The typical Level II study consists of two phases. During Phase 1 project feasibility is addressed. If the project is determined feasible the proposal is advanced to Phase 2, where it is refined to the status necessary for a Level III funding request.
The typical Level II, Phase I investigations should include the following activities:
a. Quantify the amount of water that can physically and legally be developed.
b. Determine water needs that could be served by the project.
c. Determine technical feasibility including a safety analysis.
d. Develop a general configuration depicting preliminary physical characteristics of the project.
e. Develop a preliminary project operation plan.
f. Estimate costs for construction, consultant services, and operation and maintenance.
g. Identify direct benefits that could result from project implementation.
h. Identify costs and benefits that would result by incorporating recreation, fish and wildlife, hydropower, and flood control functions into the project.
i. Define economic, legal, environmental, and administrative problems and identify alternate solutions to those problems.
j. Develop an ownership map of lands that may be affected by the project.
k. Commence the data collection process to identify environmental impacts and potential mitigation and enhancement opportunities.
l. Conduct an analysis of the project sponsor's ability to pay.
After review of the above information, a determination of technical, economic, and legal feasibility should be made. This determination, coupled with the sponsor's need for the project, interest in the project, and willingness and ability to financially participate, will be utilized to determine if the project should proceed to Level II, Phase II.
The typical Level II, Phase II investigations should include the following activities:
a. Perform the final technical design including:
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i. Hydrologic investigations.
ii. An operating plan which addresses water management during and after construction.
iii. A conceptual design of the general project configuration.
b. Identify state and federal permits and clearances necessary to construct the project. Interview representatives of each permitting agency to determine data and schedule requirements.
c. Perform an environmental analysis of the proposed operation and configuration. On the more complex projects the Wyoming Game and Fish Department assists the WWDC in these analyses. On an annual basis the WWDC contracts with the Game and Fish Department to provide environmental baseline data, evaluate project impacts, and recommend mitigation measures.
d. Perform a cultural resource survey of the general project area, as applicable.
e. Determine which lands must be acquired to implement the project. Identify applications to purchase or obtain easements on public lands, and obtain appraisals of private lands that must be purchased.
f. Develop a detailed schedule of the activities necessary to complete the project.
g. Prepare an itemized project budget, including costs for design engineering, permitting, land acquisition, environmental mitigation, construction, construction engineering, operation, maintenance and replacement.
h. Perform an economic analysis comparing the allocated costs with project primary and secondary benefits. For the more complex projects an analysis of indirect benefits may be appropriate.