Proposal for Pilot Evaporation Pond

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Paradox Valley Unit Proposal for Evaporation Pond Paradox Valley might be prone to behave similarly to the populations visiting the Great Salt Lake, by identifying appropriate nearby sources of water and food that do not include the brine in the evaporation pond. Review of Evaporation Ponds and Migratory Birds at Moab,Utah Intrepid Potash, Inc. operates 400 acres of evaporation ponds about 10 miles south west of Moab,Utah. These ponds are filled with mineral-rich brine from solution mining methods applied at the Cane Creek Mine. The evaporation process leaves behind minerals including potash(potassium chloride) and salt(sodium chloride) crystals that are processed and sold. A comparison of the brine chemical composition is shown in Figure 5. Chemical Composition of Brine Great Salt Lake Element Minerals Co Paradox Valley Intrepid Moab Sodium 32.8% 36.7% 27.4% Potassium 2.0% 1.8% 13.7% Magnesium 3.3% 0.7% 0.5% Calcium 0.2% 0.5% 0.7% Chloride 54.5% 58.0% 56.1% Sulfate 7.2% 2.4% 1.6% Figure 5—Comparison of Brine Chemical Composition Although the brine chemical composition at the Paradox Valley Unit is different from the brine at Intrepid's Moab evaporation ponds,multiple similarities exist between the two project sites. The Intrepid ponds and the proposed Paradox test pond are both situated alongside rivers (Colorado River and Dolores River respectively). The Intrepid ponds are approximately 50 air miles west of the proposed Paradox test pond, and both sites are part of the same geologic formation. Due to their close proximity,the Intrepid and Paradox Valley pond sites are essentially in the same area within the western edge of the Central Flyway for migratory birds. A review of the area surrounding Moab indicates concern regarding hazards to migratory birds from brine that comes out of gas and oil wells. Yet, no documented adverse effects were found for migratory birds at or near the Intrepid evaporation ponds. Intrepid's website states that"there are no hazardous materials produced or used in the ponds or at the processing plant." Similar to the evaporation ponds adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, evidence suggests that migratory birds identify nearby areas of more suitable habitat, such as the Colorado River,that do not include brine from the evaporation pond. It seems logical that migratory birds in the Paradox Valley would also find water 9