Laserfiche WebLink
<br />OJJ327 <br /> <br />6. A program to reduce water lost due to storm water inflows and changed water <br />orders should be implemented to the greatest extent feasible to capture <br />otherwise unaccounted for water. While efforts should be made to minimize <br />losses through improved water ordering practices, it is recognized that a <br />certain amount of loss is inevitable. Recapture of this supply by construction <br />of new re-regulatory storage reservoirs and rehabilitation of Senator Wash <br />Dam would represent an extraordinary effort to salvage a water supply that <br />otherwise would be lost. The United States should be given proportional <br />credit for their investments in extraordinary water salvage as a substitute <br />supply to offset the national obligation. The potential exists for these credits <br />to represent a significant contribution toward satisfYing the national obligation <br />without requiring the direct replacement ofthe bypass flow. <br /> <br />7. The remaining component of the bypass flow replacement should be achieved <br />through development of additional excess groundwater in the Yuma area. <br />Based upon the study information derived under the short term program, a <br />long term coordinated groundwater management program should be <br />developed in consultation with the Yuma Area Water Resources Management <br />Group and the State of Arizona. The management plan will determine how <br />much and from which locations excess groundwater should be withdrawn. <br />The increased use of this supply to create return flows can be credited against <br />the national obligation to replace the bypass flows. <br /> <br />8. Due to the elevated salinity level of the Yuma area groundwater, it will <br />probably be necessary to desalinate some of the water before it can be <br />beneficially used. To the extent feasible, any water treated by YDP should be <br />used as an M&I potable water supply. In order to achieve cost recovery from <br />potential beneficiaries, cost sharing - at least for a portion of treatment costs - <br />should be a condition of receiving water. <br /> <br />a. In lieu of cost sharing, the United States should attempt to negotiate an <br />exchange ratio with water users in Mexico. Under this concept, Mexico <br />would receive treated water at a cost savings, but for every acre foot of <br />treated water delivered, they would be debited at a rate of two or more <br />acre feet in the accounting of water delivered under the Treaty. The <br />United States would take a credit for the exchange ratio savings against <br />the national obligation to replace the bypass flow. <br /> <br />b. Because M&I water must be available reliably on a year-round basis, the <br />YDP must be capable of producing product water throughout regular <br />maintenance periods. This means that at least one third capability must be <br />kept in reserve status. <br /> <br />VII. Action Plan to Implement Recommendations <br /> <br />The YDP/Cienega Workgroup recognizes that implementing the short term and <br />long term plans will take time and will involve many interests. The Workgroup <br />recommends that the responsible agencies should move forward on multiple levels to <br />carry out the following activities: <br /> <br />Recommendations of the YDPICienega WorkgroupP <br />20 <br />