DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utility Service
Mitchell Area Development Corporation through Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA
ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by Mitchell Area Development Corporation through Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. The proposal is to purchase and further develop 18 acres of land into light industrial land. The project will include infrastructure development such as water, sewer, curb gutter and electricity. Mitchell Area Development Corporation through Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. has submitted an application to RBS for funding of the proposal.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Roman, State Environmental Coordinator, USDA Rural Development, Pierre Office,1717 North Lincoln Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, phone: 605-301-3410, email: angela.roman@usda.gov- Click to send an email
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project would consist of the following:
The Proposed Action consists of constructing the Mitchell Industrial Park Development in Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota. The direct area of disturbance, or the Project Area, is 18.1 acres. Seven lots are planned as future sites for businesses. Federal funding would be used to develop roads and infrastructure so that businesses could construct and tap into these pre-developed facilities.
One new paved road will be constructed through the center of the Project Area and will serve as the main road in the industrial park. New electrical lines and water and sewer lines will also be installed. Approximately 1,630 linear feet of water main and 1,500 linear feet of sanitary sewer are planned as part of the project.
Existing roads are planned to be used for accessing the Project Area. Existing structures and utilities within the Project Area will be removed prior to construction of the industrial park. Equipment traveling from existing roads to the project location will travel over existing ground surface. No new construction of bridges or culverts are planned.
Vantage Point Solutions, an environmental consultant, has prepared an environmental assessment for RBS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project’s environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects. RBS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.
Questions and comments should be sent to RBS at the address provided. RBS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for [14] days from the date of publication of this notice.
Any final action by RBS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.
A general location map of the proposal is shown below:
