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<br />000286 <br /> <br /></ <br />,./~ <br />. .v'/ <br /> <br /> <br />Implementing the replacement measures, @ringing the YDP to an operational state of <br />readiness, would provide the United States the necessary additional flexibility to help <br />address the current drought situation and to meet future salinity control obligations as river <br />flow and salinity conditions change. <br /> <br />Section 104 of Title I (88 Stat. 270,42 U.S.C. 9 1574) provides that: <br /> <br />The Secretary is authorized to provide for modifications ofthe projects authorized <br />by this title to the extent he determines appropriate for purposes of meeting the <br />international settlement obligations of this Title at the lowest overall cost to the <br />United States. No funds for any such modifications shall be expended until the <br />expiration of sixty days after the proposed modification has been submitted to the <br />appropriate committees of the Congress, unless the Congress approves an earlier ~;7, <br />date by concurrent resolution. The Secretary shall notify the Governors ofthe f~ <br />Colorado River Basin States of such modificatio~s. ~\.(A-'-\\ \J-tJ <br />'14-"-> 41-il \ ," v-- ^ II't <br />The purpose of this report is to inform Congress'of our inteyrfion to move forward with this <br />two pronged approach such that future funding requests nIay include funds for forbearance <br />agreements and otheI)'ypass off-setting measures, and .funds to complete preparations of <br />the YDP. We rlMgrr:ze that completing the operational corrections for the YDP will take <br />two to three years, while executing temporary forbearance agreements may be achievable <br />more readily. <br /> <br />Our enclosed report documents the analyses that we have developed and describes the <br />measures that we propose. Implementation of these measures would allow the United <br />States the flexibility to meet the salinity control obligations in a manner consistent with the <br />Act, but at a lower overall cost than being limited to operating the YDP as the only <br />available option. <br /> <br />} <br />~ <br /> <br />'Meeting the salinity control obligations of the United States through the current bypass <br />operation continues to be viewed as a temporary operation and in no way establishes a long <br />term commitment to continue the bypass of the WMIDD drainage rather than treat and <br />recover the drainage water for delivery to the country of Mexico as part of their Treaty <br />entitlement. However, we recognize that 11,000 acres of wetlands has established itselfin <br />Mexico due to the long term continuation of the bypass operation, and that using the more <br />cost-effective water replacement measures would postpone the YDP operational impacts on <br />these resources. <br /> <br />The mix of strategies that we propose will allow us to determine on a yearly basis, whether <br />to operate the YDP, to obtain replacement water supplies or to use some combination of <br />those measures to meet the salinity control obligations. <br /> <br />In the development of this proposal, we have consulted with representatives of the United <br />States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. We have also <br />consulted with representatives ofthe Governors of the Colorado River Basin States, <br />representatives of non-governmental organizations and others having an interest in these <br /> <br />4 <br />