Proposal for Pilot Evaporation Pond

• Description: Related to CRSP MOA
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Author: Paradox Valley Unit
• Title: Proposal for Pilot Evaporation Pond
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Budget

Paradox Valley Unit
Proposal for Evaporation Pond
eared grebe was identified by the report as the bird with the highest death rate.)
The report mentions that one scenario is that birds seeking to rest land on the
ponds and, by morning, "their feathers are coated with sodium decahydrate
crystals making them unable to fly." Many birds use their beak to attempt to
remove the crystals from their feathers, which may contribute to greater oral
ingestion.
Birds incapable of flight are captured by airboat crews on the trona ponds early
each morning and treated in rehabilitation facilities. Treatment includes removing
sodium decahydrate crystals, warming their bodies, and rehydrating them orally
as needed. They are later released at a nearby river.
The challenges described above appear to be unique to the trona ponds in
Wyoming due primarily to the presence of sodium decahydrate as the main
constituent in the tailings water, combined with the possible attraction of
migratory birds by pond illumination from nearby buildings. The chemical
constituents in the brine at Paradox Valley, and at the Salt Lake Minerals
Company and Intrepid Moab evaporation ponds, do not include sodium
decahydrate(or perhaps only trace quantities). As such,rapidly-forming, sizable
crystals do not appear on birds and other solid objects at the referenced Salt Lake
and Moab ponds, and are not anticipated at the Paradox test pond. Additionally,
artificial light illumination at the Paradox test pond is not anticipated since the
pond is in a remote location away from buildings and other artificial light sources.
Migratory Bird Monitoring/Management Plan
Potential impact of the evaporation pond to migratory birds is a concern for this
pilot study. Close monitoring and proper management for migratory birds will be
conducted by Reclamation biologists. During the first month of pond operation as
well as the first month during bird migratory seasons from March through May in
the Spring and August through October in the Fall, monitoring would consist of
daily site visits and documentation by a trained Reclamation staff. Thereafter,
monitoring would be conducted on weekly basis. Although unlikely based on
operation of much larger evaporation ponds in other places(e.g.,the Great Salt
Lake Minerals Company and Intrepid Moab evaporation ponds), should an impact
be observed such as multiple birds die or appear to be impaired from drinking the
brine, delivery of brine to the pond would cease and an investigation for the cause
would start immediately.
If the investigation concludes with finding of unacceptable impact on the
migratory birds from the evaporation pond,brine in the pond would be pumped
back to the treatment plant using a portable pump and disposed of through the
existing injection well. The pond will initially be filled to only one terraced level
to allow for more rapid abandonment if needed. Any salt resulting from
evaporation would be concentrated, completely encapsulated with an appropriate
barrier material, and covered with at least three feet of soil. Required permits and
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