The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) announced it has conducted a review of the proposed 11th Avenue Northwest and Dacotah Homes & Second Avenue Southwest watermain replacement for the City of Minot and determined the project is exempt from further substantive environment review in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The proposed project consists of improvements to the drinking water distribution system within the city. The drinking water distribution system in the project area consists primarily of cast iron pipe and is beyond its useful life. Aging cast iron pipes are subject to frequent watermain breaks and water quality issues. This project will provide new drinking water distribution piping thus reducing maintenance costs and improving drinking water quality, according to NDDEQ information.

The City of Minot has applied for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan of just over $3.24 million to finance a portion of the project.

The NDDEQ stated the project is being granted an environmental review exclusion because the improvements will occur entirely in the utility easements and city streets. No previously undisturbed areas will be affected by the construction activities. The North Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer has concluded that no historic properties will be affected by this project provided replacement pipes for any existing lead service lines do not move the existing building penetrations more than 2 feet.

Public comments concerning this decision may be addressed to Mitch Murray, Environmental Engineer, Division of Municipal Facilities, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, 4201 Normandy St., Bismarck, ND, 58503-1324.