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<br />~ <br /> <br />Approval would allow data collection initiation that would assist an EA and/or EIS and satisfy data needs <br />of design phase studies. An EA effort will take 9 to 12 months with an estimated cost of $275,000 (used <br />in cost information). An EIS effort will take 6 to 12 additional months and approximately double the cost <br />(appendix D, super et aI, 1993). <br /> <br />The NEP A process will require the efforts of an interdisciplinary team. At least a six-member technical <br />team should be selected, consisting of a team leader, an environmental specialist, a public involvement <br />specialist, one meteorologist, one biologist, and a water quality specialistlhydrologist. Public <br />involvement will be necessary. An involvement plan will be developed in consultation with appropriate <br />Federal, State, and local agencies, plus interested and affected individuals and groups. An advisory group <br />consisting of local citizens should be established to assist in scoping environmental issues and to serve as <br />a communications link to the public. <br /> <br />Because some cloud seeding studies conducted in the West have had to deal with environmental <br />compliance, there exists some resource information that may be useful to the proposed program. <br />Additionally, an interagency work group of the late 1980s consisting of resource specialists from Federal <br />and State agencies began scoping compliance with environmental regulations of cloud seeding programs <br />that may involve operational level seeding. The work group looked into applicable regulation, <br />environmental study conduct, and likely required permitting. Possible impacts on wilderness areas were <br />discussed. Unfortunately, interagency efforts terminated prior to completion of goals. However, some <br />work study notes are available that may be of useful to the Headwaters Region program. <br /> <br />The Colorado licensing process for cloud seeding will require that a license be obtained for conducting <br />the seeding in the Headwaters Region. Regulation will require that a series of public meetings be <br />conducted prior to any seeding to inform the public and incorporate any public concerns into the project <br />design. <br /> <br />31 <br />