Release from DNR:

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The City of Loyal has requested approval from the Department of Natural Resources to upgrade its main sewage lift station and construct a force main to the City of Greenwood where the city’s wastewater will be treated by the Greenwood regional wastewater treatment facilities.

The existing aerated lagoon facility in Loyal will not be able to meet the new phosphorous limit of 1.0 mg/l that apply starting July 1, 2007 and will be abandoned. A combination of new and existing force main will transport wastewater from the main lift station in Loyal west along Willard Road and then north on USH 73 where it will discharge into an existing City of Greenwood gravity sanitary sewer. The City of Loyal will likely apply for a Wisconsin Clean Water Fund loan to help pay for the proposed project. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,066,000. A typical residential user charge is estimated to be $30 per month, depending on the availability of government grants and low interest or hardship loans.

While this type of action normally does not involve significant adverse environmental effects, the Department of Natural Resources is soliciting public comments regarding the impacts of the proposal.

Written or verbal comments are encouraged. Comments can be provided to Scott Boran, Bureau of Watershed Management, Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, (608) 266-7385. He can be reached by email at Scott.Boran@wi.gov comments should be submitted by July 25, 2007.

Based on the comments received, the Department of Natural Resources may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with approval or denial of the proposal. The analysis would summarize the agency’s consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.