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<br />oonSUl <br /> <br />operating. Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Bennett Raley told CAP <br />that he is convinced the YDP should be operated. Approximately $40 million <br />has been appropriated for YDP since 2001 and an additional $10.8 million is <br />included in Reclamation's FY 2005 appropriations request. Yet, there is no <br />evidence to suggest that any of those funds have been effectively used to make <br />the plant operational within the promised timeframe of 24-30 months. Lake <br />Mead continues to lose one foot of elevation every year because Reclamation <br />will not operate the YDP. <br /> <br />In July 2004, CAP began hosting a working group of key players to discuss the <br />YDP. This group includes two representatives each from Reclamation, Arizona <br />Department of Water Resources and CAP; one representative from Yuma; and <br />five representatives from the environmental community. A CAP employed <br />consultant provides technical facilitation. <br /> <br />The group is seeking to develop a consensus proposal that includes operation <br />of the YDP and maintenance of a viable Cienega de Santa Clara. The group is <br />evaluating three altemative solutions. When a preferred solution is identified, <br />a white paper will be issued for use by the state and the United States. Unless <br />directed to do so by Congress or the courts, it is doubtful that Reclamation will <br />operate YDP in the face of environmental opposition unless the working group <br />identifies a solution that can be embraced by both the state and the Secretary <br />of the Interior. <br /> <br />G: \data \gm \micetic \ Critical Issues \Executive Summaries \ YDP Operation2-05.doc <br />