CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION
FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF:	Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

	Bowman (Bowman County), North Dakota

CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROJECT NUMBER: 381022-01
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project for the City of Bowman in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Part 6). The NDDEQ has determined that this project is eligible for a categorical exclusion and is exempt from further substantive environmental review.
Because the proposed project meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion, a full Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment will not be required. The following is a description of the proposed project and a brief statement of how the project meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion.
The proposed project consists of improvements to the sanitary sewer system for the City of Bowman. The existing system is made up primarily of old vitrified clay pipe (VCP) and various areas of lined VCP and PVC pipe. The system has experienced significant deterioration over the years, is undersized in many areas, and has reached the end of its useful life. This deterioration creates maintenance issues and failures throughout the entire system such as cracks and breaks, poor alignment, root intrusion, exposed soil, and groundwater infiltration. Failure to correct these issues will result in continued risk to the surrounding environment and public health.
The proposed project will rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system using primarily trenchless methods such as cured-in-place pipe and pipe bursting, and open cut excavation to repair sanitary sewer mains and manholes. By addressing flow restrictions and groundwater infiltration, these improvements will lower maintenance costs, extend the infrastructure's lifespan, and ensure the consistent, safe conveyance of wastewater for the City of Bowman.
The City of Bowman has applied for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $3,967,000 to finance the project. The city has the legal authority and financial and administrative capability to construct the proposed improvements.
This project is being granted an exclusion because the improvements will occur entirely within the alignment of existing streets and right-of-way owned by the city. No previously undisturbed areas will be affected by the construction activities. The North Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer concurs with a determination of “No Historic Properties Affected” for the project provided the project takes place in location and in the manner described in the documentation and all borrow comes from an approved source. 
However, if the project scope should change and work go into any lots, they request that their office be notified for additional review, as there are properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places in this area (ND SHPO Ref.: 26-0027). It has been determined that exempting the proposed project from further review under the National Environmental Policy Act will not result in adverse impacts to the population or area of Bowman and Bowman County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reviewed this project (ID No. NWO-2025-01606-BIS) and determined that a Section 404 permit is not required.
The documentation to support this decision will be on file and available for public review at the NDDEQ, Division of Municipal Facilities.
Comments concerning this decision may be addressed to Evan Wahl, Environmental Engineer, Division of Municipal Facilities, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, 4201 Normandy St., Bismarck, ND, 58503-1324.
Dated April 30, 2026.

David J. Bruschwein, P.E.
Director
Division of Municipal Facilities