From Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality <[email protected]>
Subject Public Notice: Categorical Exclusion Determination, Town of Pine Bluffs, WY, Sewage Treatment Lagoons Upgrades Project
Date July 30, 2025 2:02 PM
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Categorical Exclusion Determination, Town of Pine Bluffs, WY, Sewage Treatment Lagoons Upgrades Project

The Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division (DEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Town of Pine Bluffs Sewage Treatment Lagoons Upgrades project in accordance with EPA and State of Wyoming procedures for implementing the State Environmental Review Process. DEQ has determined that this project is eligible for a categorical exclusion. Accordingly, DEQ is exempting the project from further substantive environmental review requirements under the State Environmental Review Process. Neither an Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact nor an Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision will be required for the proposed action. The following is a brief description of the situation and the proposed action and a brief statement of how the action meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion.

The Town of Pine Bluffs proposes to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment lagoon system and construct an approximately one-mile power line to provide reliable electrical service to the treatment facility. The project includes improvements to the lagoon cells, associated piping and control structures, and the installation of a dedicated overhead distribution line to ensure uninterrupted power for critical treatment operations. These upgrades are necessary to maintain compliance with the Town’s Wyoming Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WYPDES) permit WY00033212 and to ensure long-term service reliability and operational efficiency.

The estimated total project cost is $1,900,000 for the Town of Pine Bluffs Wastewater Treatment Lagoon Upgrade and Power Line Extension Project, as identified on the 2026 Wyoming Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) General Supplemental category.

The Town of Pine Bluffs is aware of and accepts the fact that they will be responsible for any required mitigative actions associated with and including storm water runoff, erosion control, archeological/historic artifacts, and air quality concerns. The responsibilities will be included in the standard State Revolving Funds Program contract condition.

Based on environmental agency coordination and internal review, no significant impacts are anticipated. However, the following standard environmental protections will apply:

State Historic Preservation Office Guidance: If any cultural materials are discovered during construction, work in the area should halt immediately. The federal agency and SHPO staff should be contacted, and the materials must be evaluated by an archaeologist or historian meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department: Clean all vehicles and equipment prior to entering the project area to prevent the spread of invasive species. Coordinate with landowners or land managers to develop a monitoring and treatment plan for noxious weeds and invasive annual grasses (IAGs).
DEQ, Air Quality Guidance: Dust control measures will be implemented during excavation in accordance with WAQSR Chapter 3, Section 2(f). Open burning of construction waste is prohibited, and proper handling procedures must be followed if any suspect asbestos-containing materials are encountered.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidance Avoid active bird nesting season and follow Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) guidelines to reduce avian collision risk. Implement pollinator-friendly practices such as native reseeding and limited herbicide use. Coordinate with WGFD if new sage-grouse information or habitat changes occur. Review recommendations for the protection of migratory birds. (*[link removed]*). The Project should be re-analyzed if Project plans change, if new information on the distribution of listed or proposed species or critical habitat becomes available, or if new information reveals effects to listed or proposed species or critical habitat not previously considered.

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers: Avoid wetlands and waters of the U.S. where feasible and limit disturbance to less than 0.01 acre. Employ best management practices (BMPs) for erosion and sediment control during construction. Do not conduct in-stream work during high flow or wet conditions. Complete all work before March 14, 2026, or request re-verification of NWP authorization.
Wyoming State Engineer’s Office, River Basin Coordinator Guidance: If at any point the project contemplates additional non-municipal water supply, a new assessment would be warranted. Additional water used for construction purposes would require completing the proper applications with the State Engineer’s Office.

DEQ is granting a categorical exclusion because the project replaces and upgrades existing wastewater treatment infrastructure and constructs minor ancillary facilities, specifically a power line extension, adjacent to and on the same property as the existing lagoon system. This project will be completely constructed in previously disturbed ground, specifically ground disturbed by the existing wastewater treatment lagoons, associated utility corridors, and adjacent agricultural lands previously modified for drainage and utility access. DEQ has determined that exempting the proposed project from further review under the State Environmental Review Process will not result in adverse impacts to the population or the area of the Town of Pine Bluffs, Laramie County, Wyoming.

The documentation to support this decision will be on file in the DEQ Cheyenne Office and is available for public review upon request. Requests for information about the proposed decision may be directed to Tim Eisenhauer, SRF Project Engineer by email (*[email protected]*) or phone (307) 777-6371). Written comments shall be addressed to Tim Eisenhauer, Department of Environmental Quality, 200 W. 17th St., Suite 200, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or via FAX (307) 635-1785., and be postmarked on or before 5:00 p.m. on September 2, 2025, to be considered. Electronic comments may only be submitted through and accepted by the Wyoming DEQ comment portal provided at *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]*. Phone or email comments will not be accepted.

*Para español, visite deq.wyoming.gov [ [link removed] ]*. "Americans with Disabilities Act: special assistance or alternative formats will be made available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Please provide at least fourteen (14) days before the close of the public comment period for such requests."


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality · 200 West 17th St.· Cheyenne, WY 82002 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
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