[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39039-39040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16432]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

United States Geological Survey


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for 
the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center ARRA Funded 
Construction Projects

AGENCY: United States Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has 
prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the projects 
described in this NOA. By this notice, the USGS is announcing its 
availability. In addition, a Draft Environmental Assessment was 
published on December 23, 2009, for a 7-day public comment period and 
no comments were received.

DATES: The USGS will not issue a final decision on the proposed 
projects, until after 30 days from the date this notice is published in 
the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bill Hayman, Facility Mechanical 
Engineer at Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta 
Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603; (608) 781-6253 (telephone); (608) 783-
6066 (fax); or [email protected] (e-mail). Copies of the Environmental 
Assessment for the proposed projects are available for public 
inspection during regular business hours at the USGS Upper Midwest 
Environmental Sciences Center (see address above).
    Before including your address and any other personal identifying 
information in your comment, please be aware that your entire comment, 
including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background Information

    The objective of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center is 
to provide comprehensive research facilities to study the acute and 
chronic effects of chemicals on fish and non-target life, physical, and 
biological controls, specific diseases, predation, and integrated 
controls.

[[Page 39040]]

Project Descriptions

    Six separate projects are proposed as follows:
    1. Fire Suppression--Segments A through D.
    2. Water Storage Tank.
    3. WWTF (Wastewater Treatment Facility) Remediation.
    4. Segment D Addition.
    5. Water Supply.
    6. Storm Water Management.

Fire Suppression

    The proposed action is to install automatic fire suppression 
systems consisting of internal sprinkler systems designed to fit each 
building's unique layout, function and purpose. The systems will be 
supplied with water from the City of La Crosse water system. The 
purpose of this project is to enhance fire protection capabilities for 
the existing buildings and the proposed Segment D addition.

Water Storage Tank

    The proposed action is to construct a new welded steel water 
storage tank west of the existing water storage tank and to refurbish 
the existing water storage tank. The new tank will be connected to the 
existing on-site water distribution system. The purpose of this project 
is to ensure the water supply required for the research at UMESC is 
maintained.

Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Remediation

    The proposed WWTF remediation project includes the following items:
     Replace synthetic liner in secondary pond.
     Install UV (ultraviolet) equipment for disinfection of 
final effluent.
     Repair fence and gates.
     Repair eroded bank outside of fence.
     Restore roadways within fence.

The purpose of this project is to ensure the pond and features 
associated with the pond are repaired and modified to ensure their 
future integrity.

Segment D Addition

    The proposed action involves the construction of a new, 
approximately 22,000 sq. ft., two-level building addition onto the 
south side of existing Segment C. The upper level will include a large 
group conference center for public meetings and presentations 
associated with the work conducted by UMESC. The lower level will house 
individual office spaces and interior lab space for the GIS Department.
    Surface water quality will improve due to disinfection of the 
wastewater treatment facility effluent. Storm water runoff generated by 
the proposed actions will be infiltrated so it will not reach surface 
waters. On-site groundwater use will be slightly reduced due to 
connection to the City of La Crosse water system for potable water.
    The purpose of this project is to provide additional office and 
meeting room space that is required.

Water Supply

    The proposed action is to connect to the City of La Crosse water 
system at the end of Fanta Reed Road approximately 300 feet south of 
Segment C to provide water for potable use.
    The purpose of this project is to provide UMESC with potable 
drinking water for the personnel at UMESC.

Storm Water Management

    The proposed action is to construct storm water best management 
practices to divert existing storm water runoff which will minimize the 
potential of surface runoff overloading the capacity of the site's 
WWTF.
    The purpose of this project is to minimize the potential of the 
WWTF capacity being exceeded due to storm water influence, improving 
the water quality of the site surface runoff, and reducing the quantity 
of the runoff from the site.

    Dated: April 23, 2010.
James F. Devine,
Senior Advisor for Science Application, Senior Advisor for Science 
Applications, United States Geological Survey.
[FR Doc. 2010-16432 Filed 7-6-10; 8:45 am]
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