High Plains States Groundwater Demonstration ProgramParts1&2

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In the course of reviewing project proposals in Phase I, it was apparent that the costs and number of potentially viable projects would likely exceed the appropriations available to implement demonstration projects. As a result, 21 prospective projects were selected for further development according to the provisions of the Act. Program funds were first appropriated in fiscal year 1985. In December of 1987, the Secretary of the Interior forwarded the Phase I Report to Congress (Reclamation, 1987) that included plans and recommendations for 21 specific recharge demonstration projects for design, construction, and operation as part of Phase H of the program. Phase H cooperative agreements were signed for the first projects in 1989. Projects were undertaken in the order that they made necessary arrangements for financing, engineering design, regulatory permits, and approved monitoring plans. Thirteen projects were started under the initial program appropriations, and one additional project was funded later by a specific appropriation. Table 2 shows the 14 projects implemented in Phase H. The remaining projects selected for Phase 11 either were deferred pending future funding appropriations or elected to withdraw from the program. The deferred projects include: Arcade, California; Stockton East, California; Arikaree, Colorado; Frenchman, Colorado; Big Creek Water Banking, Kansas; Woodward, Oklahoma; and the Texas High Plains, Texas. Obstacles cited by the proposal sponsors included changes in water management plans, inability to meet minimum cost -share requirements, monitoring costs outweighing the cost -share benefits, and unacceptable funding delays. Ultimately, all of the remaining deferred projects were terminated because of unavailable program appropriations. Program Summary Report Part I — Overview, Results, and Findings Z.J Table 2. Demonstration Recharge Projects — Planning and Coordination Reclamation EPA State Project Start Sponsor Region Region AZ Rillito Creek 1991 Pima County FCD Lower Colorado Region 9 CO Denver Basin 1991 Willows Water District Great Plains Region 8 ID Southwest ID 1992 Southwest Irrigation District Pacific Northwest Region 10 KS Equus Beds 1995 City of Wichita, Kansas Great Plains Region 7 MT Turner - Hogeland 1990 Montana Mines and Geology Great Plains Region 8 NE Wood River 1991 Cental Platte NR District Great Plains Region 7 NE York Project 1989 Upper Big Blue NR District Great Plains Region 7 NV Washoe 1990 Washoe County, Nevada Mid - Pacific Region 9 OK Blaine Gypsum 1990 Oklahoma Water Resources Great Plains Region 6 OR Hermiston 1989 City of Hermiston, Oregon Pacific Northwest Region 10 SD Huron 1990 South Dakota State University Great Plains Region 8 TX Hueco Bolson 1989 El Paso Water Utilities PSB Upper Colorado Region 6 LIT SE Salt Lake 1990 Salt Lake County WCD Upper Colorado Region 8 WA Highline 1989 City of Seattle, Washington Pacific Northwest Region 10 The remaining projects selected for Phase 11 either were deferred pending future funding appropriations or elected to withdraw from the program. The deferred projects include: Arcade, California; Stockton East, California; Arikaree, Colorado; Frenchman, Colorado; Big Creek Water Banking, Kansas; Woodward, Oklahoma; and the Texas High Plains, Texas. Obstacles cited by the proposal sponsors included changes in water management plans, inability to meet minimum cost -share requirements, monitoring costs outweighing the cost -share benefits, and unacceptable funding delays. Ultimately, all of the remaining deferred projects were terminated because of unavailable program appropriations. Program Summary Report Part I — Overview, Results, and Findings Z.J