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Council hears update on regional sewer project; FEMA environmental review remains pending
Summary
City engineers updated councilors on the regional sewer/regionalization project and on FEMA review of environmental work subcontracted earlier in the project. SEH and staff said they are waiting for FEMA determination before proceeding with final design and bidding; council discussed ways to press FEMA and DES for faster decisions.
City engineering staff briefed the Lincoln City Council on the status of the regional sewer (regionalization) project and federal review processes Thursday. The engineers said FEMA is still determining whether additional environmental documentation is required for work subcontracted earlier in the project, and that SEH is coordinating required materials for FEMA and the Department of Emergency Services (DES).
"The FEMA BRIC/CRS process is still moving through their process," an engineering representative said, and staff reported they have had several meetings with FEMA/DES during January and February to provide requested documentation. The engineers said they are awaiting FEMA’s termination/determination and continue to work on easement acquisitions and coordination with affected landowners and the airport.
Current cost estimates discussed by staff were near $18 million for the full project; staff noted that costs have risen through design updates and that timing could determine whether the project can be bid and started later this summer. Council members asked about contingency planning for spring thaw and higher flows, and whether the city should escalate outreach to FEMA or DES to accelerate determinations. Staff said the city’s direct contractor contacts run through DES and that staff would attempt to press for clearer timelines.
No formal council action was taken on the regional sewer project at the Feb. 20 meeting; staff requested direction on continuing coordination with FEMA and on completing engineering deliverables. Councilors encouraged staff to pursue all available avenues to expedite the FEMA review, including elevated outreach through DES contacts.
The council also discussed public perception — a council member said they had heard claims that Lincoln was delaying the project; engineering staff denied that the city was the source of any delay and said staff have provided documentation as requested by FEMA/DES.
