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<br />000328 <br /> <br />A. The Bureau of Reclamation should expeditiously initiate a public process to <br />address the issues related to the national obligation to replace the Wellton- <br />Mohawk bypass flows. This process should include the technical, economic, and <br />environmental evaluation of alternatives including the YDP Workgroup's <br />recommendations with regard to the Cienega. The public process can proceed on <br />multiple tracks to ensure that all relevant information is available in a timely <br />manner. To the extent required, NEPA analysis for bypass flow replacement <br />alternatives should be initiated. <br /> <br />B. Regarding the use of the Yuma Desalting Plant, the Bureau of Reclamation <br />should: <br /> <br />I. Continue to identify and implement YDP design deficiency corrections. <br /> <br />2. Determine ifYDP product water can meet standards necessary for M&I use <br />and identify opportunities and demand for M&I use of treated water and <br />necessary plant alterations. <br /> <br />3. Evaluate options and cost for a new brine stream bypass pipeline and other <br />options for brine stream disposal, including blending with water of lower <br />salinity . <br /> <br />C. The Basin States and the Bureau of Reclamation should initiate discussions <br />regarding a program to re-regulate and salvage water that is lost due to changed <br />orders or storm water inflows. Ifnecessary, legislation should be drafted to <br />implement any resulting program. <br /> <br />D. The Department ofInterior should undertake action pursuant to its MOU with <br />SEMARNA T or otherwise initiate consultations with appropriate federal agencies <br />or transboundary institutions (such as the Department of State or the International <br />Boundary and Waters Commission) to ensure that a monitoring and research <br />program is established in the Cienega, and that the United States initiates <br />discussions with Mexican officials with regard to: <br /> <br />1. Mexico's willingness to participate in a land fallowing and forbearance <br />program, including scope and cost. <br /> <br />2. Mexico's interest in obtaining treated M&I quality water for Mexican <br />communities. <br /> <br />3. Mexico's willingness to consider additional flexibility in calculating the <br />salinity differential under Minute 242 in those years when the salinity <br />measurement of the Colorado River reflects a better quality. <br /> <br />4. Mexico's participation in cooperative studies and monitoring programs in the <br />Cienega. <br /> <br />E. The states of Arizona and California should initiate inquires within their states <br />regarding demand for potable quality product water from the YDP for <br />communities in the border area. <br /> <br />Recommendations of the YDPICienega Workgroup <br /> <br />21 <br />