80 FR 14370 - Sole Source Aquifer Designation of the Mahomet Aquifer System in East-Central Illinois

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 53 (March 19, 2015)

Page Range		14370-14371
FR Document		2015-06365

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Section 1424(e) and in response to a petition by a coalition of cities, a town, villages, and a public university in east- central Illinois, the Regional Administrator for Region 5 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that a portion of the Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central Illinois is a sole or principal source of drinking water and if contaminated, would create a significant hazard to public health. As a result of this action, all projects receiving Federal financial assistance are subject to review by EPA regarding whether such projects may contaminate the designated aquifer system through a recharge zone so as to create a significant hazard to public health.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14370-14371]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06365]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9923-75-Region 5]


Sole Source Aquifer Designation of the Mahomet Aquifer System in 
East-Central Illinois

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of final determination.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Safe Drinking 
Water Act (SDWA) Section 1424(e) and in response to a petition by a 
coalition of cities, a town, villages, and a public university in east-
central Illinois, the Regional Administrator for Region 5 of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that a portion of 
the Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central Illinois is a sole or 
principal source of drinking water and if contaminated, would create a 
significant hazard to public health. As a result of this action, all 
projects receiving Federal financial assistance are subject to review 
by EPA regarding whether such projects may contaminate the designated 
aquifer system through a recharge zone so as to create a significant 
hazard to public health.

DATES: This determination is effective immediately.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Spaulding, EPA Region 5, Water 
Division, Ground Water and Drinking Water Branch, by mail at 77 W. 
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604; by telephone at (312) 886-9262; 
or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Section 1424(e) of the SDWA provides as follows:

    If the Administrator determines, on his own initiative or upon 
petition, that an area has an aquifer which is the sole or principal 
drinking water source for the area and which, if contaminated, would 
create a significant hazard to public health, he shall publish 
notice of that determination in the Federal Register. After the 
publication of any such notice, no commitment for Federal financial 
assistance (through a grant, contract, loan guarantee, or otherwise) 
may be entered into for any project which the Administrator 
determines may contaminate such aquifer through a recharge zone so 
as to create a significant hazard to public health, but a commitment 
for Federal financial assistance may, if authorized under another 
provision of law, be entered into to plan or design the project to 
assure that it will not so contaminate the aquifer.

42 U.S.C. 300h-3(e). The authority to designate an aquifer under this 
section has been delegated to the Regional Administrator.
    EPA in general considers a ``sole or principal source'' or sole 
source aquifer (SSA) to be an aquifer or aquifer system that is needed 
to supply fifty percent or more of the drinking water ``for the aquifer 
service area,'' and for which there is no reasonably available 
alternative source or sources that could physically, legally, and 
economically supply those dependent upon the aquifer. See U.S. EPA, 
1987, Sole Source Aquifer Designation Decision Process, Petition Review 
Guidance (``EPA Petition Review Guidance''). A portion of an aquifer 
can be designated if it is hydrogeologically separate from the rest of 
the aquifer. Id. at 6. Similarly, a system of hydrogeologically 
connected aquifers can be designated as an SSA. Id.
    On December 12, 2012, EPA received a petition to designate a 
portion of the Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central Illinois as an 
SSA from the City of Champaign and several partners, including the 
Cities of Urbana, Delavan, and Gilman; the Town of Normal; the Villages 
of Savoy, Mansfield, and Mahomet; and the University of Illinois at 
Urbana-Champaign. Following receipt of the petition, additional 
entities expressed support for the petition, including Champaign and 
DeWitt Counties; the Cities of Clinton and Watseka; the Villages of 
Armington and Waynesville; and the Illinois-American Water Company.
    In response to the petition, EPA published a notice of its intent 
to designate a portion of the Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central 
Illinois as an SSA and announced two Public Hearings in Champaign, 
Illinois on May 13, 2014, and in Morton, Illinois on May 14, 2014. This 
notice was published in two newspapers of general circulation in the 
area: The Champaign News Gazette and Peoria Journal Star, on March 12, 
2014. This notice also announced the request for written comments 
during the public comment period from March 13, 2014 to June 12, 2014.
    The public comments received by EPA generally support designation. 
EPA also received significant comments and additional scientific 
studies on the geology of the Mahomet Aquifer System during the comment 
period. These comments and additional studies required extensive 
evaluation and consideration. EPA has responded to the public comments 
in a document titled: ``Responsiveness Summary--Sole Source Aquifer 
Petition for the Mahomet Aquifer System in East-Central Illinois--March 
2015.'' The Responsiveness Summary and other relevant documents are 
available for public inspection during normal business hours at the 
following locations: Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., 
Champaign, Illinois; Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., 
Bloomington, Illinois; Pekin Public Library, 301 S. Fourth St., Pekin, 
Illinois; Havana Public Library, 201 W. Adams St., Havana, Illinois; 
Watseka Public Library, 201 S. 4th St., Watseka, Illinois; U.S. EPA's 
Region 5 Office Library, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois.

II. Description of Mahomet Aquifer System in East-Central Illinois

    The Mahomet Aquifer is located in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and 
possibly West Virginia. This SSA designation is for a hydraulically and 
hydrogeologically distinct portion of the aquifer system in east-
central Illinois bounded in the east by the Iroquois River and the 
North Fork of the Vermilion River and in the west by the Illinois 
River. Within the SSA area, deposits of saturated sand or sand and 
gravel found within the Quaternary

[[Page 14371]]

deposits are aquifers that provide most (approximately 94 percent) of 
the water used in this region. These Quaternary deposits directly 
overlie the bedrock and bury features on the bedrock surface. As a 
result of geological processes that have shaped the region, the 
hydrogeology is very complex.
    To define the boundary of the designated Mahomet Aquifer System, 
EPA verified that the 500-foot contour line and saturated thicknesses 
of the Mahomet Aquifer best represent the buried valleys that contain 
enough sand and gravel to be significant sources of groundwater. The 
Mahomet Aquifer has been mapped by studies that used boreholes to 
penetrate into the top surface of the Mahomet sand, providing greater 
accuracy on the extent of the aquifer than the bedrock surface alone. 
Recharge of the Mahomet Aquifer occurs throughout the designated SSA 
area. While much of the eastern portion of the SSA area is confined by 
low-permeability glacial till, studies demonstrate that recharge of the 
principal aquifer is occurring in this area, even though it may be 
occurring at a low rate. Recharge of the Mahomet Aquifer occurs at a 
much greater rate in the western portion of the SSA area. In addition, 
there are studies documenting connections between the aquifer zones in 
the shallower formations, namely the Glasford Formation, and the 
Mahomet Aquifer within the SSA area. For these reasons and those 
explained in more detail in the Responsiveness Summary, EPA is 
designating the entire aquifer system within the SSA area.

III. Basis for Determination

    In accordance with Section 1424(e) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300h-
3(e), the Regional Administrator considered the following factors to 
determine whether the petition should be granted: (1) Whether the 
Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central Illinois is the area's sole or 
principal source of drinking water; and (2) whether contamination of 
the aquifer system would create a significant hazard to public health. 
Based on information available to EPA, the Regional Administrator makes 
the following findings \1\ in favor of designating the Mahomet Aquifer 
System in east-central Illinois as an SSA:
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    \1\ The findings that support designation are set out more fully 
in an EPA publication titled: ``Support Document for Proposed 
Designation of the Mahomet Aquifer System as a Sole Source.'' This 
document is available to the public at the locations identified 
above.
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    (1) The Mahomet Aquifer System provides approximately 94 percent of 
the drinking water to the service area today. This exceeds the 50 
percent usage criteria for SSA designation in EPA's guidance. EPA 
Petition Review Guidance at 8. Moreover, demand on this aquifer system 
is expected to increase in the future. The Mahomet Aquifer System 
currently provides an estimated 53 million gallons per day (mgd) of 
drinking water to approximately 120 public water supplies and thousands 
of rural wells, together serving over 500,000 people. There currently 
are no intakes from surface waters for public water supplies within the 
aquifer service area.
    (2) Over 50 percent of the population in the Mahomet Aquifer System 
service area would be unable to find either a physically available or 
economically feasible alternative source of drinking water should the 
aquifer system become contaminated. Potential alternative sources of 
drinking water near the proposed aquifer service area include: (1) Sand 
and gravel aquifers outside the SSA area; (2) bedrock aquifers; (3) 
reservoirs; and (4) free-flowing streams and rivers. Due to low 
potential yields and poor water quality, bedrock aquifers are not a 
viable alternative source of drinking water. Similarly, nearby water 
supply reservoirs lack enough additional capacity to serve as viable 
alternative drinking water sources. Finally, for over 70 percent of the 
communities that are near enough to use sand and gravel aquifers 
outside the SSA area or free-flowing streams and rivers to deliver 
drinking water of the same or better quality, it would be economically 
infeasible to do so.
    (3) Contamination of the Mahomet Aquifer System would create a 
significant hazard to public health for east-central Illinois. The 
Mahomet Aquifer System is a significant water resource that is 
critically important to the safety and economic development of the 
area. It is the primary source of drinking water for over 100 
communities and tens of thousands of rural homeowners located within 14 
Illinois counties. In addition, the Mahomet Aquifer System furnishes 
water to many self-supplied agricultural, industrial, institutional, 
and commercial users that rely upon it for cooling, process water, and 
row-crop irrigation, providing an estimated 170 mgd to these users.

IV. Information Relevant to the Designation

    The information referenced to make this designation is available to 
the public and may be inspected during normal business hours at EPA 
Region 5 Library, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604. 
In addition, documents related to this designation are available at 
area public libraries listed above.

V. Project Review

    Following publication of this determination, ``no commitment for 
Federal financial assistance (through a grant, contract, loan 
guarantee, or otherwise) may be entered into for any project which the 
Administrator determines may contaminate such aquifer through a 
recharge zone so as to create a significant hazard to public health, 
but a commitment for Federal financial assistance may, if authorized 
under another provision of law, be entered into to plan or design the 
project to assure that it will not so contaminate the aquifer.'' 42 
U.S.C. 300h-3(e). EPA may review any such proposed projects and, where 
possible, make suggestions or recommendations to plan or design the 
project to ensure it will not contaminate the aquifer system so as to 
create a significant hazard to public health. Proposed projects that 
are funded entirely by state, local, or private concerns are not 
subject to SSA review by EPA.
    The project review area for this SSA consists of the designated SSA 
area plus three watersheds adjacent to the designated SSA area that 
provide recharge to the Mahomet Aquifer System. These watersheds are 
the Sugar Creek, the Sangamon River near Fisher, and the Tributary to 
the Middle Fork Vermilion River. A map of both the SSA area and the 
project review area can be found at the locations listed above.

VI. Conclusion

    Today's action designates the Mahomet Aquifer System in east-
central Illinois as an SSA. The designated SSA area and project review 
area are located in the following counties in Illinois: Cass, 
Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, 
McLean, Menard, Piatt, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Woodford. Maps 
depicting the designated SSA and project review areas are available to 
the public at the locations listed above.

    Dated: March 11, 2015.
Susan Hedman,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2015-06365 Filed 3-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices 14371

deposits are aquifers that provide most today. This exceeds the 50 percent documents related to this designation
(approximately 94 percent) of the water usage criteria for SSA designation in are available at area public libraries
used in this region. These Quaternary EPA’s guidance. EPA Petition Review listed above.
deposits directly overlie the bedrock Guidance at 8. Moreover, demand on
and bury features on the bedrock this aquifer system is expected to V. Project Review
surface. As a result of geological increase in the future. The Mahomet Following publication of this
processes that have shaped the region, Aquifer System currently provides an
determination, ‘‘no commitment for
the hydrogeology is very complex. estimated 53 million gallons per day
To define the boundary of the Federal financial assistance (through a
(mgd) of drinking water to
designated Mahomet Aquifer System, approximately 120 public water grant, contract, loan guarantee, or
EPA verified that the 500-foot contour supplies and thousands of rural wells, otherwise) may be entered into for any
line and saturated thicknesses of the together serving over 500,000 people. project which the Administrator
Mahomet Aquifer best represent the There currently are no intakes from determines may contaminate such
buried valleys that contain enough sand surface waters for public water supplies aquifer through a recharge zone so as to
and gravel to be significant sources of within the aquifer service area. create a significant hazard to public
groundwater. The Mahomet Aquifer has (2) Over 50 percent of the population health, but a commitment for Federal
been mapped by studies that used in the Mahomet Aquifer System service financial assistance may, if authorized
boreholes to penetrate into the top area would be unable to find either a under another provision of law, be
surface of the Mahomet sand, providing physically available or economically entered into to plan or design the
greater accuracy on the extent of the feasible alternative source of drinking project to assure that it will not so
aquifer than the bedrock surface alone. water should the aquifer system become contaminate the aquifer.’’ 42 U.S.C.
Recharge of the Mahomet Aquifer contaminated. Potential alternative 300h–3(e). EPA may review any such
occurs throughout the designated SSA sources of drinking water near the proposed projects and, where possible,
area. While much of the eastern portion proposed aquifer service area include: make suggestions or recommendations
of the SSA area is confined by low- (1) Sand and gravel aquifers outside the to plan or design the project to ensure
permeability glacial till, studies SSA area; (2) bedrock aquifers; (3)
it will not contaminate the aquifer
demonstrate that recharge of the reservoirs; and (4) free-flowing streams
system so as to create a significant
principal aquifer is occurring in this and rivers. Due to low potential yields
area, even though it may be occurring at and poor water quality, bedrock aquifers hazard to public health. Proposed
a low rate. Recharge of the Mahomet are not a viable alternative source of projects that are funded entirely by
Aquifer occurs at a much greater rate in drinking water. Similarly, nearby water state, local, or private concerns are not
the western portion of the SSA area. In supply reservoirs lack enough subject to SSA review by EPA.
addition, there are studies documenting additional capacity to serve as viable The project review area for this SSA
connections between the aquifer zones alternative drinking water sources. consists of the designated SSA area plus
in the shallower formations, namely the Finally, for over 70 percent of the three watersheds adjacent to the
Glasford Formation, and the Mahomet communities that are near enough to use designated SSA area that provide
Aquifer within the SSA area. For these sand and gravel aquifers outside the recharge to the Mahomet Aquifer
reasons and those explained in more SSA area or free-flowing streams and System. These watersheds are the Sugar
detail in the Responsiveness Summary, rivers to deliver drinking water of the Creek, the Sangamon River near Fisher,
EPA is designating the entire aquifer same or better quality, it would be and the Tributary to the Middle Fork
system within the SSA area. economically infeasible to do so.
Vermilion River. A map of both the SSA
(3) Contamination of the Mahomet
III. Basis for Determination Aquifer System would create a area and the project review area can be
In accordance with Section 1424(e) of significant hazard to public health for found at the locations listed above.
the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300h–3(e), the east-central Illinois. The Mahomet VI. Conclusion
Regional Administrator considered the Aquifer System is a significant water
following factors to determine whether resource that is critically important to Today’s action designates the
the petition should be granted: (1) the safety and economic development of Mahomet Aquifer System in east-central
Whether the Mahomet Aquifer System the area. It is the primary source of Illinois as an SSA. The designated SSA
in east-central Illinois is the area’s sole drinking water for over 100 area and project review area are located
or principal source of drinking water; communities and tens of thousands of in the following counties in Illinois:
and (2) whether contamination of the rural homeowners located within 14 Cass, Champaign, DeWitt, Ford,
aquifer system would create a Illinois counties. In addition, the Iroquois, Livingston, Logan, Macon,
significant hazard to public health. Mahomet Aquifer System furnishes Mason, McLean, Menard, Piatt,
Based on information available to EPA, water to many self-supplied Tazewell, Vermilion, and Woodford.
the Regional Administrator makes the agricultural, industrial, institutional, Maps depicting the designated SSA and
following findings 1 in favor of and commercial users that rely upon it project review areas are available to the
designating the Mahomet Aquifer for cooling, process water, and row-crop public at the locations listed above.
System in east-central Illinois as an irrigation, providing an estimated 170
SSA: mgd to these users. Dated: March 11, 2015.
(1) The Mahomet Aquifer System Susan Hedman,
provides approximately 94 percent of IV. Information Relevant to the
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Designation Regional Administrator, Region 5.
the drinking water to the service area [FR Doc. 2015–06365 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am]
The information referenced to make
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
1 The findings that support designation are set out this designation is available to the
more fully in an EPA publication titled: ‘‘Support public and may be inspected during
Document for Proposed Designation of the
Mahomet Aquifer System as a Sole Source.’’ This
normal business hours at EPA Region 5
document is available to the public at the locations Library, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
identified above. Chicago, Illinois 60604. In addition,

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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:42:16
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:42:16

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of final determination.
Dates		This determination is effective immediately.
Contact		William Spaulding, EPA Region 5, Water Division, Ground Water and Drinking Water Branch, by mail at 77 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604; by telephone at (312) 886-9262; or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 14370