spanish fork nephi irrigation system project area summary planning & reports distribution pipeline / pumping plant project map

planning & reports Planning of the SFN System begins with the defining and verifying of 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 reconnaisssance 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 the producing and processing of 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 Definite Plan Report and NEPA compliance documents.