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The focus of the program was on implementing applied groundwater recharge projects <br />through cooperative cost - sharing arrangements with local water management agencies and <br />research organizations. The demonstration projects represented a variety of potential <br />recharge applications, including methods to address specific water management problems <br />and accommodate different hydrogeologic conditions. These projects provided practical <br />information concerning the overall feasibility, scope of applications, economic efficiency, <br />and public support considerations in planning for groundwater recharge. <br />Program Activities <br />The program legislation directed Reclamation to conduct an investigation in two phases <br />to establish demonstration projects and evaluate the scope, location, and feasibility of <br />implementing groundwater recharge projects in the Western States. Phase I involved the <br />initial planning and preliminary evaluations of projects proposed by the local project <br />sponsors. Phase H involved the actual implementation of cooperative demonstration <br />projects, including design planning, construction, operations, monitoring, and completion <br />of demonstration activities through restoration of project recharge facilities or transferring <br />ownership and operational responsibilities to the project sponsors. <br />Phase I started when program funds were first appropriated in fiscal year 1985. Forty -one <br />demonstration project proposals were evaluated in Phase I. These project proposals were <br />evaluated based on engineering feasibility, cost - sharing arrangements, and the overall <br />program funding limitations. In December 1987, the Phase I initial planning investigations <br />were completed and the Phase I Report to Congress was forwarded, containing specific <br />recommendations for 21 projects for continuation into the Phase H implementation. <br />Phase H demonstration project planning, construction, and operation activities started in <br />fiscal year 1989. The demonstration projects were carried out through cooperative <br />agreements with sponsor organizations. The project sponsors undertook the technical <br />implementation while Reclamation coordinators and EPA counterparts provided program <br />oversight and technical review. Thirteen projects were started under the initial program <br />appropriations, and one additional project was funded by a specific appropriation. The <br />other projects were deferred pending additional planning and funding. <br />In 1992, the provisions of Title XXVI of P.L. 102 -575 increased the total budget ceiling <br />to allow extension of projects already in progress to obtain additional data, ensure aquifer <br />protection, and to allow recharge cycles that were delayed by drought. <br />In 1993, a review completed by the Office of the Inspector General concluded that the <br />program was accomplishing its goals with the demonstration projects already underway. <br />Reclamation therefore limited further funding to the projects in progress. The projects <br />had different starting and ending dates due to the time required for planning investigations, <br />administering cooperative agreements, institutional constraints, and variable water supply <br />conditions. All of the demonstration project activities were completed by 1999. <br />E2 High Plains States Groundwater Demonstration Program <br />