The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $10,000,000 in financial assistance available to the Birmingham Water Works Board using funds from the FY 2009 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In accordance with State and Federal regulations that govern the program, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has conducted a review to assess the potential impacts upon the environment that may result from implementation of this project.

The Birmingham Water Works Board is proposing Phase II improvements to the Birmingham Shades Mountain water filtration plant to comply with a mandate issued by ADEM in the systems water supply permit. The proposed improvements consist of the construction or installation of two 6 MG (million gallon) clearwells, an intermediate pump station, a finished water pump station and a liquid lime feed system. Additionally the electrical system will be upgraded and various aged equipment will be replaced. Completion of these projects will improve reliability of the existing water treatment plant, enhance the quality of the finished water and ensure that the system is capable of meeting the water quality standards of its operating permit.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) from further environmental study under the guidelines specified by the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) which specifically include actions which are solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities. However, this decision may be reconsidered if significant adverse information concerning the potential environmental impacts of the project is discovered.

Comments relative to this project should be submitted in writing to Mr. Michael J. Barilone, SRF and Operator Certification Section, Permits and Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Post Office Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463, no later than 30 days after the date of this CE. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will not take formal action to proceed with the project without carefully evaluating any public comments opposing the project.

This notice is hereby given this June 5, 2009 by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

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Onis "Trey" Glenn, III,

                                                                                                          Director