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MWMC FACILITIES PLAN Ultimately, the three phases of the Biocycle Farm will occupy 595 acres, of which 400 acres will grow poplar trees. 9.1.2 Analysis of Alternatives Descriptions of modifications associated the three system alternatives, along with a more detailed analysis of the potential impacts associated with each alternative, is provided sections 9.3, 9.4, and 9.5. The alternatives analysis presented below focuses on potential impacts associated with construction and operational activities that have not been analyzed under an existing or previous facilities plan or other environmental review conducted by MWMC. For this reason, an analysis of potential impacts associated with the Biocycle Farm is not included in this Environmental Report. The Facilities Plan also includes descriptions and recommendations on selected components of the MWMC system that either specify no change in the physical layout or operational procedures at these facilities, or the impact associated with the component is already incorporated in the environmental impact analysis for the project altematives described below. For this reason, an impacts analysis for proposed modifications at the BMF are not included in this Environmental Report. Finally, the Facilities Plan recommends that MWMC's SIWF be put into service for biosolids and effluent reuse. It is anticipated that this activity would result in a net environmental benefit to the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. These benefits could be substantially similar to the potential benefits associated with the use of the Biocycle Farm. However, because of the scale of the potential operation--the SIWF facility includes a 290-acre site with a total farmable area of approximately 215 acres and a 14-acre, 57-MG treatment pond--a more detailed analysis of the environmental issues associated with this site is beyond the scope of this Environmental Report. It is assumed that further review of the environmental characteristics of this site along with an assessment of environmental affects associated with biosolids and effluent reuse will be performed at a later date pending MWMC's decision on the future of the facility. 9.2 Purpose and Need The MWMC Facility Plan proposes a preferred alternative for expanding and upgrading its facilities to meet the future growth needs and regulatory requirements for water quality in the MWMC service area. By providing additional capacity when needed, the expanded and upgraded MWMC facilities would help to preserve water quality in the Eugene-Springfield area and protect public health and safety for future generations. In addition, upgraded facilities will allow MWMC to meet applicable state and federal regulations and satisfy service contracts with the cities of Eugene and Springfield. The purpose and need for this section is to identify the potential environmental effects associated with development of MWMC's preferred alternative (System Alternative 5), System Alternative 4, and System Alternative 1. The existing MWMC treatment system is running out of capacity. It is anticipated that sufficient dry weather treatment capacity exists to meet short-term growth through 2005; however, peak wet weather flows currently constrain the life span of the plant's design capacity. In addition, new regulatory 9-4 MWMG_9.0_REV14.DOC