HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-10 LUP19-089 Sewer Outfall Amendment to Wastewater System Plan SEPA Hrg
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING &
SEPA DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE
SEWER OUTFALL UPDATES TO THE CITY’S WASTEWATER SYSTEM PLAN
_________________________________________________________________
Proposal:
Update Sewer Outfall Information in Section 7 of the City of Port
Townsend 1999 Wastewater System Plan
The City’s sewer outfall, originally installed in the 1940’s and 50’s, generally extends from
North Beach County Park 900 feet into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The outfall has experienced
several leaks in recent years and needs replacement. For the City to be eligible for Ecology
funding programs, it must first update outfall information in the 1999 Wastewater System Plan.
The 1999 Wastewater System Plan (Plan) is a utility plan which provides the information
necessary to operate, maintain, and expand the wastewater collection and treatment systems as
the City grows. The Plan includes but is not limited to:
A description of the characteristics of the sewer service area
Evaluation of the condition of the exiting sewer system
Identification of rehabilitation needs
A road map describing how the sewer system will be extended to serve the
population growth
Evaluation of existing sewer system flows, and estimates of future flows and
waste loads that the sewer system will be required to convey and treat
Evaluation of the capacity of the existing sewer system
Identification of improvements needed and alternatives
It is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Washington State Department of
Ecology (ECY) as defined in Chapter 173-240 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Ecology is responsible for reviewing and approving plans for wastewater collection and
treatment system expansion. Before Ecology will review and approve project implementation,
the City must have an Ecology-approved plan that describes the need for each project and how
the project will fulfill that purpose.
The proposal to update the Plan is a non-project action (per WAC 197-11-704(2)(b). Phased
review is a component of a non-project action. After Ecology and the City Council approve the
proposed Plan amendments, the sewer outfall replacement project will be subject to additional
environmental review under both the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
File Reference:
LUP19-089
Proponent:
City of Port Townsend, Public Works Department
250 Madison Street, Ste. 2R
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Location:
The 1999 Wastewater System Plan’s service area coincides with the Port
Townsend city limits, Jefferson County, Washington.
Lead Agency:
City of Port Townsend, Development Services Department
SEPA Threshold Determination & Comment Period:
The City of Port Townsend is the lead
agency and has issued a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) on October 9, 2019 (under
The fourteen-day comment period for
WAC 197-11-340(2) for the proposed Plan amendment.
the threshold determination ends on October 23, 2019.
This may be the only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the Plan
amendment. Unless the Responsible Official withdraws the threshold determination pursuant to
WAC 197-11-340(3)(a), the threshold determination shall be final at the end of the comment
period. Agencies and interested parties will be notified if the threshold determination is
withdrawn. This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other
information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request.
City Council Open Record Public Hearing:
An open record public hearing will be held before
the City Council prior to adoption of Plan amendments. The date for the hearing has been
scheduled for November 4, 2019 beginning at or about 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers of Port
Townsend's City Hall, located at 540 Water Street.
Responsible Official:
Lance Bailey, AICP
Director, Development Services Department
Staff Contact:
Judy Surber, Planning Manager
Address:
City of Port Townsend
250 Madison Street, Suite 3
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phone:
(360) 379-5084
Date: October 9, 2019