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<br />would be included in the initial phase for the 10- and 8-year options. <br />Environmental and social impact studies required for the second phase of <br />the program and for the operational phase would be undertaken. <br /> <br />All meteorological and engineering activities conducted during the initial <br />phase of each of the options are identical to lead-in activities found in <br />research-mode cloud seeding. These activities are covered by the Project <br />Skywater Programmatic FES and were discussed in the Sierra Cooperative <br />Pilot Project Environmental Assessment, and are also covered by Departmental <br />and WPRS Instructions providing for categorical exclusions for data <br />collection and other activities of a research nature that do not have <br />environmental impacts. All sites proposed for installation of instruments <br />are surveyed in -advance, usually in cooperation with a Federal land <br />manager such as the Forest Service. The stated Skywater policy is to <br />avoid all sites of aesthetic, archeological, or cultural significance and <br />to avoid all sites at or with which endangered or threatened animals or <br />plants are identified. <br /> <br />Because many years of studies and field experience have shown the environ- <br />mental effects of the activities that will occur during the initial phase <br />of any of the proposed cloud seeding options are not significant and are <br />not adverse, a Finding of No Significant Impact will be prepared for this <br />phase. Work will be underway during the initial phase to prepare the <br />environmental compliance document and project design required for the <br />second phase of the program. Preparation of these documents will include <br />design of the mitigating measures, monitoring systems, and suspension <br />criteria required for the Demonstration Phase and operational activities. <br /> <br />18 <br />