NEW TOWN – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Sand Hill Water Tower Improvements project for the city of New Town in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and determined the project is exempt from further substantive environmental review.

The proposed project consists of improvements to the water storage facilities located in the city of New Town. The project also will include booster station pump rehabilitation and water treatment plant pump upgrades. The current ground storage reservoir is nearing the end of its useful life and developing external leaks. The city also has had complaints of low water pressure throughout certain sections of the city, according to the NDDEQ.

The proposed project will replace the current ground storage reservoir with an elevated water tower. The elevated tower will help address the water pressure concerns, as well as the needed replacement of the current aging infrastructure.

The City of New Town has applied for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to finance the project.

This project is being granted an exclusion because the improvements will occur on previously disturbed land. The Three Affiliated Tribes-MHA Nation Tribal Historic Office has reviewed the impacted area and determined no historic properties are affected.

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