WSP05949

• File Number: 8220.200.02.I
• Description: Southern Nevada Water Project
• State: NV
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 9/1/1996
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Southern Nevada Water Authority Treatment & Transmission Facility: Final Environmental Impact Statement
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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SOurnERN NEVADA WATERAlITHORITY - TREATMENT AND TRANSMISSION FACILITY

Each component was chosen
based on the reasons
summarized in the following
paragraphs.

The Saddle Island intake site
was judged more favorable
than the Hoover Dam intake
site for two general reasons:

1. The Saddle Island site
carried a lesser risk of
cost escalation. This
reduced risk is the result
of construction
uncertainties associated
with building near Hoover
Dam, and the potential
uncertainties associated
with coordination with
the Federal agencies
responsible for the dam,
and for all of the
activities which go on in
and around the dam; and

2, Saddle Island carried a
lesser risk of delays in the schedule for project implementation. Delays would likely occur
at Hoover Dam because of the extensive need for design coordination and participation
by Reclamation for facilities in and around Hoover Dam.

In addition to those two general reasons, other specific concerns included:

1. The intake at Hoover Dam could be temporarily shut down and no water would be
available. This could happen in response to some engineering requirements of the
operators of the dam, or by some other function considered a higher priority;

2. New special contracts and agreements would need to be entered into with Reclamation;
and

3. The construction of new tunnels and a new intake facility near the existing hydro-electric
units could pose significant problems with site access, construction delays, and restraints
on some types of construction.

The single factor which could favor the Hoover Dam intake site would be the perception
that a Hoover Dam intake would provide greater water system reliability because it is
further away from the existing Saddle Island intake.

S-14

Figure S-2
Choices for the Four Components that Determined
the Selection of the Preferred Alternative
Component #1: . Saddle Island
Intake Site . Hoover Dam
. Foothill
Component #2:
. River Mountains
WTF Site
. Railroad Pass
.51-16
Component #3: . SI-1C
Transmission Facilities .51-5
Connecting the Intake . HO-2
Site and WTF Sita
. HD-8
Component #4: . Most Favorable
In-Valley Water North-Valley and
Transmission System South-Valley Routes

SUMMARY