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<br />001995 <br /> <br />Pitt et~, August 2001. Replacing the Bypass Flow On The Colorado River <br /> <br />(Empidonax /railii), and endangered species. Reduced flooding in the Colorado River delta will <br />also impose harm on the River's estuary and the near-shore marine habitats that provide critical <br />breeding area for the totoaba (Cynoscion macdonaldii), and the vaquita porpoise (phoceana <br />sinus), both of which are endangered as well. Furthermore, depletion of flows ,to the Colorado <br />River delta will further reduce the ability of local communities, including the native Cucapa, to <br />, continue their traditional, river-based practices such as fishing. ' <br /> <br />CONCLUSION <br /> <br />At some time in the future, BOR may no longer be able to take credit for water conserved by <br />lining the Coachella Canal and will be obligated to fmda new way to replace the bypass flow, <br />At that time, BOR must look carefully at the economic and environmental costs of any bypass <br />flow replacement options. This paper ~emonstrates that by leasing water from theWellton- <br />Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District and securing temporary rights from Arizona to pumped <br />groundwater in the Yuma area, BOR can replace the'bypass flow with ~um econqmic co.~ts: <br /> <br /> <br />Cost er acre-foot <br />$55 Ius incentive <br />$370 <br />$200 <br /> <br />The leased water altemative, also provides some environmental benefit in the improvement of <br />water quality in the Ci6nega de Santa Clara. YDP operation and off stream storage both will <br />result in Unacceptable harm to Colorado River delta ecosystems. <br /> <br />14 <br />