Environmental Assessment released June 6, 2014, for 30-day public review, for project alternatives and a recommended plan for sewer improvements in Lake County, Ind.
The project would improve the efficiency and capability of the existing undersized storm sewer system to the residents of the Hermit Lake neighborhood, located in unincorporated Lake County, to the southwest of Crown Point. Improvements would alleviate flooding currently caused by typical rainfall events, and eliminate potential sanitary sewer discharges into Foss Ditch, Lake Dalecarlia and the Kankakee River. Work would begin in late 2014 with completion anticipated within approximately 12 months.
The proposed project consists of the construction of a new regional pumping station at the same location and 3,000 feet of new sanitary sewer force main along White Oak Avenue to connect the area sanitary sewer system to the City of Crown Point’s collection system. The existing pumping station would be demolished.
Portable water for the community is currently obtained from private individual wells - the source of water effluent processed through the existing Hermit Lake Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) facility. Replacement of the current WWTP facility with a new regional pumping station and construction of a new force main connection would allow this material to be treated in the Crown Point Sanitary Sewer system.
During construction, exposed soils would be stabilized with erosion control blankets and later stabilized with permanent vegetation. Soil and gravel piles would be stabilized and contained with silt fencing.
The comment period ends July 7, 2014. Comments must be received within 30 days and may be sent to Peter Bullock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 231 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1500, Chicago, Ill. 60604, or by e-mail at peter.y.bullock@usace.army.mil. Questions should be directed to Mr. Bullock at 312-846-5587. Agency and public review comments will be addressed as they are received. Pertinent comments will be incorporated into the document.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Section 122 of the Rivers and Harbors and Flood Control Act of 1970, the Chicago District has assessed environmental impacts associated with the proposed infrastructure improvements and found no significant impacts. Therefore, it is determined that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
The study was authorized under Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1992, as amended by Section 504 of WRDA of 1996; Section 502 of WRDA of 1999; Section 145 of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2004; and Section 5075 of WRDA 2007. Section 219 (F)(12) Calumet Region allows the Corps to provide planning, design, and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure projects.
The project’s non-Federal sponsor is Lake County, Ind.