Wyoming DEQ Clears Laramie Lead Service Line Project for Phase 1 Work

Wyoming's Department of Environmental Quality cleared the path for Laramie's Lead Service Line Project Phase 1 this week, issuing a categorical exclusion determination that exempts the work from further state environmental review and eliminates the need for a formal Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement.

The Water Quality Division conducted its review in accordance with EPA and State of Wyoming procedures for implementing the State Environmental Review Process. The agency concluded the project qualifies for the exclusion because the work stays almost entirely beneath Laramie's already-developed streets and alleys, running along existing city water mains. "The vast majority of the connections to be investigated reside underneath already developed city streets or alleys and are positioned on city water mains," DEQ stated in its determination. "This project will be completely constructed in previously disturbed ground, specifically ground disturbed by already developed city streets or alleys."

That physical footprint proved decisive. Because the project breaks no new ground, DEQ determined that neither an Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact nor an Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision is required before work can begin.

DEQ concluded the determination "will not result in adverse impacts to the population or the area of the City of Laramie, and Albany County, Wyoming."

The Laramie project is part of a broader wave of lead service line actions moving through DEQ's review pipeline. The agency's recent updates show categorical exclusion determinations issued for similar lead service line investigation and replacement projects in Thermopolis, Kaycee, and Cody, alongside other water infrastructure notices for Buffalo and Sheridan. A separate public meeting notice for the Laramie Phase 1 project also appeared in DEQ's Water Quality and State Revolving Fund update listings, though details on that meeting's date, time, and location were not included in the agency's public notice materials.

Key specifics about the Laramie project, including the number of service lines to be investigated, which streets or neighborhoods are targeted, total project cost, funding sources, and a construction timeline, were not included in DEQ's categorical exclusion notice and remain outstanding. The City of Laramie's Public Works and Utilities departments would be the appropriate contacts for those details as Phase 1 moves toward construction.