By Aberdeen Insider - August 20, 2026 in PRAIRIEWOOD SANITARY DISTRICT, SOUTH DAKOTA
WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT IMPROVEMENTS
C461290-01
AUGUST 20, 2026
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION
FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE PRAIRIEWOOD SANITARY DISTRICT, SOUTH DAKOTA
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) conducted a review of a proposal from the Prairiewood Sanitary District for a Wastewater Collection and Treatment Improvements project.
Prairiewood Sanitary District is proposing improvements to its Wastewater Collection and Treatment system to meet compliance requirements for its discharge permit. The improvements include adding a new lift station, removing sludge from existing cell bottoms and embankments, installing a new compacted clay liner, riprap, and surfacing the gravel access road.
Prairiewood Sanitary District was awarded a $1,249,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with 34.1% Consolidated grant not to exceed $646,000. The loan has a rate of 4.00 percent and a term of 30 years. Current residential sewer rates are $60.00 flat per customer per month. Prairiewood Sanitary District has pledged annual revenue for repayment of the loan and it is estimated that $153,600 revenue is needed to provide required debt coverage.
Listed below are the reasons for granting a categorical exclusion:
1. The project is 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.
2. The project involves sanitary sewer or storm sewer within the developed portion of the community.
3. No comments requiring mitigative action were received from the South Dakota Historical Society, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, United States Department of Interior, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, or through the public participation process.
The proposed action does not involve any serious local objections, nor does it meet any of the criteria for not granting a categorical exclusion as specified in [Section 6.505(c) (i) through (iii) of 40 CFR Part 6, Subpart E].
The project area will not affect any historical or archaeological resources. The project should have no direct or indirect adverse effects on plant life or wildlife. No other environmentally sensitive issues have been identified in the planning of this project.
The review process did not indicate that significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed project. Consequently, a preliminary decision not to prepare an EIS has been made. This action is taken on the basis of a careful review of the engineering report, environmental information documents, correspondence with responsible governmental agencies and other supporting data which are on file at the Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Environmental Funding Program, DANR, Pierre, South Dakota, and are available for public scrutiny at the office of Helms and Associates located at 416 Production St N, Aberdeen,
SD 57401.
Comments supporting or disagreeing with this decision may be submitted to DANRMail@state.sd.us for consideration by DANR after publication of the Categorical Exclusion Determination. Categorical Exclusion determinations are final upon publication, DANR may consider comments provided if determined necessary.
/s/Tina McFarling
Administrator
Published once on August 20, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $40.73 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com