WSP13037

• File Number: 8280.10
• Description: CREST - Colorado River Enhancement Snowpack Test
• State: CO
• Author: Unknown - Crest members/BOR?
• Title: Briefing Document for the Colorado River Enhancement Snowpack Test
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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United States Department of the Interior

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DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy
Act published in the Federal Register November 9, 1978, the Chief of the
Office of Atmospheric Resources Research, Water and Power Resources Service,
Engineering and Research Center, has determined that an environmental state-
ment is not required to conduct the Design Phase of a Colorado River
Augmentation Demonstration Program.

This document and the program environmental assessment will be available for
public inspection at the offices listed in Attachment 1 and local public
libraries to be announced later.

This document and the program environmental assessment serve as the basis for
determination that no further action is necessary to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190) for the following
reasons:

1. The Design Phase of a Colorado River Augmentation Demonstration
Program, involving installation of instruments on small isolated sites,
atmospheric and ground-based data collection and its analyses, calibration
of seeding procedures and project equipment, and development of the
project design for the Demonstration Phase, is not considered a major
Federal action having significant and/or adverse impacts on the natural
and human environment.

2. Because of the Office of Atmospheric Resources Research policy of
avoidance of archeological and historic sites, sites where endangered or
threatened species of animals or plants are found, and sites of extra-
ordinary aesthetic value, installation of instrumentation networks and
data collection activities will not affect any such special interest areas
that may be found in the Basin.

3. Preparatory field activities in the Colorado River Basin during a
Design Phase of a precipitation management program will not affect precip-
itation patterns or existing water resource uses, and they will not
preclude other existing or proposed land uses.