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Record of oecisiA - 2 . Salinity control"rogram for Moapa Valley Unit Imorovement Proaram Final EIS. No implementation action was taken at that time. A Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 1991 and in the local newspapers. The same notice publicized a scoping meeting and invited participation by all interested parties. A scoping meeting was held in Overton, Nevada for federal, state and local agencies, organizations, and individuals on May 29, 1991. Notices were sent to all irrigation company shareholders in the impacted area as well as all concerned agencies and conservation groups. The major concerns expressed during the scoping meeting and associated mail-ins were (1) costs associated with the distribution system, (2) impacts to wildlife and its habitats, (3) new technology associated with improved systems, (4) costs of onfarm systems, and (5) operating and maintaining onfarm and off- farm systems. Alternatives proposed for the EIS included (1) no action, (2) irrigation water management with maintenance of existing system, (3) replacing all canals and laterals with new concrete lining and installing onfarm improvements, (4) retiring land from agriculture, (5) replacing canals and laterals with a pipeline system, installing onfarm improvements and changing irrigation delivery schedules, and (6) pipeline system with delivery system to Bowman Reservoir plus all features of Alternative 5. Alternatives 2, 3, 4 and 6 were evaluated to varying degrees. Alternative 5 includes installation of a pipeline distribution system in Lower Moapa Valley and improved surface irrigation systems in Upper and Lower Valleys. All systems will be managed to achieve improved irrigation efficiency. Alternative 5 was compared to the "No Action" alternative. Improved irrigation efficiency would achieve the Colorado River Salinity Program goal of decreasing salt in the Colorado River by decreasing seepage and deep percolation of irrigation water that leaches salt from the underlying soil and geologic formations. The annual salt load would be decreased by 18,700 tons per year when the project is fully implemented. It will accomplish this goal at an estimated cost of $38 per ton which compares favorably to other units of the Salinity Control Program. The principal adverse effect identified by the EIS was a decrease of irrigation-induced wetlands created by inefficient irrigation. The decrease in irrigation-induced wetlands is addressed by a voluntary replacement program, as mandated by the legislation, with a 70 percent cost share rate. To encourage habitat replacement, the voluntary OC2662