Agency:

Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners

Project Title:

FAIN GNSSP22FL0039 – Wakulla Springshed Water Quality Protection Program

Location of Proposed Work Impacting Floodplain or Wetlands:

The area affected by this project consists of the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and residences located on Lawhon Mill Road.

Proposed Work:

The Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 2146 Lawhon Mill Road will be enhanced to include the construction of a new plant that will process influent to advanced wastewater treatment requirements. The proposed work will be constructed in a floodplain located to the south of the plant, as further described on the attached location map. It is anticipated that no adverse impacts to the floodplain and adjacent wetlands will occur as a result of this project.

This project is made possible by funding from the RESTORE Council through the Gulf Consortium and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Project Description:

This project includes the following: sitework (both pre-construction site preparation and post construction paving), and construction of a master influent lift station and equalization basin with screening capabilities, an administration and maintenance building, a 0.6 MGD AeroMod treatment train (Train 3), an effluent pump station and all associated piping/valves.

Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to provide wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements to reduce discharges of pollutants to the springshed of Wakulla Springs - and to the surface waters of the Wakulla River, St. Marks River, and Apalachee Bay - from existing septic systems and sewer overflows. This project will be performed at the county owned and maintained wastewater treatment facility. The facility, Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, is located at 2146 Lawhon Mill Road, Crawfordville, FL 32327. It is expected that this project will have a useful life of 39 years with preventative maintenance to maximize that life and efficiency.

Project Alternatives Considered:

In 2021, Wakulla County contracted with an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study of the County’s sewer infrastructure including the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Along with infrastructure review, the engineering firm offered alternatives to the project. The alternative offered by the firm is 1) no action.The alternative to the proposed project is not viable because under Alternative 1. If no action is taken to expand the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and improve influent treatment processes, the county would have to terminate all septic to sewer connections once the plant reaches capacity; the facility would be at risk of producing effluent that exceeds the advanced wastewater treatment levels, and it could pose a risk to releasing harmful untreated sewage from failing septic systems.

Comment Period:

Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners Attention Michelle Metcalf P.O. Box 1263 Crawfordville FL 32326. These are due within 30 days of this notice. The County will forward comments to the RESTORE Council via the Gulf Consortium as needed. Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:

Michelle Metcalf

Director, Intergovernmental Affairs

Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners

(850) 926-0919 Extension 703

mmetcalf@mywakulla.com

Public Hearing:

The Board of County Commissioners shall conduct a public hearing to consider the above-described action impacting floodplain or wetlands on May 15, 2023.

Any person desiring to appeal a decision of a County Board must ensure a verbatim transcript or copy is made of the testimony and exhibits presented as said hearings. All interested persons are invited to attend and participate in in the hearing. Persons with a disability needing a special accommodation should contact the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners Administration Office at least two (2) days prior to the meeting at (850) 926-0919; Hearing and Voice Impaired at 1-800-955-8771 or email at ADARequest@mywakulla.com.



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