Notice of Public Comment Period (ends Jan. 17, 2020) and Public Meeting (January 13, 2020)
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Intended Use Plan Related to Funding Provided by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (ASADRA)
The Division of Water Infrastructure is soliciting comments on the draft Intended Use Plans (IUPs) related to funding provided by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (ASADRA). ASADRA funding is only available for water and wastewater utilities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and / or Michael.
These funds will be distributed via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The state will retain the right to transfer funds between the SRFs to ensure the ASADRA funds go to the highest priority projects and that each State Project list exceeds capitalization grant levels.
The CWSRF offers low-interest loans for clean water infrastructure, including wastewater treatment facilities, wastewater collection systems, reclaimed water facilities, energy efficiency upgrades at wastewater facilities, stormwater BMPs, stream restoration projects, and the consolidation of nonviable wastewater utilities.
The DWSRF offers low-interest loans for drinking water infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, water distribution systems, and the consolidation of nonviable public water systems.
The draft CWSRF IUP and Priority Rating System for the ASADRA CWSRF; and the draft DWSRF IUP and Priority Rating System for the ASADRA DWSRF may be obtained at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure-draft/division-water-infrastructure/reports.
Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments in support for the ASADRA CWSRF IUP or the ASADRA DWSRF IUP, areas of concern, and suggestions for changes. On January 13, 2020, a public meeting will be held to obtain oral comments; however, written comments may be provided at any time until 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020 or provided at the public meeting.
| PURPOSE (ASADRA CWSRF): | To obtain public comments on the draft CWSRF IUP and Priority Rating System for projects to be funded through the ASADRA CWSRF. The IUP details how the ASADRA CWSRF will operate and is incorporated into the Operating Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| PURPOSE (ASADRA DWSRF): | To obtain public comments on the draft DWSRF IUP and Priority Rating System for projects to be funded through the ASADRA DWSRF. The IUP details how the ASADRA DWSRF will operate and is incorporated into the Operating Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| COMMENT PROCEDURE: | Written and/or oral comments may be provided. Written comments on the ASADRA CWSRF IUP and the ASADRA DWSRF IUP should be provided separately, forwarded to the address below (see contact information, below) and received by 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020 or provided at the public meeting. Oral comments should be made at the meeting. Comments may be limited to three minutes depending on the number of speakers and allotted time (paper copies of any such statements are also helpful). |
| ASADRA HIGHLIGHTS: | · Total funding available: $23,031,600 (CWSRF) and $82,333,200 (DWSRF) for a total of $105 million – up to $26,341,200 of which will be in the form of principal forgiveness. · Funds may be transferred between the CWSRF and DWSRF to ensure the highest priority projects (whether wastewater or drinking water) are funded and the entire capitalization grant is completely utilized. · The standard interest rate will continue to be one-half The Bond Buyer 20-Year Index. · Principal forgiveness available based on affordability criteria for qualifying applicants; the maximum amount of principal forgiveness available per applicant is $500,000. · Targeted interest rates on loans for applicants that meet the criteria for principal forgiveness. · Maximum loan amount of $30 million dollars per applicant (CWSRF) and $20 million dollars per applicant (DWSRF). Limit may be exceeded to utilize all funds. · Prioritization provided for projects that provide redundancy / resiliency for critical treatment and or transmission or distribution system functions for applicants impacted by Hurricanes Florence and / or Michael. |
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| PUBLIC MEETING: | DATE/TIME: January 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM LOCATION: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Ground Floor Hearing Room Archdale Building 512 N. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27604 |
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| CONTACT INFORMATION: | Submit written comments before 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020, using the contact information listed below. The draft ASADRA CWSRF IUP and corresponding Priority Rating System for Wastewater Projects; and the draft ASADRA DWSRF IUP and corresponding Priority Rating System for Drinking Water Projects may be obtained on December 18, 2019, at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure-draft/division-water-infrastructure/reports or by writing or calling:
Ms. Cathy Akroyd Public Information Officer Division of Water Infrastructure Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27604 Telephone: 919-707-9187
US Postal Service 1633 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1633
Courier or Special Delivery 8th Floor Archdale Building, #826P 512 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27604
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