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OMW A Selenium Remediation Project-Final Environmental Assessment 3 National Irrigation Water Qualitv Pro1!ram The National Irrigation Water Quality Program (NIWQP) is an intra-departmental program that evaluates Department of the Interior (DOl) irrigation projects; considers drain water contamination and related impacts to endangered species or migratory birds; develops alternatives for remediation; and implements alternatives. Program participants are the Geological Survey, Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Reclamation. These projects are necessary to ensure that federally constructed irrigation projects are in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The program is managed by Reclamation on behalf of the participating agencies. An interdisciplinary (ID) team was formed in October 1998 with the assignment to develop a selenium remediation plan for the OMW A. The team members were: SQeciality .' Steve McCall - Reclamation Del Smith - Reclamation Larry Burns - Reclamation Jone Wright - Reclamation Dave Butler - Geological Survey Barb Osmundson - Fish & Wildlife Service Mike Baker - Reclamation Environmental analysis Wetlands/ ground water Design & cost estimates Public information Water & sediment monitoring Biota impacts & monitoring Team leader/ general planning Public Scoping In November 1998, the ID Team held a tour and workshop to inform the public and interested agencies about the problems and issues at the OMW A and to obtain the public's ideas on how to correct the problems. Two newsletters were developed and distributed to stakeholders to present information on the alternatives and study progress, and solicit stakeholder input. Nineteen remediation options, suggested by the public and study team, were then screened (see Table 1 in the appendix). From the scoping process eight options met the initial screening criteria and were developed by the ill Team: 1. Treatment Plant 2. Evaporation Ponds 3. Collect and Convey Directly to the Colorado River 4. Divert and Reuse 5. Deep Well Injection 6. Dilute or Flush 7. Retire Agricultural Lands 8. Remove Beaver Dams