Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers will be updated to reflect changing interests, concerns, and conditions as the project moves forward between now and 2011, so please visit often.

The Partnership and Facilities
Site Selection
Facility Operations
Environmental Protection and Regulatory Process
Utility Service
Meetings and Public Input
Construction
Pipeline
Geotechnical Investigations

Environmental Protection and Regulatory Process

1. How has the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources been involved in the project, and what is the status of their review?

The NCDENR has been involved with this project since its inception in November 2002, and the NCDENR Division of Water Quality, Construction Grants & Loans Section is currently serving as the lead NCDENR agency on the Project Delivery Team for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ preparation of the Federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). (See Schedule)

2. I’m concerned that discharging sewage, even if it’s treated, could have a negative impact on the environment. What kind of oversight will there be to make sure that the water, land, and wildlife are protected?

We take very seriously our awesome responsibility of ensuring that our natural resources are protected. The Project Partners have years of experience with water reclamation facilities and a proven track record of environmental commitment. The facility will have all the technology and staff necessary to ensure that cleaned wastewater discharged back into the Cape Fear River meets or exceeds all regulations—regulations that have come about after years of scientific analysis on managing the impacts of such discharge.

Further, before the state or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issue any permits to allow construction, an environmental document must be approved. The environmental document must comprehensively address:

> Surface water
> Groundwater
> Plant and animal habitats
> Federal and state protected species
> Air quality
> Noise levels
> Natural areas
> Farmland
> Forestry resources
> Archaeological sites
> Historical sites

Finally, once permitted, facility operators must make regular reports to the State on permit compliance, including environmental protection.

3. Why can’t the water be discharged into Jordan Lake (where water is withdrawn for supplying Cary/Apex/Morrisville water needs) after it is treated? Where will it be discharged? How will you assure that any lakes or streams will not be adversely affected by the discharge?

Current State regulations do not allow for cleaned wastewater to be used directly as drinking water in North Carolina. NCDENR encouraged a discharge location to the Cape Fear River downstream of Buckhorn Dam. The NCDENR Division of Water Quality sets standards for cleaned wastewater quality that are designed to be protective of the Cape Fear River, and the Environmental Impact Statement will document the efforts of the Partners to reliably meet those limits and to protect water resources.

4. What efforts will the Project Partners make to construct the facility in a way that is consistent with western Wake County’s natural beauty? How will you ensure that trees aren’t removed unnecessarily?

The land will be subject to Town of Apex development standards, and all construction will meet or exceed all applicable regulations. The facilities will only take up about one fourth of the proposed 211 acre site. The site will have a 200-foot wide undisturbed, wooded buffer around the perimeter with additional vegetation planted as necessary. In general, the facility will not be visible from adjoining properties or from adjoining roads.

5. What are the long range plans for the site? Will it be limited to only wastewater treatment?

No other uses have been planned for the proposed site.

6. Did you know that New Hill Historic District was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on April 25, 2001? If Federal funding is being requested and used for this project, will all Federal laws related to Historic Sites be evaluated for applicability?

Yes, the Project Partners were aware of the Historic District, and as part of the Environmental Impact Statement, an archaeological survey is being completed and historic structures are being evaluated. The Project Partners have also submitted a map of the project area to the State Historic Preservation Office and are working with them to ensure that the proposed WRF does not impact historic structures.

As noted in response No. 4 of this section, we have accounted for the District in the preliminary layout of the facilities by including a wide, protected buffer around the WRF site so that the Historic District’s view will not be impacted by the proposed WRF. In addition, odor control facilities will be constructed at the facility to reduce the potential for nuisance odor migration.

All applicable laws and regulations will be followed on this project.

7. How will you protect the quality of life for the residents near the proposed WRF site?

The proposed water reclamation facility will be constructed and operated to minimize noise, odor, visual, traffic, and environmental impacts to the community. These measures will be implemented regardless of the facility’s location.

8. What is the process for approval of an Environmental Impact Statement?

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). As they develop the EIS, the Corps solicits comments from NCDENR, other federal and state agencies, the Partners, and the public through their Project Delivery Team. The Draft EIS will be noticed by the Corps and submitted to the State Clearinghouse for public comment, and discussed at a public hearing before it is finalized.  The Corps develops a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final EIS, and notice of the ROD and Final EIS are published in the Federal Register.

More information about the National Environmental Policy Act can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/index.html

9. When will the EIS be available for public comment? Where can I review the EIS?

See Question No. 3 in the Meetings and Public Input section regarding when
and where to comment on the EIS.

10. What is a SCI Master Mitigation Plan? Why are they required for this project? What does one cover? Will the public be able to review and comment on them?

Each of the partners has developed a Secondary and Cumulative Impacts (SCI)
Master Mitigation Plan. The purpose of an SCI Master Mitigation Plan is to
provide a holistic review of the environmental impacts associated with planned land use changes and infrastructure projects. An SCI Master Mitigation Plan identifies the environmental impacts associated with a town’s plans for creating, expanding, and/or changing water, sewer, and transportation facilities and the programs in place that mitigate identified impacts.

Looking at all the secondary impacts for all proposed projects is a new
approach that the Towns of Apex, Cary, Holly Springs and Morrisville have
partnered with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (NC DENR) on developing.

This new planning process will aid the Towns, their citizens, interested parties, and state and federal agencies in the environmental review process by allowing a comprehensive review of SCI impacts, improving efficiency of document production for local governments, and improving efficiency of agency review of NCEPA documents.

Each town has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with NCDENR about the use of the documents. The MOA describes the background of the SCI Master Mitigation Plan process, reporting requirements, period of applicability for the Plan (10 years), and the circumstances under which it must be updated earlier than 10 years.

Separate environmental documents that follow North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NCEPA) requirements will be prepared to address the direct
impacts of individual infrastructure projects implemented by the towns.
These environmental documents will reference the SCI Master Mitigation Plan
for secondary impacts. The EIS for the Western Wake Regional Wastewater
Management Facilities (see Question 8) will reference the SCI Master
Mitigation Plans for all of the partners.

The partners’ Draft SCI Master Mitigation Plans were reviewed by NCDENR using the same process described for an EIS in Question 8. Records of Decision on the Final Draft SCI Master Mitigation Plans were published by the State Clearinghouse in November 2005. See Question 10 in the Meetings and Public Input section regarding when and where to comment on secondary and cumulative impacts.