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<br />000300 <br /> <br />recovering water through operation of the YDP ranging from $305 per acre foot to $480 <br />per acre foot. <br /> <br />Non-svstems Supplies From Groundwater And Other Sources. The recovery and <br />return of local groundwater that would otherwise be lost to Mexico as groundwater, focuses <br />on the groundwater recovery program being considered in the Yuma area. Under this <br />Y A WRMG initiative Reclamation could obtain up to about 25,000 acre-feet per year <br />drainage return flow credit to use as replacement credit. However the actual amount <br />available to Reclamation from this project will likely be about 10,000 acre-feet per year. <br />Costs per acre feet are expected to be less than $30 per acre-foot. <br /> <br />Investinl! In Advanced Irri2ation Techniques To Reduce Use. This proposal is similar <br />in concept to some of the recent transfer agreements, and is also similar to the system <br />improvements project discussed under Section 101 (h) of the Salinity Control Act. As part <br />of the overall effort to reduce return flow, the Secretary was authorized under Section <br />101(h), to assist water users to increase irrigation efficiencies through installing system <br />improvements such as ditch linings, automatic equipment, sprinkler systems, and bubbler <br />systems. Other mechanisms could include improving water delivery and use through the <br />addition of regulatory storage, system automation, and spill interception. Proposals would <br />need to address any number of issues that might arise. All proposals would undergo <br />review and consultation by appropriate parties. / /, <br />__ .K.tz,H7've. u//11.f'P /~ /J.-.tn'H/ /rt:J~r;~ <br />Environmental Considerations <br /> <br />The submittal of this report to the Congress does not constitute a major Federal action, as I <br />defined by the National Environmental Policy Act and related environmental statutes and I <br />requirements. However, a program to implement specific measures to replace the flows in! <br />the Bypass Drain will require programmatic and site specific environmental compliance l' <br />and associated documentation. <br /> <br />If \1: <br /> <br />Institutional Considerations <br /> <br />Implementation oftemporary replacement measures to replace the flows in the Bypass <br />Drain will be conducted with the objectives of not damaging other water agencies and not <br />impeding the opportunities of other water agencies to acquire water when needed, For <br />example, the program could utilize the storage capabilities ofthe Arizona Groundwater <br />Bank; however, before using that capability the Secretary would consult and defer to others <br />using that banking capability, particularly the State of Arizona, Southern Nevada Water <br />Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. <br /> <br />In such transactions, the interests of other water users must be addressed. The classic <br />method for such consideration is through a procedure called "forbearance." This term <br />refers to the process of entities not exercising their rights to dIvert anc:lUSewater to which <br />they are entitled, and to which there has been a recent history of use. The term applies to <br />the initial participating water user, who agrees to conserve or not use his or her water <br />entitlement for an appropriate consideration. The term also applies to others that may have <br />rights to use the conserved water made available by the initial participating water user; they <br /> <br />18 <br />