Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contacts: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Kevin Kain, 651-296-7432 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Willmar, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a sanitary sewer main trunk line beneath the proposed Water View Business Park in southeast Willmar. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Sept. 13, 2006. The project is part of the city's planned development of a new wastewater treatment facility by 2010. It will not be connected for use until the new plant is operating. At that time, the sewer line will carry wastewater from the location of the former wastewater treatment plant on Willmar Avenue Southeast, and redirecting it toward the new wastewater treatment plant southwest of the city. The 48-inch-diameter sewer interceptor will extend about 3,200 feet underground beneath the proposed extension of 5th Street SE from 19th Avenue SE to 28th Avenue SE, and then west beneath 28th Avenue. The interceptor is designed to have a maximum capacity of 20.3 million gallons per day and will be installed at between 15 and 25 feet beneath the surface. The project also will include about 805 feet of force main beneath the proposed 24th Avenue SE to serve Water View Business Park development. The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. During the 30-day period it is open to public review and comment. Comments on Willmar's EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2006 to Kevin Kain, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by fax to 651-297-2343. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· The MPCA's Web site at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html
· MPCA Willmar office, 1601 E. Highway 12
· Willmar Public Library, 410 SW 5th St.
Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Kevin Kain at 651-296-7432, or 1-800-657-3864 (toll free/TTY).