WSP00390 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PLAN FORMULATION . As previously mentioned in the Public Involvement Chapter, plan formulation for the Uinta Basin Unit of the Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program is being conducted according to the Principles and Standards. Under this process the problems and needs of the area to be affected are first identified and the capability of the available resources to meet these problems and needs are evaluated. This evaluation of needs and resources provides the basis for determining planning elements which should be considered in the formulation of alternative plans. Next, alternative plans for meeting the objectives of the study are formulated and evaluated on an appraisal level to determine if they meet four tests listed in the Principles and Standards to identify viable plans. These four tests include completeness, effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability. Briefly, the four tests can be defined as follows: (1) completeness is the extent to which an alternative plan provides and accounts for necessary investments or other actions to ensure the reali- zation of the planned effects; (2) effectiveness is the extent to which an alternative alleviates the specified problem and achieves the desired results; (3) efficiency is the extent to which an alternative is cost effective; and (4) acceptability is the workability and viability of the alternative in respect to acceptance by the public and adherence to exist- ing laws and regulations. Alternative plans which meet all four tests become candidate plans and are subject to much more detailed examination. The next step in the plan selection process entails subjecting each candidate plan to an analysis under each of four accounts identified in the Principles and Standards. These four accounts include (1) National Economic Development (NED), (2) Environmental Quality (EQ), (3) Regional Economic Development (RED), and (4) Other Social Effects (OSE). It is from these candidate plans and the four account analysis that the recommended plan is selected. In addition. primary importance in the CRWQIP salinity investigations is the cost-effectiveness criteria. or the estimated cost per milligram per liter of reducing the salinity contribution to the Colorado River from the project area. Alternative Plans Eight alternatives were identified in the plan formulation process and discussed in public meetings. Improvement of Irrigation System by Canal Lining This alternative considered canal lining as a method of reducing salinity concentration in the Uinta Basin water supply. and subsequently the Colorado River. It would involve either concrete lining or earth lining various. distances of canals and laterals and/or placing a portion of the distribution system in concerte pipe to reduce seepage and subse- quently salt loading. 13 00C4C1