Alabama Department of Environmental Management
P.O. Box 301463 (Zip 36130-1463)
1400 Coliseum Boulevard (Zip 36110-2400)
Montgomery, Alabama
(334) 271-7700

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ADEM Fund Code 245

City of Dothan
Houston County
SRF Project No. FS010123-02

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $12,528,272 in financial assistance available to the City of Dothan using funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program.  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 City of Dothan proposes to replace antiquated water distribution lines that have reached their useful service life. This project includes the construction and inspection for the upgrade and replacement of certain galvanized and unlined cast iron water lines. These water lines are responsible for numerous leaks causing service interruptions and requiring roadway replacements. Additionally, these antiquated water lines are responsible for numerous water quality complaints due to odorous and discolored water. In addition, this project will include the replacement of failing infrastructure including larger diameter water lines along the Ross Clark Circle (SR210) loop which serves as a backbone to the City of Dothan water system. Since the Ross Clark Circle distribution pipe was installed there have been multiple failures resulting in property damage and large-scale service interruptions to critical industrial and health care institutions, thereby adversely affecting customer quality of life.  Completion of these projects will eliminate water outage and low pressure issues in the distribution system and enable the system to provide safe reliable water.

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. William A. Lott, SRF Section, Permits & Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130, no later than 30 days after the date of this notice.  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.

Notice is hereby given this 30th day of January, 2023, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Nondiscrimination Statement:  The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.