The Town of Oneida, the project sponsor, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) are beginning the planning process to develop a Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment for agricultural water management in Scott County, Tennessee. Agricultural water management includes drainage, ground water recharge, irrigation, water conservation, water quality improvement, and agricultural (including rural communities) water supply. The project is authorized by Public Law 83-566, the Watershed and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended.
The purpose of the project is to provide a dependable water supply to meet the current and future needs for the Town of Oneida customers without exceeding the safe yields of the existing reservoirs. The Oneida water system currently supplies water to approximately 4,500 customers in the Towns of Oneida, Winfield, and parts of unincorporated Scott County, Tennessee. The water system includes two water supply reservoirs, one water treatment plant (WTP), and the water distribution system. The Town of Oneida experienced a water supply deficiency during recent droughts.
NEPA requires USDA-NRCS to review the potential impacts on the natural and human environments associated with the project. The Environmental Assessment will examine alternatives in order to determine if any significant impacts would result from the proposed federal action. Alternatives requiring analysis include, but are not limited to, No Action, Structural Alternatives, Non-Structural Alternatives, Locally Preferred Alternative, and National Economic Efficiency Alternative. The project scoping process is to identify resource and public concerns in the development of the Plan-EA. The project information and presentations will be available here from March 22 through April 2. Written comments must be postmarked or received by April 30, 2021, and may be mailed to M&E Consultants, Attn: James Moore at 30 Altiplano Circle, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909; or submitted electronically to moore4939@sbcglobal.net.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Steve Owens at (423) 569-4295.
The Oneida City Park Splashpad is open for the summer!
The splash pad, which debuted in 2016 at the site of the park’s former swimming pool, opened Memorial Day weekend and will remain open through Labor Day weekend. The splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., during the park’s normal hours.
Admission is free.
The splash pad is available for all ages.