Latest news with #DANR
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State offering free PFAS cleanup to local fire departments, schools
Firefighting foam, used at airports and military bases, has been identified as a source of toxic PFAS chemicals. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration) The state of South Dakota will spend up to $250,000 to clear PFAS chemicals from local areas in the coming year. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or 'forever chemicals,' break down at an exceedingly slow rate in the natural environment. They're found in products like nonstick cookware, water-resistant items like umbrellas or rain jackets, and cleaning products, among other items. Concerns about their prevalence in the environment and their impacts on human health have grown steadily in recent years, as they've been discovered in drinking water, fish and food packaging. SD House defeats bill requiring 'forever chemical' labels on firefighting gear PFAS are also found in a kind of firefighting foam that's fallen out of favor, but fire departments around the U.S., including in South Dakota, still have some and need to dispose of it. The South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources awarded a $250,000 Solid Waste Management grant to the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) last month to help communities collect and dispose of some PFAS sources. The citizen-led water resources board evaluates projects and signs off on funding through the solid waste program. The grant will allow fire departments with PFAS foam, or schools whose science labs may still have chemicals, to summon the department's contractor to collect and safely dispose of them at an out-of-state location. The state will also reach out directly to agencies, and has begun to contact fire departments, airports, and other public entities by phone to find out if they have PFAS for disposal. The money comes from the Inspection, Compliance, and Remediation program, funded by a mix of fuel tank inspection fees and the sale of lottery tickets. Typically, cleanup grants through the program cover 80% of cleanup costs, with the entity requesting cleanup expected to cover the rest. The South Dakota Legislature approved Senate Bill 33 this year to let DANR put $250,000 of program funds toward PFAS cleanups with no local match. Andy Bruels with the DANR told the water resources board in March that a previous PFAS cleanup a few years ago cleaned up 'a fair amount of material.' The contractor hauled it out of state for disposal, as typical landfills can't adequately prevent the chemicals from continued seepage into the environment. The legislation also allowed for the grants to be used in waste tire cleanup, but Bruels said the primary focus will be PFAS and that it's unlikely much will be left for that secondary purpose. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DANR announces nearly $140 million for statewide environmental projects
Mar. 28—PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced Thursday that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $139,791,400 in loans and grants for projects related to drinking water, wastewater and solid waste in South Dakota. The $139,791,400 total consists of $121,686,200 in low-interest loans and $18,105,200 in grants to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "Safe and reliable water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure is essential for protecting our natural resources and building stronger communities for future generations," DANR secretary Hunter Roberts said in a press release. "I want to thank the Board of Water and Natural Resources for approving the funding recommendations." Among the recipients of funding was Mitchell. Mitchell received a $2,350,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to upgrade wastewater and stormwater facilities along East Fifth Avenue from Burr Street to Foster Street. The loan terms are 3.5% for 20 years. Additionally, the city received a $1,325,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to upgrade water infrastructure along East Fifth Avenue from Burr Street to Foster Street. The loan terms are 3.25% for 30 years. The community also received a $241,500 Solid Waste Management grant to assist in purchasing a new tractor-scraper for the landfill. Funds were awarded through various programs, including DANR's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, Water Environment Fund, and Solid Waste Management Program. The funding is part of the state's broader efforts to improve water and waste infrastructure across South Dakota. Other communities benefiting from the funding include: Huron received a $192,500 Solid Waste Management grant to purchase a yard waste collection truck. This truck will also be used as a secondary recycling collection vehicle. Oacoma received a $1,657,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to improve its wastewater treatment facility and collection system. This funding is for the second of five phases, which address the downtown lift station. The loan terms are 3.75% for 30 years. Platte received a $19,700 Solid Waste Management grant to purchase two recycling trailers. This will reduce solid waste volume at the source and increase recycling within the community, as it is not currently offered. Wessington Springs received a $1,245,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to improve their wastewater treatment system. These improvements include the drainage system around the ponds, reshaping and stabilizing pond berms, and replacing electrical and mechanical components of the lift station. The loan terms are 3.75% for 30 years. Wessington Springs also received a $1,565,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,259,000 in principal forgiveness to replace approximately 3,800 feet of asbestos cement and cast-iron pipe. This will complete the city's ongoing transition to PVC pipe. The loan terms are 3.0% for 30 years. Appropriations from the Water Environment Fund and Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program are funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection Fee and the sale of lotto tickets. These appropriations provide funding for water, wastewater, and watershed projects. The legislature annually appropriates dedicated water and waste funding for the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program through the Governor's Omnibus Water Funding Bill. The Solid Waste Management Program provides loans and grants for solid waste disposal, recycling, and waste tire projects. The legislature annually appropriates dedicated funding for the Solid Waste Management Program through the Omnibus Water Funding Bill. The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs, which provide low-interest loans for wastewater, stormwater, water conservation, nonpoint source projects, and public drinking water system projects. The programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds. The board approved the funding at Thursday's meeting in Pierre.
