Finding of No Significant Impact Brock Road Water Main Improvements Project

Smith, Russell

The County of Spotsylvania – Department of Public Utilities (County) in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to construct a 16-inch water main in Spotsylvania County, Virginia connecting the existing water mains located at the intersections of Brock Road (Route 613) / Judiciary Drive and Route 627 / Brock Road (Route 613) to create a connected and more efficient County-wide water system. In addition, this looped water system would connect an existing 16-inch water main at the Ni Water Treatment Plant on Route 627 to the 8-inch water line on Route 613, eliminating the single feeds to the Lake Acres area on Route 627 and the Spotsylvania County Courthouse area. By connecting these two existing dead-end water mains, a looped system would be formed to create a connected and more efficient County-wide water system. In addition, this looped water system would connect an existing 16-inch water main at the Ni Water Treatment Plant on Route 627 to the 8-inch water line on Route 613 eliminating the single feeds to the Lake Acres area on Route 627 and the Spotsylvania County Courthouse area. The proposed action will complete the Ni River Water Treatment Plant – Courthouse Loop, as described in the "Spotsylvania County Revisions to Water/Sewer Master Plan for Courthouse Area," dated April of 1999. In addition to creating a more efficient County-wide water system, this proposed water main will provide a solution for the NPS to improve the existing degraded water quality at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (FSNMP), Spotsylvania Battlefield Exhibit Shelter. Completion of this project will greatly benefit the NPS by not only providing a solution to existing water quality issues at the Spotsylvania Battlefield Exhibit Shelter but will also provide a fire protection connection for the park. An environmental assessment (EA) was released on March 4, 2005 for a 60-day public comment period in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NPS Director’s Order 12 (DO 12). The EA described the goals of the project, analyzed the effects of each alternative on the environment, and solicited public comment on the proposed action.