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<br />000867 <br /> <br />water supply that could be derived from re-operation of Painted Rock Dam. <br />Modified operations could also reduce sediment and high ground water problems <br />in the Yuma area, and improve the quality of water deliveries to Mexico. The <br />continued drought within Arizona has depleted reservoir storage in the Gila River <br />drainage making it unlikely that there will be a near term high water event in the <br />lower Gila River. However, a review of the Corps of Engineers' prior analysis <br />and the evaluation of required actions for conserving water from high water <br />events on the lower Gila should proceed to ensure that the required actions, if <br />such conservation is found feasible, could be in place when needed in order to <br />enhance Colorado River system storage and storage recovery. <br /> <br />AUTHORITY: (identify existing or new) <br />COST: <br />FUNDING SOURCE: <br />ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT: (categorical exclusionlEIS/other) <br />ENVIRONMENTAL OR ESA ISSUES: <br />NEED FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS: <br /> <br />· Operate Yuma Desalting Plant. To help mitigate shortages in the United States <br />and Mexico, Reclamation should evaluate a phased ramp up ofthe Yuma <br />Desalting Plant should the drought continue and system reservoir storage continue <br />to decline and develop a plan for such a ramp up. <br /> <br />AUTHORITY: (identify existing or new) <br />COST: <br />FUNDING SOURCE: <br />ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT: (categorical exclusionlEIS/other) <br />ENVIRONMENTAL OR ESA ISSUES: <br />NEED FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS: <br /> <br />· Conserve water through Lower Colorado River vegetation management in <br />coordination with Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation <br />Program (LCRMSCP). There are approximately 160,000 acres of existing <br />riparian vegetation located within the planning area of the Lower Colorado River <br />Multi-Species Conservation Program. The current use of "system" water by <br />riparian vegetation is estimated to be 725,000 acre-feet per year. The replacing of <br />poor quality habitat by establishing and maintaimng higher quality habitat is an <br />integral part of the LCRMSCP. A coordinated extension of the LCRMSCP could <br />be further conservation of system water through additional vegetation <br />management. The Colorado River Basin Project of 1968 authorized vegetation <br />management for water salvage purposes along the Lower Colorado River and, as <br />stated therein, that such programs shall also be consistent with maintenance of a <br />reasonable degree of undisturbed habitat for fish and wildlife in the area, as <br />determined by the Secretary. Reclamation should determine, in consultation with <br />the three Lower Division States and others, the potential amount of conserved <br /> <br />-11- <br />