RD Environmental Information 7-31-23 COMPLIANT FINAL D.pdf

July 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

This document is used to collect information to determine what level of environmental review is necessary. The Agency may request additional information if needed. All answers need to be supported by appropriate documentation when applicable. Potentially helpful links are provided in blue, though not exhaustive or a comprehensive list of resources. A complete NEPA review is required prior to award. Construction may jeopardize completion of NEPA - do not begin construction until the Agency has confirmed a complete NEPA review.

APPLICANT NAME

1.

ADDRESS

Physical location of the project (includes specifics such as longitude and latitude and legal description)

2.

PHOTOS AND MAP

Please provide recent project site photos as well as an aerial map showing the building/lot/exact location of the project. Please indicate in detail on map any potential trenching or other ground disturbance, electrical connections, or other relevant information.

3. Photos and maps are attached. ☐

DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Describe how proposed funds will be used. If project involves construction, whether interior or exterior or renovations, please describe in detail. For renewable energy systems such as solar panels be specific on type of system (fixed tilt, tracking, mounting & structure, i.e. ballasted, 3" pile driven, concrete, screws, etc.).

4.

SIZE OF THE PROJECT AND SITE

Please indicate the size (acres) of your project and how the project will impact the site including roads, right of ways, utilities, or other impacts. Example: Renewable energy solar project should include sq. ft, linear ft, number of installed units/panels/buildings, and details regarding any trenching or ground disturbance to be completed (indicate project square feet of existing and new ground disturbance).

5.

GROUND DISTURBANCE

6. Will the project involve construction without any ground disturbance (i.e. roof mounted solar)?

☐Yes ☐No

6a. If no ground disturbance, please provide land use, land ownership, & description (i.e. industrial, residential, wooded, grasslands, etc.).

6b. If ground disturbance is expected, provide descriptive info, including if the project site was previously disturbed (i.e., previous structure, excavation, cultivation).

ZONING

7. What is the zoning for the project location?

BUILDING AND LOCATION INFORMATION

8. What is the age/year built, of the building where the project will be located in/on?

(If no building involved, please type N/A.)

9. Will the project be located within the viewshed of a building that is a least 50+ years old?

☐Yes ☐No

10. Is the building or project site listed on the State/National Register of Historic Places? ☐Yes ☐No

10a. Findings are attached. ☐

11. If building is over 50 years old, located within the viewshed of a building over 50 years old, or on the State/National Register of Historic Places, has approval or concurrence been obtained from State Historic Preservation Office? ☐Yes ☐No

11a. Letters to and responses from the State Historic Preservation Office are attached. ☐

12. Have any Tribes or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers been contacted? (Some Tribes require government to government contact therefore consultation with the local RD State Office is recommended.) ☐Yes ☐No

Letters to and responses from the Tribes or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, if applicable, are attached. ☐

12a. Summarize State/National Register of Historic Places, Tribes, and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers responses below.

13. Will the project be located within a Historic District? ☐Yes ☐No

Correspondence with Historic District is attached. ☐

If project located in Historic District, please summarize the review/comments/approval from the local town historic district below.

https://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp https://egis.hud.gov/tdat/ https://grantsdev.cr.nps.gov/THPO_Review/index.cfm

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

14. Consult the Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website and pull a report for your project area.

IPaC report is attached. ☐

Are there threatened or endangered species or critical habitats within the project area?

☐ Yes ☐ No

If yes, describe the impact your project will have on these resources below.

15. Will the project involve cutting trees or trimming trees? ☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain in detail below: how many, how large, tree type, etc.

15a. If yes to 15, can the applicant/project refrain from cutting, clearing, or trimming trees during habitat critical time frames? (Ex. 6/1 - 7/31 for long-eared bat.) ☐Yes ☐No

Discuss relevant construction timeline below.

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/

16. Is the project located in or could the project affect a wetland? (Use the links below to assist in your determination.) ☐Yes ☐No

• National Wetlands Inventory: https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html

• Web Soil Survey: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm

Wetlands map is attached. ☐

16a. If yes to 16, has an Army Corps or other permit been issued for the project site? ☐Yes ☐No

Applicable permits are attached. ☐

17. Is the project located in or could the project affect a floodplain (100- or 500-year floodplains)? (Use the links below to assist in your determination.) ☐Yes ☐No

• Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://msc.fema.gov/portal

• Web Soil Survey: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm

FEMA map is attached. ☐

18. Is the project site on or in the vicinity of classified land, such as State/Federal Parks, Monuments, Natural Landmarks, Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, State Lands, National Forest, etc.?

☐Yes ☐No

Land map is attached. ☐

18a. If yes to 18, explain and indicate if the land managing agency has been contacted.

19. Does project affect Coastal Resources (including Great Lake area) including impact to a coral reef (Coastal Barrier Resources System or Coastal Zone Management Areas)? (If your project is not located on the coast, you will likely check no.) ☐Yes ☐No

If on coast, coastal map is attached. ☐

20. Is the proposal located on prime, important, unique or of local Importance Farmland? (Use the links below to assist in your determination.) ☐Yes ☐No

• WSS: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm

• FPPA guidance available from NRCS:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/landuse/fppa/

Web Soil Survey is attached. ☐ https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm http://msc.fema.gov/portal https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm https://fwsprimary.wim.usgs.gov/cbrs-mapper-v2/ https://coast.noaa.gov/czm/mystate/ https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/landuse/fppa/ https://www.protectedlands.net/map/

20a. If yes to 20, has National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) completed a Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA)? ☐Yes ☐No

20b. If yes to 20, is the project expected to benefit by saving or offsetting energy for a farm or agricultural producer? ☐Yes ☐No

NRCS letter is attached. ☐

21. Is the project expected to house, store, reclaim, recycle or involve the handling of hazardous materials, e.g. waste storage, disposal recovery, incineration or waste treatment actions?

☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain.

22. Has a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) been prepared for this site? (A Phase I is not the same as a NEPA review. The Phase I is generally needed for all projects over $100,000 when loan funds are requested, and the agency will take a security interest in real estate.) ☐Yes ☐No

22a. If prepared, Phase 1 ESA is attached. ☐

23. Does the property contain any areas where regulated hazardous substances or petroleum products appear to have been released? ☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain.

24. Does the property contain an underground storage tank (UST)? ☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain and include: type, size, age, date of last state certification.

25. Does the property contain any aboveground storage tanks (AST)? ☐Yes ☐No

If yes, are the ASTs in secondary containment? ☐Yes ☐No

26. Will or could the project have any emissions or cause uncontrolled or unpermitted releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, or natural gas products? Yes No

If yes, explain.

27. For projects involving new construction, will the project affect any Water Resources (Sole Source Aquifers, Well-head protection areas, Watershed Protection Areas, etc.)? ☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain.

28. Is there any controversy that you are aware of or about the project for environmental reason?

☐Yes ☐No

If yes, explain.

29. Does the proposal have any concerns or disproportionately high and or adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations or low-income populations? (Use the links below to assist in your determination.) ☐Yes ☐No

• Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen

• USDA Policy: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/1970e.pdf

Environmental Justice map is attached. ☐ https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9ebb047ba3ec41ada1877155fe31356b https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9ebb047ba3ec41ada1877155fe31356b https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/1970e.pdf

If yes to 29, explain.

30. Is the subject business facility connected to a municipal wastewater system? ☐Yes ☐No

If no, describe the existing on-site system, including capacity.

31. Is the subject business facility connected to a municipal water system? ☐Yes ☐No

If no, describe the existing on-site system, including capacity.

32. Is the project located in a county that has been designated by EPA as a Non-Attainment or Maintenance for any of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards? (Use the links below to assist in your determination.) ☐Yes ☐No

• NEPAssist: https://www.epa.gov/nepa/nepassist

• Environmental Protection Agency Greenbook: https://www.epa.gov/green-book

SIGNATURE, DATE, & TITLE OF PREPARER

Signature Date

Title of Preparer https://www.epa.gov/nepa/nepassist https://www.epa.gov/green-book