Water Conservation / Supply Reconnaissance Study Part 1

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• Scoping memoranda for the following seven categories of alternatives were developed: 1. Reservoirs 2. Water Conservation (Agricultural and Municipal) 3. Reuse 4. Incentive Based Reductions in Agricultural Water Use 5. Groundwater 6. Systems Integration and Management 7. Watershed Management Water conservation was later divided into two sub - categories, which include Agricultural Conservation and Municipal Conservation. The scoping memoranda used for the initial screening included definitions of the alternatives, information regarding the volume of water likely to be produced, cost per unit volume of water, and past limitations /experiences based on information from existing studies Short List of Alternatives Alternatives (see Table 1.1) were reviewed in a two -step screening process. The first step used the screening criteria to identify potential fatal flaws. Any alternatives on the long list receiving a score of zero on one or more of the general criteria were screened from further evaluation during the study. The remaining alternatives formed the short list of alternatives (see Table 1.2). In the second step of the screening process, specific and/or representative examples of the shortlisted alternatives were identified and evaluated with respect to the same pre- defined criteria. The evaluations include estimates of project costs and potential reductions to target flow shortages at the critical habitat in central Nebraska. Scores were also assigned relative to associated physical, legal /institutional, social, economic, and environmental issues. A short list of alternatives was presented in November 1998. Water conservation and supply alternatives that failed the initial screening were deferred from further evaluation at this time. Alternatives that passed the initial screening were included in the short list and are presented in Table 1.2. 1 -4