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<br />n:o. rl3'J6 <br />u u._, <br /> <br />replacement of bypass flows when: 1) reservoir levels are high (even ifbelow <br />levels resulting in the declaration of a Treaty surplus or a flood control <br />release), and 2) hydrologic conditions are such that replacement would not <br />result in meaningful improvements to long-term system storage. The relaxed <br />terms for defining the national obligation could result in considerable cost <br />savings to the federal government. In exchange for the increased flexibility in <br />satisfying the national obligation and associated cost savings, the increased <br />risk to water users from reservoir drawdown when drought cycles resume <br />would be offset by the implementation of the shortage alleviation contingency <br />fund and mitigation program. <br /> <br />3. Continue and permanently establish the shortage alleviation contingency fund <br />described in the short term plan. <br /> <br />4. Continue the voluntary consumptive use reduction and forbearance program <br />based on the results of the pilot program. The program would be funded <br />through permanent establishment ofthe shortage alleviation contingency fund. <br />Program components could include: <br /> <br />a. Creation of a permanent international dry year option land fallowing <br />program to be utilized during shortage years. Water right leasing should be <br />dispersed to avoid concentration of impacts. As with the pilot program, <br />land fallowing must be accomplished in a manner where there will be no <br />permanent reallocation of entitlements to Colorado River water between <br />and among the users of Colorado River water. <br /> <br />b. Participation by the federal government in water banking activities as a <br />means to mitigate shortage impacts. <br /> <br />5 . Water inflow to the Cienega de Santa Clara should be continued at the <br />appropriate quantity and quality levels to maintain, or when feasible, improve <br />its value as a wildlife and ecological reserve. <br /> <br />a. The primary source of water supply for the Cienega will likely continue to <br />be the WMIDD drainage flow. However, if those flows are reduced or <br />otherwise altered, water should be provided from groundwater withdrawn <br />from Minute 242 wells, Yuma Valley drainage wells, effluent, storm <br />runoff or other sources to substitute for or manage the quality and quantity <br />of those flows. <br /> <br />b. The monitoring and research program at the Cienega should evolve into an <br />adaptive management program with the goal of maintaining or improving <br />current habitat conditions. <br /> <br />c. To the extent the YDP is operated, any associated brine stream must be <br />discharged in a manner that is not detrimental to the Cienega. This could <br />include routing the brine stream around the primary vegetated zone with a <br />new pipeline. Options for utilizing the brine stream in an environmentally <br />beneficial manner should also be explored. <br /> <br />Recommendations of the YDPICienega Workgroup <br /> <br />19 <br />