Southwest - La Plata West Rural Domestic Water Supply_Basin Application

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2. Outline the steps needed for completion of the project. What permit issues must be overcome? How will funds acquired in this process be used to accomplish the final goal? If grant funding is approved, it will help to finance the water supply structure design. This is the next steps in the long-term project plan. A qualified licensed engineering firm will be retained to develop structure design options. The preferred option will be selected based on the water supply system layout and project timeline. The project will have to closely coordinate construction of infrastructure with the Animas La Plata project (the water source for the system). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has reviewed the preliminary engineering designs for an intake structure and provided valuable comments. The BOR may also provide future assistance with the water supply structure design. Extensive study of potential impacts to archeological, cultural and environmental resources was completed by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Animas La Plata project. The infrastructure for the proposed water system will be largely within the ALP study area. Based on known information of the area, no impacts are anticipated from the proposed project. Further investigations will build on the existing information and ensure full compliance with all National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements. Funding from this grant will be used to conduct these studies and facilitate permitting. A portion of the funding requested in this application is for design and consulting fees in order to facilitate project compliance with all relevant permits and regulations. A Southwest Water Conservation District grant has been awarded to assist in current engineering, management and permitting expenses. A DOLA similar grant application is currently being reviewed. A grant submittal to the WSRA Statewide account is also in progress and pending approval of this Southwest Roundtable grant. 3. For prioritization of different proposals and assessment of the merits of the plan, can this project be physically built with this funding. Are further studies needed before actual construction is commenced (if the project anticipates construction)? Will these studies or additional steps delay the completion of the project substantially? The project is based on three previous studies that have developed a feasible preliminary engineering plan. A water supply system is a large project that will require several stages of funding and planning, as well as building. This grant, in addition to other grant funding, will fund the additional engineering and permitting necessary to build on the existing work and significantly advance the time-critical water supply structure. La Plata West Water Authority La Plata West Rural Domestic Water Supply System 12/27/2007 Page 2