing septic systems are likely the greater cause than total impervious surface coverage. Additional water quality risk is associated with riparian structures and recreational water use, poor stormwater management infrastructure, and removal of native shoreland vegetation. The results of the impervious surface analysis show that, under the specific assumptions of this analysis, the risk to water quality from more impervious surface is very low. In spite of a dramatic increase in the number of buildings for several zoning districts, the amount of impervious surface only marginally increased (566 acres to 572 acres, about one percent). The Shoreland Ordinance limits lot coverage to 25 percent impervious surface. At a watershed level, the effects of the build-out were as follows: The Lake Mille Lacs watershed, where most of the possible new units lie, has increased from 8.4 percent to 18.7 percent, the projected impervious surface now exceeds the 10 percent threshold, although it is not yet approaching the 25 percent (degraded) threshold. The remaining watersheds have realized several percentage point increases in impervious surface coverage, but still remain far below the 10 percent threshold for an “impacted” watershed.


Mitigation Measures Some efforts are currently underway to limit harmful changes to water quality and community character. For example, the District has been participating in the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group’s Clean Water Partnership Project for the last two years. The background (Phase 1) study has been completed and they are preparing to enter the implementation phase. The District is also participating in Minnesota Planning’s and the Local Solutions Alliance’s efforts on a multi-jurisdictional Mille Lacs Lake Area Comprehensive Planning Project. The project’s purpose is to eventually develop support for a comprehensive land use plan for the watershed of Mille Lacs Lake that the various governmental entities responsible for planning and zoning can incorporate, adopt, and implement. As development occurs, specific, approved mitigation measures will be designed as appropriate for each project area. Also, the Clean Water Partnership is working on a storm-water ordinance. Other than a few provisions in the Shoreland Ordinance, the two counties and the city of Garrison do not currently have storm-water ordinances. The options available for mitigating the risk associated with secondary development due to the proposed sanitary sewer include education efforts, incentive-based programs, regulatory efforts, and management of public lands, and are summarized as follows: 1. The District, in cooperation with the units of local government, Soil and Water Conservation

Districts (SWCD), and State agencies, could sponsor a multi-phased education and incentive program, modeled after the NEMO program. Elements of the effort could include the following:

• Conducting ongoing education efforts for appointed and elected officials on the

requirements of the State Shoreland Ordinance will help build recognition of the requirements that developers, builders, and homeowners must meet when acquiring building permits;

• Providing education or incentives for builders, developers, and homeowners to meet both impervious surface standards and best management practices for storm-water can ensure that the standards will hold up over time, as existing buildings undergo modifications and additions;

• Provide model development standards, showing how to minimize impervious surfaces on different lot sizes and configurations;

• Develop educational materials on shoreland standards to be handed out when the application for sewer hookups are approved, including notification that sewer hookups are contingent upon meeting state and local storm water and land use standards; and

• Structure the District hookup fees to encourage combining of multiple lots in common ownership.

2. The District’s current contract with MLWM limits the District to 325,000 gallons per day.

MLWM’s current NPDES discharge permit limits the WWTF to a total average discharge of 625,000 gallons per day. Without expansion of the WWTF (and the corresponding time, added costs, and permit modifications), there is a finite capacity to the number of sewer hook-ups the District can allow. In light of this capacity limitation, the District could mitigate risk from secondary development using some of the following tools:


• Adopt District ordinance language regulating the extension of laterals from the sewer trunk or other laterals to be consistent with density goals and mitigation of secondary development. Require consistency with local Comprehensive Plans and Shoreland Ordinances, particularly the 25 percent impervious surface limitation. Consider taking over management of (or providing some other service for) ISTS systems rather than extending sewer laterals.

• Limit, by ordinance, the number of new hook-ups per year. The sewer system has limited capacity and should be conserved in order to minimize contract revisions, investment in new infrastructure, and additional discharges from the treatment plant.

• Encourage local governments to set regulatory standards for access management, or create capacity limits for public infrastructure to guide or phase development, such as through Adequate Public Facilities ordinances.

• Adopt the Clean Water Partnership Recommendations. 3. The Mille Lacs Watershed Program, a Clean Water Partnership project overseen by the MPCA,

has completed its Phase I study. The implementation effort, or Phase II, will require participation of local governments, including the District. Some of the implementation recommendations may mitigate against the risks from secondary development.

• Support and participate in the Local Solutions Alliance Planning Project

The Local Solutions Alliance, a multi-agency collaborative effort to assist local governments in addressing local problems, has proposed to oversee a five-phase land use planning effort for the Mille Lacs watershed. The watershed planning effort would dovetail with the Clean Water Partnership Phase II efforts, and would offer inter-jurisdictional solutions to land use and growth management efforts.

• Storm Water and Performance Standards Create a model stormwater ordinance that meets NPDES Phase II standards, and addresses storm water, erosion, sedimentation, wetlands, and vegetative management. Design the ordinance as an overlay district coincident with the District, and encourage local governments to adopt the ordinance. Consider working with the SWCDs to provide review and enforcement services.

• Work with Local Governments to strengthen Zoning, Shoreland, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinances Encourage local governments to make zoning, shoreland, and PUD ordinances for those sewered areas at risk of heavy development pressure more restrictive than State standards.

• Permanent Protection of Land from Secondary Development Working with local governments, create and promote tax incentives for shoreland areas encouraging voluntary use of conservation easements. Consider setting up Transfer of Development Rights and Purchase of Development Rights programs.

Proposed Recommendations for Increased Protections that may result from the TH 169 Improvements and the Resulting Impact on Growth Patterns in the Area MnDOT has completed an EIS examining the rebuilding of TH 169, including expanding it to a four-lane along its existing alignment with new alignments on the backside of the beach ridges at Wigwam Bay and St. Alban’s Bay. As segments of the sewer extension route will align with portions of the TH 169 improvements, all protective measures proposed in the EIS will increase the protections for the proposed project. Any improvements to TH 169 will include controlling access


to the highway and directing it to specific intersections (sometimes one mile apart). Thus, MnDOT’s decisions on the design and final layout of the proposed four-lane TH 169 improvements through the District will affect how land uses develop.

22. ODORS, NOISE, AND DUST. Will the project generate odors, noise or dust during construction

or during operation? Yes No If yes, describe sources, characteristics, duration, quantities or intensity and any proposed measures to mitigate adverse impacts. Sewage-type odors may be generated at different times depending on the use of the system, resulting flows, and resulting times of travel from lift station to lift station. If such odors occur, they will most likely be emitted at the lift stations. The system’s design will attempt to minimize this possibility. However, due to the nature of the waste being handled, the potential does exist for odors. The project will generate normal levels of temporary noise and dust during construction. As most construction is anticipated within existing roadway corridors, the source of the noise and dust from construction will be the same as from existing vehicular traffic. However, it is acknowledged that the amount of noise and dust will increase on a temporary basis when construction is occurring in front of specific sections. The construction contract documents will have provisions limiting that the contractor's working hours (for example, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) to control temporary noise as well as provisions to minimize dust (watering for dust control).

23. OTHER POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. If the project may cause any adverse environmental impacts not addressed by items 1 to 28, identify and discuss them here, along with any proposed mitigation.

There are no other potential environmental impacts that have been identified.

24. SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES. The project area is in the east central part of Minnesota, on the southwest side of Mille Lacs Lake. The city of Garrison is on the far north side of the project area and is approximately 21 miles east of Brainard, 50 miles northwest of Hinkley, Minnesota and 100 miles north of St. Paul, Minnesota. The project area is located in the northwestern portion of Mille Lacs County and the southeast portion of Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Between 1990 and 2000, the population of Mille Lacs County increased by 19.6 percent from 18,646 to 22,330, and the population for Crow Wing County increased by 24.5 percent from 44,256 to 55,099. Adjoining counties (Aitkin, Morrison, and Kanabec) had population changes from +7.1 to 23.1 percent during the same time period. Ninety four percent of the population is of white origin, American Indian accounts for 4.7 percent, and African American accounts for 0.3 percent of the population by race in Mille Lacs County. In Crow Wing County, 97.6 percent of the population is of white origin, American Indian accounts for .8 percent, African American and Asian account for .3 percent each. Over one percent of the population in both counties indicated that they are of two or more races.


The civilian labor force is comprised of 11,265 persons in Mille Lacs and 27,202 in Crow Wing Counties. The average unemployment rate for Mille Lacs County in 2000 was 5.4 percent and 5.5 percent for Crow Wing County. This compares with a rate in Minnesota of 4.1 percent and for the United States as a whole of 4.8 percent. For Mille Lacs County, the manufacturing industry employs the most workers (22.3 percent), followed by education, health, and social services (19.8 percent), retail trade (12.4 percent), and construction (8.3 percent). For Crow Wing County, the education, health, and social services industry employs the most workers (22.6 percent), followed by retail trade (14.3 percent), manufacturing (13.2 percent), and arts, entertainment, recreation, and food services (11.5 percent). Educational attainment for both Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties lags significantly lower than the State averages. Eighty one percent of persons 25 years of age and older in Mille Lacs County are high school graduates and 12 percent have bachelor’s degrees or higher, while the same figures for Crow Wing County are 86 percent and 18 percent respectively. This compares with 88 percent and 27 percent, respectively, for Minnesota as a whole (2000 data). Median household income for both counties lags behind Minnesota income. In 2000, Mille Lacs County had a median income of just under $37,000 and Crow Wing County was slightly higher, while Minnesota as a whole had a median household income that was 28 percent higher at $47,111. Poverty levels in the project are higher than State averages, with 6.7 percent of the 6,025 families in Mille Lacs County living below the poverty level and 6.5 percent of the 15,329 families in Crow Wing County. Of that segment, families with children less than five years of age and are living at or below poverty status, equal 12 percent in Mille Lacs, and 14 percent in Crow Wing Counties. About 32 percent of the 8,648 households in Mille Lacs County are collecting Social Security income, over 5 percent of households are collecting public assistance income, and over 16 percent are collecting a retirement income. Crow Wing County has very similar figures at about 34 percent of the 22,294 households are collecting Social Security income, about 4 percent of the households are collecting public assistance income, and over 19 percent are collecting a retirement income. The aesthetic value of a community is determined mainly by the look and feel of the area. Features such as housing density, vegetative cover, and the viewshed of the homes are evaluated in this determination. The Garrison-Mille Lacs area is highly valued by the residents and by visitors to the area. The relatively dense population of the area and the new home construction taking place are evidence of this. Specific factors adding to the value of the area are shoreline access to recreationally attractive lakes, relatively undisturbed natural habitat, and home sites removed from congested roadways and public use areas. The construction and operation of the wastewater collection system would have both beneficial and adverse impacts on the area’s social and economic environment. The primary beneficial impacts would be a permanent increase in the project area’s property values because of the improvement to public facilities and services. Property values of the residences hooked up to the proposed system should see a substantial beneficial effect. It is very common to see an increase in property values after a large area has been converted from individual septic systems to a municipal sewage system. After the proposed project has been completed and a short period of time has passed, the property has a stronger tendency to sell for additional money, or sell quicker than a like property that is operating with an individual septic system in place. The property has an added value due to the reduced homeowner liability to service and maintain the septic system. There would also likely be a temporary beneficial effect to local employment. Contractors for these types of projects often obtain at least a portion of their employees from the local labor pool.


The majority of the adverse impacts would be associated with the construction activities and therefore would be temporary in nature. During the construction, there would be disruption to the traffic movement, an increase in the noise level, and increased safety concerns in the specific area in which work is being done. The traffic impacts would result from movement of large equipment on the roads, use of the road as a temporary storage site for excavated material, and excavation in the roadway itself. The noise would result from the operation of construction equipment and the blasting that would be done. The operation of the heavy equipment would also increase the safety hazards on the roadways used by the equipment. There would also be temporary adverse impacts on the aesthetic values of the area. The construction activities would temporarily disrupt the normally tranquil conditions in the project area as well as degrade the scenic views in the immediate construction zone. Implementation of the proposed action and the resulting monthly fee would have a permanent adverse financial impact on the project area’s residents. In the county, 63 percent of the households are on some form of a fixed income, including Social Security, Supplemental Social Security, public assistance, and retirement income. It is likely that at least a portion of the project area’s residents fall into this category. The increased cost associated with the required hookup to the wastewater system would be especially burdensome to residents in this category. It is likely that the increased economic burden would force some residents to relocate to more outlying areas with lower residential fixed costs.

25. ALTERNATIVES.

The following alternative actions to the selected plan were evaluated. Each was evaluated along with the selected alternative as to its constructibility, construction related environmental factors, long-term environmental factors, reliability, expansion potential, and monetary costs. A brief explanation is given for why each of these alternatives was not selected. a. Continued Use of ISTSs – New and replacement treatment systems similar to those currently in

use would be used for individual or small cluster situations. These systems include drainage fields, holding tanks, and chemical toilets. This alternative was not selected for the following reasons. The current development pattern is concentrating more and more residences along or near areas with water frontage. Even with properly functioning systems, an increase in the number of systems would increase the nutrient input into the water bodies fronting the residences. In addition, the low, wet nature of much of the land and the smaller sized lots available make development of properly functioning systems more difficult.

b. Construction of a WWTF by the District – The sewer district evaluated the potential of

constructing a WWTF either by itself or in conjunction with the Mille Lacs Band. It was determined that it was more economical to have the band construct the WWTF and for the district to pay for use of the WWTF. The environmental impacts would be the same with either ownership alternative.

c. No Action – A “no action” response would not remedy the identified shortcomings of the

current situations. The noncompliant systems would continue to inadequately treat wastewater. New or rebuilt ISTSs would continue to discharge nutrients into Lake Mille Lacs which would lead to further degradation of the lake. For these reasons, the no action alternative was not selected.


26. COORDINATION. The Corps has coordinated the proposed project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the MPCA, USDA Rural Development, and DNR. This project has also been coordinated with the SHPO. Project review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is ongoing with the SHPO and the Mille Lacs THPO.

Project review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is ongoing with the SHPO and the Mille Lacs THPO. Tribal consultation pertaining to project effects on ancestral Dakota cultural properties, particularly Wigwam Bay, is being coordinated by the Corps and the THPO with the Shakopee and Lower Sioux Mdewakanton Dakota communities. The THPO will represent the Ojibwe groups in consultation pertaining to project effects on Ojibwe cultural properties. A final determination has not been reached for project effect or the appropriate treatment of affected properties. Final determinations will be coordinated with both the SHPO and the THPO for their respective jurisdictions. Other pertinent letters of coordination are attached. This assessment will be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the EPA, and the DNR. The document would also be made available to other Federal and State agencies and the interested public for review and comment.


27. APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

Table 1 summarizes the status of project actions proposed by the Corps in relation to applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Table 1 - Status of Project with Applicable Laws and Statutes

STATUTES OR DIRECTIVES COMPLIANCE STATUS Federal Statutes Archeological and Historic Preservation Act Pending Clean Air Act of 1977, as amended Full Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended Full Coastal Zone Management Act N/A Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended Full Estuary Protection Act N/A Federal Water Project Recreation Act, as amended Full Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended Full Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, as amended Full Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, as amended N/A National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended Full Resource Conservation and Recovery Act N/A Rivers and Harbors Act Full Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, as amended Full Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended N/A Federal Water Pollution Control Act; Full Safe Drinking Water Act-Sec 1424 (e); Full Coastal Barrier Resources Act; N/A National Historic Preservation Act; Pending Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation, Food Security Act; Full Farmland Protection Act; Full USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3 (Land Use Policy) Full USDA –RD State Office Natural Resource Management Guide. Full Executive Orders, Memorandums, etc. Floodplain Management (E.O. 11988) Full Protection of Wetlands (E.O. 11990) Full Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions (E.O. 12114) N/A Analysis of Impacts on Prime and Unique Farmlands Full (CEQ Memorandum, August 11, 1980) Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality Full (E.O. 11514, as amended by E.O. 11991) Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment Full (E.O. 11593) All applicable laws and regulations listed in Table 1 will have been fully complied with upon the completion of the environmental review.


28. PERMITS AND APPROVALS NEEDED.

Table 2 – Permits and Approvals Required

Unit of Government Type of Application Status MPCA NPDES Sewer Extension

Permit To Be Submitted

MPCA Section 401 Certification To Be Submitted MPCA NPDES General Stormwater

Permit To Be Submitted

DNR Construction Dewatering Permit

To Be Submitted

DNR Utility Crossing Permit To Be Submitted MnDOT Utility & Right of Way Permit To Be Submitted Crow Wing County Utility & Right of Way Permit To Be Submitted Mille Lacs County Utility & Right of Way Permit To Be Submitted Corps Section 404 Permit To Be Submitted Corps Section 569 NE Minnesota

Grant To Be Submitted

Corps Section 219 Grant To Be Submitted USDA Rural Development Grant/Loan To Be Submitted Minnesota Public Facilities Authority

State Revolving Loan Fund Grant/Loan

To Be Submitted

Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development

Small Cities Grant To Be Submitted

Minnesota Legislature Special Legislation Grant/Loan

To Be Submitted

Garrison, Kathio, WEst Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary …...Corps regulation ER 200-2-2 and Minn. R. ch....

Documents

Transcript of Garrison, Kathio, WEst Mille Lacs Lake Sanitary …...Corps regulation ER 200-2-2 and Minn. R. ch....