Sole
Source Aquifer
Question:
Must the environmental review for a HUD-assisted project include
an evaluation of the impacts to a sole source aquifer or other aquifer?
Answer:
The
environmental review must evaluate the potential impact to any sole
source aquifer designated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
or other aquifer when the HUD assisted project is located on or would
affect the aquifer. Generally, this requirement applies only to the
approval of HUD assistance for new construction, conversion of land
use, or acquisition of undeveloped land (24
CFR 58.5(d) or 24
CFR 50.4 (d)). The environmental review must:
- identified the aquifer,
- provide a written explanation that is made by a qualified
data source as to the effect of the proposed project on the
aquifer and the measures to ameliorate the adverse effect (if
any),
- include a copy of any comments received from the EPA and the
State or local agency with jurisdiction for protecting the drinking
water system, and
- include a copy of the written responses to such comments.
Protecting Sole Source Aquifers or Other Aquifers
Question:
What is the authority for the requirement to protect sole source
aquifers?
Answer:
The Sole
Source Aquifer (SSA) Protection Program is authorized by Section
1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 201, 300
et. seq., and 21 U.S.C. 349) that requires protection of drinking
water systems that are the sole or principal drinking water source
of an area and which, if contaminated, would create a significant
hazard to public health. Aquifers are a geological formation, group
of formations, or part of formation that is capable of yielding
a significant amount of water to a well or spring (40 CFR 149.2).
Information Sources for Protecting Sole Source Aquifers
Question:
Where is information available on sole source aquifers?
Answer:
For a list of EPA-designated sole source aquifers, see the homepage
of the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water at their website.
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