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<br />000280 <br /> <br />Question 13: Cropland in the Yuma Valley is estimated tohave crop values of $5,000 per <br />acre year. Briefly, how is this figure arrived at? <br /> <br />Answer: The value of crops per acre year in the Yuma Valley are determined by the type of <br />crops being grown there and the value of those crops. The types of crops grown in the Yuma <br />Valley were discussed in the answer to question number 3. Based on the types of crops grown, <br />and using the enclosed "Cooperative Extension - 1999 Yuma County Agricultural Statistics," it <br />can be demonstrated that the value of crops currently grown in the Yuma valley would easily <br />meet the $5,000 per acre year value. <br /> <br />Question 14: Infrastructure/costs associated with high water tables have been estimated to <br />be even higher than crop values. Please provide these estimates.' <br /> <br />Answer: Estimates were made by looking at roads, streets, sidewalks, homes, businesses, and <br />other facilities that could be impacted by high groundwater. Impacts would include sink holes <br />forming in roadways, settling of home or business foundations, settling or buckling of sidewalks <br />or curbs, foundations for roadways liquifying and damaging the road surface, and problems with <br />septic tanks operating properly which could result in health problems for people in the Yuma <br />Valley. In addition, the cost of construction of facilities increases as dewatering or other special <br />treatment is often needed to build sound facilities. The estimates of potential costs that could <br />occur if rising groundwater continues to occur in the Yuma Valley was over one hundred. million <br />dollars. <br /> <br />In addition, high groundwater levels make the soils in the Yuma Valley subject to liquifaction <br />from an earthquake event. This would cause severe damage to facilities in the Yuma Valley. <br /> <br />Question 15: By moving 20,000 acre-,.feet of water north to the NIB, the flow of the Main <br />Drain can be diluted and water of lesser salinity can be delivered to Mexico at the sm. <br />Please explain in more detail. <br /> <br />Answer: Please refer to the answer given for question number 12. <br /> <br />Question 16: The proposed water use by the U.S. would be for a period .often years with an <br />option for renewal. What are the proposed conditions for renewal? <br /> <br />Answer: The renewal process would be evaluated on a year to year basis after the initial 1 0 <br />year period. This analysis would principally look at Arizona's need for use of the water that had <br />been credited to the United States the previous ten years, and the groundwater levels that have <br />been achieved through the increased. drainage pumping program. If Arizona doesn't need. the <br />water for return flow credits then the use of the water by the U.S. would be allowed. <br /> <br />Question 17: There is a potential that in some months the salinity at the NIB will increase. <br />How many months of the year? To what level might the salinity at the NIB increase? <br />