1. SCOPING: During the "scoping" phase, BLM conducted several meetings to identify the significant issues and alternatives to SNWA's proposed action to develop groundwater resources, which should be analyzed in the EIS. Affected federal, state, and local agencies and tribes as well as members of the public were invited to participate in these meetings and to submit comments. The deadline for written comments was Monday, August 1, 2005. The scoping meetings were held in April-May, 2005, in nine communities (six in Nevada and three in Utah).
Subsequent to the scoping period, SNWA revised their project. The BLM has re-opened scoping to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the project changes. The deadline for written comments is October 17, 2006. The BLM will not conduct new scoping meetings. Information about the project changes, current maps of the project, and a comment form can be obtained by following the link above. Please note: the comments received during the original scoping period have been recorded and will continue to be considered with the new scoping. The BLM is asking the public for comments specific to the project proposal changes.
2. DRAFT EIS: During the "draft EIS" phase, BLM will use an interdisciplinary team to gather all relevant data and conduct a comprehensive analysis of SNWA's proposed action and alternatives. The analysis will be included in the draft EIS as will a discussion of impacts the proposed action and alternatives may have on the environment and any proposed measures to mitigate these impacts. The draft EIS is anticipated to be available for public comment in early 2008.
3. FINAL EIS/RECORD OF DECISION (ROD): The final EIS will respond to all comments received in the draft EIS. The ROD is the public document that BLM will sign at the time the decision is made. In addition to enunciating BLM's decision on the right-of-way application, the ROD will state the alternatives considered, the environmentally preferable alternative or alternatives, factors considered in BLM's decision, mitigation measures, if applicable, that BLM determines will be implemented, and a description of any applicable enforcement and monitoring programs. The final EIS and ROD are planned to be completed in late 2008.