The typical Level II process consists of two phases. First, project
feasibility is addressed. Then, if the project is determined
feasible, the proposal 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 reasonably, 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 and the resulting supply of industrial, agricultural
and/or municipal water.
h. Identify costs and benefits that would result by incorporating
recreation, hydropower generation, 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:
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 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 which includes 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.
