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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~ ;4>; 0(' 0 ,'.-~, 5 0- '/ PREFACE The purpose of the B-4 study element was to identify and preliminarily eval uate the potenti al envi ronmental and soci oeconomi c impacts of impl e- menti ng several alternati ve water resource management strategi es, incl udi ng the "no action" or Baseline alternative. As outlined in the High Plains Study Interim Report, a three-step approach has been used. 1. Descri be the present envi ronmental and soci oeconomi c setti ng in the High Plains area overlying the Ogallala Aquifer and in significant areas adjacent to the Ogallala. The purpose is to provide a Baseline for assessing potential impacts of alter- native development strategies. 2. Adopt a methodology for assessing impacts that provides for a consistent and comprehensive comparison of the potential impacts of each of the alternative development strategies with the present Baseline conditions. 3. Perform the envi ronmental /soci oeconomic assessments and sug- gest possible mitigating measures where appropriate. Results of the assessments are arrayed in a manner that readily allows identification and comparison of the impacts. Emphasis in the B-4 study element is on assessing regional and sub- regional impacts of alternative futures. The states, in their individual "A" series studies, focus on impacts of a more local scope. A close coordi- nation and cooperation with the state researchers to insure consistency in regional and state assessments was maintained throughout the B-4 studies. The present setting in the subregions within each of the six states is characterized. All information and data used in this description has been obtained from reports and data files of federal, interstate, state and local agencies, from discussions with staffs of those agencies, from other work tasks in the A and B series of study elements, and from other sources of relevant data. viii