Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Spanish Springs Valley Nitrate Remediation Pilot Project Phase III
Department of Water Resources, Spanish Springs Valley, Washoe County, Nevada
EPA is considering authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded to Washoe County, NV. Washoe County received appropriations from congress to fund water infrastructure projects. Funding will be used to reduce nitrate contamination in Spanish Springs Valley groundwater by extracting groundwater with high concentrations of nitrate and injecting potable water with low levels of nitrate into the groundwater. Previous congressional appropriations were awarded to Washoe County to investigate and characterize the extent of nitrate contamination in the aquifer. This project, Phase III, will fund actions to clean up nitrate contamination. This project uses two existing wells that have been taken out of operation. The remediation project will re-activate the existing wells to extend the life of this infrastructure. Monitoring of nitrate concentrations in groundwater at the extraction and injection sites is included in the project to assess changes in concentrations of nitrate over time. The project and budget period is three years.
This notice announces the availability of the EA and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment.
- Environmental Assessment (PDF) (30pp, 1M)
- Finding of No Significant Impact (PDF) (2pp, 32K)
Copies of the EA and draft FONSI are also available for public review at the following locations:
Washoe County Department of Water Resources
4930 Energy Way
Reno, NV 89502-4106
Christian Kropf
775-954-4654
Interested persons, including those who disagree with this proposal may submit comments to EPA Region 9 within 30 calendar days from the date the EA is issued. No administrative action will be taken on this proposed project prior to the expiration of the comment period which ends on January 10, 2011. Comments, via letter, fax or email, should be sent to Cheryl McGovern at the address listed below.
To obtain additional information about the project, please contact:
Cheryl McGovern (mcgovern.cheryl@epa.gov)
Environmental Protection Specialist
US EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-972-3415
Fax: 415-947-3537