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<br />CHAPTER 2. INITIAL SCOPING PROCESS
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<br />A. Purpose of Scoping
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<br />NEPA, BOR, NPS, and Department of the Interior policies authorize and encourage an early
<br />consultation, or scoping, process to help identify the range of issues, alternatives, mitigation
<br />measures, and environmental effects to be analyzed in depth, and to help resolve concerns of
<br />affected agencies and individuals. In addition, the Council on Environmental Quality
<br />regulations (40 CFR Section 1501.7) require "an early and open process for determining the
<br />scope of issues to. be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed
<br />action. "
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<br />This initial scoping effort for the contract is designed to explore issues for environmental
<br />analysis, direct alternatives, identify additional studies needed, and ensure that important
<br />considerations are not overlooked. Through this and future public involvement activities, the
<br />BOR, NPS, and Cooperating Agencies intend to make the process as informative and
<br />meaningful as possible for decision makers and those affected by the proposed project.
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<br />The iriformation in this repon is a summary of the process and a compikltion of what the
<br />public said, with no attempt at analysis.
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<br />B. Initial Informational and Scoping Meetings
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<br />Six informational meetings (two at each location) were held April 28-30, 1992, in Gunnison,
<br />Montrose, and Delta, Colorado. Presentations included concepts, objectives, and goals of the
<br />BOR and Cooperating Agencies (NPS, BLM, and theCWCB). The FWS also assisted in these
<br />and subsequent activities to answer questions and obtain input on endangered fish issues. Public
<br />involvement activities and the process involved were also covered. Informational packets were
<br />distributed to meeting attendees and, later, mailed to those requesting copies.
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<br />As required underthe NEPA, the BOR published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental
<br />Impact Statement (EIS) and a Scoping Notice in the May 6, 1992, Federal Relrister (see
<br />Appendix A). On May 8, 1992, a news release was distributed to media, agencies, individuals,
<br />and groups considered to be interested in the project.
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<br />The BOR, NPS, BLM, CWCB, and FWS conducted five public scoping meetings May 19-21,
<br />1992 (two in Gunnison, two in Montrose, and one in Delta). These meetings were attended by
<br />30 individuals, plus 51 representatives of 9 interested organizations, 3 Federal agencies, 2 State
<br />agencies, 8 local governmental agencies, 4 local newspapers, and 2 legislators. Appendix B lists
<br />the attendees at all five meetings. Copies of the 243 comments, as recorded on flip charts at
<br />the meetings, were provided to each of the cooperating agencies.
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