Finding of No Significant Impact

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
New Headquarters Project
Cass County, Michigan
Rural Utilities Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Midwest Energy Cooperative
Prepared by:
Environmental and Engineering Staff
RUS
April 2016
A.
INTRODUCTION
Midwest Energy Cooperative plans to submit a financing request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to construct the proposed New Headquarters Project (Project) in Cass
County, Michigan. RUS is considering this financing request. Prior to taking a federal action (i.e.,
providing financial assistance), RUS is required to complete an environmental impact analysis in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.), the Council
on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and
RD's NEPA implementing regulations, Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970). After
completing an independent analysis of an environmental report prepared by Midwest, RUS concurred
with its scope and content. In accordance with 7 CFR § 1970.102, RUS adopted the report and issued it
as the Agency's Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Project. RUS finds that the EA is
consistent with federal regulations and meets the standards for an adequate assessment. Midwest
published a newspaper notice, announcing the availability of the EA for public review, in accordance
with 7 CFR § 1970.102. In addition, RUS considers the proposed Project an undertaking subject to review
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 USC 470(f), and its implementing
regulation, "Protection of Historic Properties" (36 CFR Part 800).
B.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE/NEED
The overall purpose of the Project involves the relocation of all corporate and administrative functions
from the existing Headquarters site to a new site due to the projected employee and asset growth,
limitations to expansion at existing site, deteriorating condition of existing facilities, and need to abandon
existing site due to the expansion of the AEP transmission line project. The proposed Project would meet
Midwest Energy Cooperative's long-term corporate needs and objectives, including a projected 68 percent
growth in employees reporting to the Headquarters office over the next 15 years. After assessing
alternatives for the potential renovation and relocation of the existing site functions, Midwest Energy
Cooperative determined that facilities should be constructed at a new site. RUS has reviewed the purpose
and need for the Project and determined that the proposal will meet the present and future needs of
Midwest.
C.
ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED
1.
No Action
Under the No Action Alternative, RUS would not provide financial assistance to Midwest, or the
proposed Project would not be constructed. Under this alternative, Midwest Energy Cooperative
would continue operations and maintenance at the existing location and would not build the
proposed Project. This was not considered an option by leadership given the strategic direction of
the organization. The AEP Improvement Project further limited the option of staying on the current
site.
2.
Action Alternative (Preferred Alternative)
Under the Action Alternative, RUS would consider financing the proposed Project, and Midwest
would construct the New Headquarters Project. The proposed project would involve the
development of approximately 30 acres and construction of 129,471 ft2 of new facilities. The new
facility includes a two-story office building and operations wing (51,566 ft2), warehouse (15,115 ft2),
enclosed vehicle storage (31,225 ft2) with separate maintenance (12,290 ft2 ), covered vehicle
storage (12,600 ft2), and enclosed material storage (6,675 ft2). The plan also includes designated
member/guest parking, secure employee parking, and a gravel yard for pole bunks and propane
facilities. A two-acre parcel has been designated on the southwest side of the property for a new
substation. The substation is needed to increase the capacity of the Cooperative's electrical
distribution system. The property for this substation is not included in this Environmental
Assessment. A Construction Work Plan Amendment and Environmental Report for the new
substation will be completed at a later date.
The new facility will house approximately 100 employees when it opens in late 2017, and will be
designed for occupancy of approximately 160 employees, in line with the 15-year growth plan.
Facilities have been designed for future expansion beyond the 15-year growth plans as necessary.
The majority of employees will be housed in the two-story office building.
3.
Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration
In addition to the No Action Alternative and Action Alternative, Midwest considered
renovating the current building at the existing site, which is documented in the Alternatives
section of the EA.
An option of renovating and building at the existing site was considered. The current office
building would be completely renovated on the interior and a new wing would be
constructed adjacent in the area vacated by the existing warehouse/vehicle building. Current
Enclosed Material Storage building would be expanded and a new 2-story Enclosed Material
Storage building would be constructed to house the warehouse, maintenance, covered
vehicle and enclosed vehicle storage needs. While the staffing could be accommodated with
this plan, operational efficiencies were further challenged on the very limited parcel of
property. The AEP Improvement Project further limited our option of staying on the current
site.
D.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The analyses in the EA documented that the proposed Project would have minimal effects. See
table below.
Summary Comparison of Alternatives and Impacts
Resource
Proposed Facility
No Action
Alternative
Air Quality
Minimal impacts during construction. Operational
impacts are expected to be below the National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) standards.
Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) Emissions
Land Use
Minimal impacts
Impact
No
Impact
No Changes to zoning. It is currently zoned for commercial
No
use
Impact
Geology, Soils and
No impacts to geology; minimal impacts to prime farmland
Farmland
(30 acres removed)
Surface Water
No
Potential sedimentation from construction would be
controlled by storm water pollution prevention measures
No Impact
No Impact
Groundwater
No Impact
No Impact
Vegetation
No Impact
No Impact
Wildlife
No Impact
No Impact
Threatened and
No Impact. No effect on any species due to no habitat for any
Endangered Species
listed species in the project area.
Wetlands
No wetlands on proposed Project site; no impacts to streams
No Impact
No Impact
Floodplains
No floodplains on proposed Project site
No Impact
Socioeconomic and
Community Resources
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
Aesthetics
Minimal Impact
No Impact
Transportation
Minimal Impact
No Impact
Human Health and
Safety
No Impact
No Impact
Cultural Resources
No Impact. No historic properties present in the APE.
No Impact
Environmental Justice
E.
PUBLIC AND AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
A local newspaper advertisement announcing the availability of the EA and participation under Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, was published on March 24th and 31' 2016, in the
Cassopolis Vigilant in Cassopolis, Michigan. A copy of the EA was available for public review at
Midwest Energy Cooperative 901 E. State Street, Cassopolis, Michigan and at TeamMidwest.com. The
30 day comment period ended on April 24, 2016. RUS received no comments.
F.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Based on its EA, RUS has concluded that the proposed Project would have no significant effects to
air quality, land use, geology, farmland, surface and groundwater, vegetation, wildlife, threatened
and endangered species, wetlands, floodplains, socioeconomic and community resources,
environmental justice, aesthetics, transportation, noise, human health and safety and cultural
resources. The proposed Project will have no effects on historic properties listed or eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places and no effects to federally listed species or
designated critical habitat.
The proposed Project would not disproportionately affect minority or low- income populations.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and RD's Environmental Policies and
Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970), RUS has determined that the environmental impacts of the proposed
Project have been adequately addressed and that no significant impacts to the quality of the human
environment would result from construction and operation of the proposed Project. Any final action by
RUS related to the proposed Project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all
relevant federal and state environmental laws and regulations. Because RUS's action will not result in
significant impacts to the quality of the human environment, RUS will not prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for its potential federal action associated with the proposed Project.
G.
RUS LOAN REVIEW AND RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
This FONSI is not a decision on a loan application and therefore not an approval of the expenditure of
federal funds. Issuance of the FONSI and its notices concludes RUS's environmental review process. The
ultimate decision on loan approval depends upon conclusion of this environmental review process in
addition to financial and engineering reviews. Issuance of the FONSI and publication of notices will allow
for these reviews to proceed. The decision to provide financial assistance also is subject to the availability
of loan funds for the designated purpose in RUS's budget. There are no provisions to appeal this decision
(i.e., issuance of a EONS!). Legal challenges to the FONSI may be filed in Federal District Court under the
Administrative Procedures Act.
H.
APPROVAL
This Finding of No Significant Impact is effective upon signature.
Dat
It
CHRISTOPHER MCLEAN
Assistant Administrator - Electric
Electric Program
RUS
Contact Person
For additional information on this FONSI and EA, please contact Lauren Cusick at 202-720-1414 or
Lauren.Cusick@wdc.usda.gov.