The purpose of this EIS is to:

• Evaluate the potential for environmental and socioeconomic impacts that could result from the Project
• Compare and analyze Project alternatives, including the consequences of not developing the Project
• Provide the BLM and Reclamation with information for making their decisions
• Track and document the process used to reach those decisions
• Provide the public with all of this information

To meet the purpose and need of the Project, this EIS will also identify:

• Location(s) of wells that would supply water for the Project and would be permittable at the federal, state, and local levels
• Location(s) of water transmission lines from the wells to a treatment facility
• Location of a treatment facility
• Water treatment methods
• Method(s) for managing concentrate generated from the water treatment process
• Location(s) of water transmission line(s) from the treatment facility to the Alamogordo region customers

What decisions will result from the EIS?

Based on the results of the impact analyses in the EIS, the BLM will decide whether to grant the City right-of-way across BLM land for Project for pipelines and wells, and Reclamation will decide whether to provide partial funding the Project.