APPROVAL OF A CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - Wise County Public Service Authority (WCPSA)

PUBLIC NOTICE

APPROVAL OF A 

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR A 

PROJECT FUNDED THROUGH SPECIAL 

APPROPRIATIONS FOR 

HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON AND THE 

HAWAI’I WILDFIRES

Public Notice No.: 

HMW 017-25

First Publication Date: 

July 3, 2026

     The Virginia Department of Health has under consideration a request for a Categorical Exclusion from an Environmental Assessment for a waterworks project proposed to be funded through the Virginia Water Supply Revolving Fund. The applicant is Wise County Public Service Authority (WCPSA).

    The proposed project consists of the installation of 3 generators at sites vital for continued system operations during power outages. The Pole Bridge Flow Control Valve and Bull Hill Repeater Site have no operational ability during outages, and the Bean Gap Pump Station has a generator that needs to be manually started. This project would install a 30-kilowatt generator at the pump station and a 15-kilowatt generator at the other sites, as well as related electrical and site work. Topsoil will be removed to install a concrete pad at each location. Work will be within the existing PSA property – no easements will be required. The pump station and repeater site have existing fences. Fencing may be added to the control valve site if the budget allows, which will involve minor tree clearing. No adverse environmental impacts are anticipated.

   The project meets the following exclusion categories established by the Department: 

   • An upgrade in level of treatment or facility improvements of an existing treatment works on the existing site of the works. The proposed action will result in a modest change in size, use, capacity, or purpose of the original location and is being designed predominately to serve residential users.

    Documentation supporting this request includes: 

    • Request for Categorical Exclusion from WCPSA dated 3/23/2026

    • Financial and Construction Assistance Programs Environmental Review site visit memorandum dated 6/24/2026

     •  Preliminary Engineering Report from WCPSA dated 5/1/2025

    On the basis of a review of the request and support documentation, the Virginia Department of Health proposes to approve the request.

  Persons may comment in writing to the Department on the proposed approval of the Categorical Exclusion within 30 days from the first publication date. Comments shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the writer and shall contain a complete, concise statement of the factual basis for the comments. Only those comments received within this period will be considered by the Department. Following the comment period, the Department will make its determination regarding the approval.

    All comments should be addressed to:

Anthony Hess

c/o Theresa Hewlett

Virginia Department 

of Health

Office of Drinking Water

109 Governor Street

6th Floor

Richmond, VA 23219

7-3-2t s7-10