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Groundwater is a partially renewable resource. When groundwater extraction exceeds the <br />overall rate of recharge, the water resource can be mined to the point of physical or <br />economic exhaustion. When groundwater is extracted within the actual rate of recharge, <br />it is sustainable. Groundwater management is complicated because it is unseen and is <br />thereby more difficult to measure and monitor than surface water supplies. <br />Nevertheless, groundwater depletion is measurable and impacts are already evident at <br />many locations in the United States. Recently, advanced methods to assess resources and <br />simulate alternatives — including geographic information systems, computer modeling <br />capabilities, and geohydrology analysis methods —are available to help in making decisions <br />regarding surface and groundwater management. <br />Well- defined and directed investigations and proactive resource management planning are <br />ever more important to sustain all water for competing demands. Groundwater recharge <br />planning should also consider ancillary benefits such as opportunities to restore wetlands, <br />improve water quality, and maintain streamflows. Ultimately, proactive planning can be <br />more cost effective than emergency reactive measures. Coordinating resource activities <br />within a watershed perspective could be beneficial to help protect and sustain vital water <br />resources as populations grow and resource demands shift over time. <br />Policies and programs need to recognize the role of natural and artificial recharge in water <br />management planning. There is clearly a need to develop more effective programs, <br />policies, and legal mechanisms at the State and Federal level —that are responsive to the <br />inherent properties and interactions between surface and groundwater —to help resolve <br />current water issues and to sustain finite water resources for future generations. <br />This program invested in projects to promote recharge technology and examine the actual <br />issues and problems faced when applying recharge technology. The experience gained <br />from the program demonstration projects and investigations will be beneficial to future <br />groundwater recharge initiatives. The demonstration projects proved that groundwater <br />recharge can be effective under a wide range of circumstances. Well- planned recharge <br />applications and conjunctive strategies to integrate surface and groundwater planning will <br />play an important role in sustaining our water resources. <br />Executive Summary E13 <br />