uintah basin replacement projects lake fork and yellowstone rivers

lake fork and yellowstone rivers Lake Fork/Yellowstone Planning, EIS & Preconstruction Alternatives are to be examined which increase efficiency, enhance beneficial uses, and achieve greater water conservation within the Upalco Unit area. The alternative to be developed should include project features which are more feasible and environmentally less damaging than the large reservoirs previously proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Planning of the Upalco Unit begins with defining and verifying projects goals and objectives. This is accomplished through extensive public involvement in which discussions with various interested parties (general public, special interest groups, local agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, environmental groups, etc.) are held regarding their wants, needs, and expectations for the project. In addition to public involvement, initiation of the planning process involves: developing preliminary project constraints and data definition; identifying environmental consideration issues; initiating site reconnaissance studies; developing preliminary findings regarding engineering, water users, public, environment, and project schedules; and developing a project work plan. The plan formulation process continues with the necessary data collection, determination of the purposes to be served by the project, and evaluation in detail of: features/resources to be included in the project; how the features are to be developed, and impacts of development; and available resources and requirements (water, land use, biological, and other environmental resources). An environmental baseline inventory is developed through the process of collecting, documenting, and evaluating the following existing conditions: water quality/usage, fish habitat, wildlife habitat, wetlands, vegetation, and cultural resources. Alternative plans are formulated and evaluated via system modeling, environmental evaluations, and cost/benefit analyses. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is accomplished through producing and processing EA and/or EIS documents. The EA/EIS "process" includes the preparation, in Draft through FES stage, as well as all the public involvement circulation and review of comments of activities also integral to other tasks defined in this document. Financial arrangements are developed to establish the financing for the projects. This involves: allocating costs, determining cost sharing arrangements, identifying and evaluating alternative sources of financing, determining water prices, and establishing contracting and payment arrangements. After all the evaluations have been performed and public input has been received a proposed action is selected. The plan formulation process culminates in the preparation of a Pre-Construction Report and NEPA compliance documents. Farnsworth Canal Rehabilitation Approximately 4.0 miles of the existing Farnsworth Canal would be rehabilitated to reduce water lost due to seepage. If rehabilitated with select clay lining, the velocities would need to be reduced by constructing "check-drop" structures. Crystal Ranch Reservoir (15%) An alternative to Clay Basin Dam, Crystal Ranch Reservoir is located on the boundary between the Uinta National Forest and the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. Its purpose is to store winter and peak summer flows for delivery later in the irrigation season, store water now stored in Wilderness Area High Mountain Lakes, and provide recreational opportunities. Big Sand Wash Reservoir Enlargement Big Sand Wash Reservoir Enlargement is part of an alternative to the construction of Pigeon Water Dam. Enlargement of Big Sand Wash Reservoir will allow recapture of flows released from Crystal Ranch Reservoir for maintenance of a fishery in the Yellowstone and Lake Fork Rivers, storage of water to replace storage in Twin Pots Reservoir, so Twin Pots can be maintained as a Tribal recreational facility, and storage of a water supply for the City of Roosevelt. Big Sand Wash Feeder Pipeline Big Sand Wash Feeder Pipeline is part of an alternative to the Pigeon Water Dam. Big Sand Wash Feeder Pipeline will be designed to allow instream flows for fish in the Lake Fork River for an additional two miles below the canal diversion and increase the capacity to divert winter flows from the Lake Fork River to Big Sand Wash Reservoir.