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C" <br />FORMULATION AND COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES <br />' The following objectives were defined by project sponsors at the onset <br />of the project: (1) Reduce negative water quality impacts to surface <br />and groundwater from selenium, sediment, salts and nitrate loading; (2) <br />' Achieve better water application to more effectively use available <br />water for on and off -site uses; (3) Protect the soil resource base from <br />excessive irrigation induced erosion. <br />' Data were collected during field inventories and expanded to reflect <br />the condition and needs for the entire watershed. Treatment <br />alternatives were considered and defined, based on the types and extent <br />' of the problems taking place. The sponsors and publics participated in <br />the formulation of several treatment alternatives. The effectiveness <br />of each alternative in reaching the goals of the sponsors was evaluated <br />' and a recommended plan selected. <br />Formulation Process <br />' With the sponsors objectives identified, two levels of inventories were <br />conducted. A cursory inventory of the entire watershed, followed by a <br />detailed inventory of 80 percent of the area was carried out. The <br />' total needs for the sampled area were identified. A list of potential <br />measures to deal with the identified problems was drafted based on <br />measure effectiveness, efficiency, completeness and acceptability. <br />' Also considered during alternative development were aspects of the <br />Arkansas River Compact. It was determined that none of the <br />' alternatives to be considered would change the amount of water to be <br />diverted from the river or to project area laterals and field ditches. <br />Since the majority of the soils and underlying geologic formations in <br />the watershed are similar, the problems and needs are similar. The <br />watershed was therefore evaluated as one treatment unit during the <br />formulation process. <br />Project formulation followed the inventory, forecasting, and analysis <br />of the resource conditions that were found relevant to the identified <br />problems and opportunities. Measures considered in the formulation of <br />alternative plans included various approaches. Approaches believed to <br />be effective in addressing one or more of the problems or opportunities <br />as well as protecting the environment were further analyzed. <br />Civil rights impacts were considered during project formulation and <br />alternative comparison. Consideration was given during data gathering, <br />and documentation and alternative development. Each alternative <br />developed will not limit accessibility or exclude potential program <br />beneficiaries based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, <br />age, disability, marital or familial status when compared to other <br />persons. <br />Alternatives were formulated to: reduce selenium concentrations in the <br />ground water to acceptable limits, conserve and more effectively use <br />25 <br />