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<br />OG03~4 <br /> <br />for an interim period. A long-term solution is one that may take more time to <br />implement, but once implemented will be sustainable for a much longer period. <br />All facilities have a useful project life, but that life can be extended with proper <br />consideration of maintenance and replacement. <br /> <br />D. Water supply adequacy - In looking for long term solutions, the sustainability of <br />any given water supply alternative must be considered. For example: <br /> <br />1. Life of the WMIDD drainage flow - Even without the operation of the Yuma <br />Desalting Plant, there is no assurance that bypass flows will continue <br />indefinitely at their current quantity and quality. Various factors, including <br />changing land uses, may reduce future flows in the MODE. <br /> <br />2. Yuma area groundwater mound surplus - If drainage pumpage in the Yuma <br />area is increased with the goal of lowering general water tables, it is possible <br />that at some point in time, drainage pumpage can be reduced to reflect a new <br />equilibrium situation. <br /> <br />3. M&I supply source - A municipal water supply must have a highly reliable <br />water source. If the YDP is used to treat water for municipal purposes, the <br />supply must be adequately reliable in spite of potential technical and <br />maintenance issues relating to the desalting process. <br /> <br />E. Mexican involvement in the determination of preferred alternatives - Since the <br />Cienega is located in Mexico, Mexican officials must be a part ofthe discussion <br />of any solution which is intended to preserve the Cienega. Mexico could also be a <br />beneficial participant in many of the solution programs, such as land fallowing <br />and forbearance and development of an M&I supply. <br /> <br />VI. Recommended Solutions <br /> <br />It is apparent that there are numerous ways to combine solution components to <br />address the fundamental and multi-functional objectives. It is also apparent that there is <br />no one perfect solution and that to be successful, parties who hold opposing positions <br />will need to reach a compromise. With that perspective in mind, the Workgroup is <br />recommending that State and Federal policymakers adopt a program to deal with the <br />issues of the WMIDD bypass flow and the Cienega along the following lines: <br /> <br />A. A short-term plan should be adopted and implemented as soon as possible. The <br />goal of the plan would be to initiate action while more permanent long-term plans <br />are formulated and implemented. <br /> <br />1. To the extent that additional drainage water can be directly discharged to the <br />Colorado River without impacting the Minute 242 salinity differential, the <br />Bureau, in cooperation with local water districts, should increase the Yuma <br />area return flows and use that supply to offset the bypass flow in a manner <br />consistent with Arizona state law. <br /> <br />2. The Bureau should establish a shortage alleviation contingency fund to <br />prepare for and mitigate water supply disruption impacts to the extent that the <br />bypass flow water supply is not offset or replaced. These resources could be <br /> <br />Recommendations of the YDP/Cienega Workgroup <br /> <br />17 <br />