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In weighing alternatives for cost allocation, it is clear that economic feasibility depends on <br />the purpose and scope of a given recharge effort. Planning recharge projects may involve <br />different institutional issues at the local, regional, or national level. Improved mechanisms <br />to coordinate existing authorities and eliminate overlapping requirements or ineffective <br />provisions could facilitate appropriate application of groundwater recharge; however, it <br />does not appear that any specific new authorities are necessary to effectively incorporate <br />recharge into appropriate water management activities in the public interest. <br />Scope and Feasibility of Recharge <br />Groundwater recharge technology has proven to be effective in a variety of circumstances. <br />Aquifer recharge occurs naturally in most instances; however, groundwater recharge <br />technology has developed as a way to provide additional water to supplement natural <br />recharge or to use underground formations for water storage. This program was <br />undertaken to identify the factors that can influence the effective use of groundwater <br />recharge in overall management plans. <br />Artificial recharge can play a vital role in water management. The basic characteristics of <br />different recharge approaches are important aspects in planning to ensure that objectives <br />are consistent and methods are feasible under the particular circumstances. Artificial and <br />natural groundwater recharge processes should both be considered in developing major <br />conjunctive use strategies or comprehensive water management plans. <br />In addition, planning should account for the ancillary benefits of recharge projects such as <br />habitat restoration, fishery enhancement, maintaining streamflows, preventing subsidence, <br />and creating recreation opportunities. Documenting these intangible or secondary benefits <br />may be an important aspect in determining economic feasibility. <br />Local and Systemwide Planning <br />Recharge operations that are considered large scale fall into two main types of recharge <br />strategies. Large -scale conjunctive use plans have been pursued as underground storage <br />options for short -term water management. The ability to replenish large aquifer systems <br />by artificial recharge is a separate issue that receives greater attention when groundwater <br />drawdown problems are imminent. Although large -scale plans were not possible within <br />the scope of the demonstration projects, the practical experience may be transferrable. <br />Overall, the demonstration projects proved that groundwater recharge can be effective to <br />meet some local water management needs. For example, recharge can be economically <br />feasible to compensate for seasonal drawdown or to meet peak water demands. Although <br />the specific projects were effective to resolve local short -term needs, it is evident that as <br />water resources become increasingly constrained and competition grows for scarce water <br />resources, there will be greater emphasis on integrating surface and groundwater sources <br />to meet competing municipal, agricultural, and environmental uses. <br />Executive Summary Eg <br />