**Suggested Content**

**Feasibility Report and/or**

**Planning Report/EIS**

Feasibility studies are detailed investigations specifically authorized
by law to determine the desirability of seeking congressional
authorization for implementation. Feasibility studies cannot begin until
specifically authorized in accordance with the Federal Water Project
Recreation Act (Public Law 89-72, Section 8; Stat. 217). While appraisal
studies use existing data, feasibility studies include additional data
collection and analyses to develop and consider a full and reasonable
range of alternatives. Feasibility studies must be consistent with the
Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and
Related Land Resources Implementation Studies (P&Gs).

Feasibility studies are normally integrated with compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA),
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other related
environmental and cultural resource laws. These combined studies
culminate in an integrated planning report/NEPA compliance document.
Also see

\<<http://www.usbr.gov/recman/cmp/cmp05-02.pdf>\>.

(You can easily combine chapters 1 and 2, more like a straight EIS, then
renumber the rest of the chapters.)

Table of Contents

Summary

Chapter 1. Introduction

> Location of potential project
>
> Study purpose, scope, and objectives
>
> Study authority
>
> Public involvement/scoping (include cooperating agencies)
>
> Previous studies of the project area by Reclamation or others
>
> Relationship of other water and related resources activities to our
> study

Chapter 2. Need for Action

> This chapter defines the problems, needs, and opportunities toward
> which plan formulation is directed, e.g., municipal and industrial
> water, irrigation, fish and wildlife, environmental quality,
> recreation, flood control, energy. This chapter also addresses needs
> associated with National, State, and local concerns and clearly define
> the problem in each category and the resource needs to solve the
> problem.
>
> This chapter should state problems, needs, and opportunities for both
> current and future conditions.

Chapter 3. Resources, Opportunities, and Constraints

> This chapter provides a general discussion of present and future
> conditions in those resource categories that have a bearing on the
> formulation of plans to address the identified needs. This chapter
> should cite physical, statutory, social, institutional, and
> environmental opportunities and constraints that limit the capability
> of the resources to meet needs.

Chapter 4. Alternatives (order of discussion optional)

> Alternative formulation
>
> Recommended plan
>
> Overview of plan concept
>
> Plan accomplishments
>
> Plan description
>
> Project costs
>
> (Note: include the following sections if the feasibility study
> analyzes Anew water.)
>
> Economic and financial analysis
>
> Discuss National Economic Development evaluation, cost allocation, and
> cost sharing. Also describe non-Federal interest and participation in
> project funding.
>
> Environmental acceptability
>
> Briefly discuss, since supporting analyses are included in the
> Environmental Quality Account and Environmental consequences
> discussion.
>
> Social acceptability
>
> Briefly discuss, since supporting analyses are included in the Social
> Account and environmental consequences discussions.
>
> Actions and permits
>
> Other viable alternatives
>
> No Action Alternative
>
> Explain that this alternative serves as the basis for determining the
> effects of all viable alternatives.
>
> Comparative evaluation and plan selection (include Recommended Plan,
> other viable alternatives, and No Action Alternative). Evaluate each
> alternative on a number of parameters, e.g., economic, environmental,
> social, legal, institutional, and technical.
>
> 1\. Include a comparative four-account display consisting of the
> National Economic Development, Environmental Quality, Regional
> Economic Development, and Social evaluations. The evaluations must be
> consistent with and supported by the environmental consequences
> analysis.
>
> 2\. Include a comparative discussion of responsiveness of alternatives
> (tests of viability) in instances where these factors influence plan
> selection. The tests of viability are (1) acceptability (support for
> the plan, areas of conflict, unresolved issues); effectiveness;
> efficiency; and completeness.
>
> 3\. Give the rationale for selecting the Recommended Plan.

Other Plans Considered (eliminated as viable alternatives)

Chapter 5. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences

> Note: For a Feasibility Report, note only the Potential Effects of
> Alternatives
>
> Setting
>
> Water resources
>
> Fish and wildlife
>
> Recreation
>
> Other resources, if they are issues
>
> Endangered species
>
> Economics
>
> Social environment
>
> Cultural resources
>
> Indian trust assets
>
> Environmental justice
>
> Cumulative impacts
>
> Unavoidable adverse impacts
>
> Relationship of short-term uses and long-term productivity
>
> Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources

Chapter 6. Consultation and Coordination

> Public involvement
>
> Scoping process
>
> Public meetings
>
> Fish and wildlife consultation
>
> Endangered Species Act, Section 7
>
> Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
>
> Cultural resources consultation
>
> Issues to be resolved and areas of controversy
>
> Other agency consultation
>
> Executive Orders

Chapter 7. Conclusions and Recommendations (Note: do not include in a
PR/EIS.)

> Conclusions
>
> Recommendations

Distribution List

List of Preparers

Environmental Commitments

Glossary

Bibliography

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Index

Attachments

> Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report and Responses to
> Recommendations
>
> Others as appropriate

**Lists of Figures and Tables**