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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SOUl'HERN NEVADA WATERAUl'HORITY - TREATMENT AND TRANSMISSION FACIlITY

described as Best Management Practices, were developed in accordance with Reclamation's
Criteria for Water Conservation Plans. These measures were factored into development of
water demand projections for SNWA.

THE PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP AND SCREEN ALTERNATIVES

A total of 13 criteria were used by a multi-disciplinary team to develop and screen potential
project alternatives. Initially, 72 Out-Valley project alternatives were formulated. These
potential alternatives were segregated geographically into Northern, Central, and Southern
groups.

A strawman method was used to screen the
remaining alternatives. For each group of
alternatives, the alternative that appeared to be
the most favorable was designated as the
"strawman." The strawman for each group of
alternatives was then used as the baseline for
comparison with the other alternatives in the
group. After screening those alternatives, 16
were carried forward for further analysis.

Initially, 72 Out-Valley project
alternatives were formulated.
After screening, a matrix
evaluation process was performed
to rank the 16 surviving
alternatives. The end product of
the matrix evaluation was a
ranking of the five alternatives
evaluated in this EIS.

A matrix evaluation process was performed to
evaluate and rank the 16 Out-Valley
alternatives. Four categories, consisting of a
total of 36 evaluation criteria, were developed. The end product of the matrix evaluation was
a ranking of five alternatives to undergo further evaluation. These five Out-Valley alternatives
were carried forward and are evaluated in this EIS,

A similar evaluation procedure was used to screen potential In-Valley system alternatives. The
emphasis of the route development for the In-Valley portion was to identify pipeline alignments
from the potential WTF sites to delivery points identified by the water purveyors in the Valley,
The methodology used to select the apparent best route included an evaluation of both
individual segments and overall combined routes. Eight non-economic issue categories and
projected construction costs were used for the evaluation process. The product of the
evaluation was the identification of the most favorable routes for a North-Valley system and
for a South-Valley system; the combination of these two systems forms the In-Valley
Transmission System.

THE ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED IN DETAIL

To fulfill SNWA-TTF objectives, the Proposed Project would combine one Out-Valley alternative
with the In-Valley Transmission System (Figure S-1).

All structural alternatives are acceptable from engineering, economic, and environmental
perspectives. These alternatives represent the full range of the available alternatives that
satisfy the stated purpose and need for the Proposed Project.

S-4

SUMMARY