Environmental Review
An Environmental Information Document (EID) is a written assessment describing the environmental impacts of a proposed wastewater or drinking water construction project. An EID must be completed by drinking water and clean water (wastewater) planning grant recipients who seek federal funding. In addition, before a loan offer may be made to a community for a project on either the DEQ drinking water or clean water fundable/priority list, an EID must be completed.
The EID must identify the major human-made and natural features of the environment that will be affected by the proposed project as well as direct, indirect, short-term, long-term, and cumulative effects. It must demonstrate that the project is environmentally sound and verify that any adverse environmental impacts have been avoided, minimized, or mitigated.
Upon receipt of an EID, DEQ reviews the document and makes a determination whether the EID meets state environmental review process requirements. If so, DEQ may issue one of the following environmental determinations on a project:
- Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex): Issued when DEQ determines that the actions proposed do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment.
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI): Issued when DEQ determines (1) the actions not otherwise categorically excluded will not have a significant effect on the human environment and (2) an environmental impact statement does not need to be prepared.
If the proposed project will significantly affect the quality of the human environment, an Environmental Impact Statement is required.
When a draft FONSI determination is issued, a public comment period is held and the FONSI is then finalized. Cat Ex determinations do not require a public comment period. Listed below are final Cat Ex and FONSI environmental determinations issued by DEQ between January 1, 2015 and present day for drinking water and wastewater grant and loan projects in Idaho:
| Project Name | Applicant Name | Environmental Determination | Related Document(s) | Issuance Date |
| Albion (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Albion | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the City | 09/06/16 |
| Ashton (City of) Wastewater Facility Improvements | City of Ashton | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | Letter to the City | 01/10/17 |
| Blackfoot (City of) Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements | City of Blackfoot | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 11/14/16 | |
| Bloomington (City of) Wastewater Facility Improvements | City of Bloomington | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | Letter to the City | 07/08/16 |
| Bloomington (City of) Water Facilities Project | City of Bloomington | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 05/06/16 | |
| Burley (City of) Drinking Water Project | City of Burley | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 03/09/15 | |
| Challis (City of) Drinking Water Improvements | City of Challis | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 04/08/16 | |
| Chubbuck (City of) Water Facilities Project | City of Chubbuck | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 06/03/16 | |
| Coeur d'Alene (City of) Wastewater Improvements Phase 5C.2 | City of Coeur d'Alene | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 08/12/15 | |
| Country Club Hills Wastewater Improvement Project | Country Club Hills Utilities, Inc. | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 01/08/15 | |
| East Shoshone County Water District Drinking Water Improvements | East Shoshone County Water District | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 04/03/15 | |
| Filer (City of) Water System Upgrades | City of Filer | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the City | 05/19/16 |
| Firth and Basalt (Cities of) Wastewater Collection and Treatment Improvement Project | Cities of Firth and Basalt | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the Cities | 10/28/15 |
| Franklin (City of) Wastewater Treatment Improvements Project | City of Franklin | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the City | 12/30/15 |
| Gooding (City of) Drinking Water Improvements | City of Gooding | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the City | 09/21/16 |
| Groveland Water and Sewer District Water Facilities Improvements | Groveland Water and Sewer District | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 03/02/16 | |
| Hagerman (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Hagerman | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 05/25/16 | |
| Hailey (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Hailey | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 04/09/15 | |
| Hazelton (City of) Water System Improvements Project | City of Hazelton | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 01/13/17 | |
| Hidden Lake Float Home Association Wastewater Collection Improvements | Hidden Lake Float Home Association | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 07/14/15 | |
| Jerome (City of) Wastewater Improvement Project | City of Jerome | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Reaffirmation | 08/03/16 | |
| Lava Hot Springs (City of) Water System Improvements | City of Lava Hot Springs | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 06/28/16 | |
| Moose Mountain Subdivision Property Owners Association Drinking Water Project | Moose Mountain Subdivision Property Owners Association | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 01/08/15 | |
| New Meadows (City of) Wastewater Treatment System Improvements | City of New Meadows | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 09/22/15 | |
| Notus (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Notus | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 08/19/16 | |
| Parma (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Parma | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 05/06/16 | |
| Pierce (City of) Wastewater Improvements | City of Pierce | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 04/14/16 | |
| Plummer (City of) Drinking Water System Upgrades | City of Plummer | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 01/06/16 | |
| Priest River (City of) Wastewater Utility Improvements | City of Priest River | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 03/23/16 | |
| Rexburg (City of) Drinking Water Improvement Project | City of Rexburg | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 07/14/15 | |
| Rupert (City of) Drinking Water Improvements | City of Rupert | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 09/04/15 | |
| Sandpiper Shores Master Utility Wastewater Improvements | Sandpiper Shores Master Utility | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 10/24/16 | |
| Smith Road Water Users Association Drinking Water Improvements | Smith Road Water Users Association | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | 09/28/15 | |
| South Fork Coeur d’Alene Sewer District - Page Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements | South Fork Coeur d’Alene Sewer District | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the District | 05/29/15 |
| Teton Reserve HOA Water Facilities Improvement Project | Teton Reserve HOA | Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) | Letter to the Association | 06/01/16 |
| Wallace (City of) Wastewater Improvement Project | City of Wallace | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | 01/08/15 | |
| White Bird (City of) Wastewater Utility Improvements Project | City of White Bird | Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) | Letter to the City | 12/30/15 |