PROJECT PURPOSE & NEED STATEMENT
The Project Purpose and Need Statement is used to describe the reasoning for the proposed action, and it is useful to the agency when selecting the range of alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS. The Project Applicant, or Project Proponent, typically submits their purpose and need for the project. The agency preparing the EIS uses the applicant's statement as a basis for the Project Purpose and Need Statement that will become part of the EIS.
Project Purpose and Need:
SNWA's purpose in applying for rights-of-way for the project is:
To develop and convey water rights that have been purchased by, permitted to, or that may be permitted to SNWA in Spring, Snake, Cave, Dry Lake, Delamar, and Coyote Spring valleys for use by SNWA's member agencies in Clark County.
To fulfill contractual obligation to provide capacity for potential future use by the Lincoln County Water District, to transport as yet unspecified water resources to its customers in Lincoln County.
SNWA's need for the project is due to the growing population and associated increasing water demands in the Las Vegas Valley, along with the current reliance on the Colorado River to meet nearly all of southern Nevada's water resource needs. Southern Nevada has been one of the fastest growing areas in the nation for many decades. Despite SNWA's strong commitment to improving conservation and reducing water demands, additional water resources are required to meet projected demands. Diversification is also an essential goal of the project. Development of in-state groundwater resources is needed to improve the drought tolerance of SNWA's water supply and to reduce the vulnerability of water supplies to potential terrorist and other security threats.
BLM has the responsibility to process right-of-way applications, and must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with the preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). For the Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project right-of-way application, an EIS will be prepared.
Background on Authorities/Laws/Regulations Affecting this EIS:
Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, 43 U.S.C. §§ 1761-1771, authorizes the grant of rights-of-way over, upon, under, or through Federal public lands by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) for reservoirs, canals, ditches, flumes, laterals, pipes, pipelines, tunnels, and other facilities and systems for the impoundment, storage, transportation, or distribution of water.
The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (SNPLMA), Pub. L. No. 105-263; § 4(b)(2), 112 Stat. 2343 (1998), directs the Secretary to issue right-of-way grants on Federal lands in Clark County, Nevada, for all reservoirs, canals, channels, ditches, pipes, pipelines, tunnels, and other facilities and systems needed for the impoundment, storage, treatment, transportation, or distribution of water, in accordance with that Act, FLPMA, and other applicable law. Such right-of-way grants shall be valid in perpetuity and shall not require the payment of rental or cost recovery fees.
The Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 (LCCRDA), Pub. L. No. 108‑424, § 301, 118 Stat. 2403 (2004) directs the Secretary to grant SNWA rights-of-way necessary for roads, wells, well fields, pipes, pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities, or other facilities and systems necessary for the construction of a water conveyance system in Lincoln and Clark Counties. Such rights-of-way shall be granted in perpetuity and do not require payment of a rental.
The BLM carries out these responsibilities on behalf of the Secretary. The regulations applicable to issuance and administration of FLPMA rights-of-way are found at 43 C.F.R. Part 2800. The BLM will process the application in accordance with the provisions of the FLPMA, SNPLMA, LCCRDA, and the BLM’s regulatory requirements.
Programs
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