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4. GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT o Location: Based on the principles submitted by Nebraska, groundwater management has been limited to a total yield of no more than 6,000 ac-ftlyr until it can be successfully demonstrated through a phased-in projecUhat groundwater mining will not occur at this level. Nebraska has indicated they will not consider expanding groundwater management unless further investigation and study reveals that higher yields can be sustained. Nebraska is reserving 50 percent of the total yield of this project to offset net depletions, in which case, the remaining 50 percent, or 3,000 ac-ftlyr, is available to the Program. A 13,OOO-acre area located under the Phelps Canal system is a potential groundwater management area due to high groundwat~r tables. The area is bounded by the Phelps Canal to the south and east, by the Township 6 line to the north, and by the Funk Odessa Road to the west. Another groundwater management area being considered by Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (TBNRD) is the Reynold's and Robb Wetland, which is located in Section 10, Township 8 North, Range 21 West. This area is approximately 60 acres in size and is currently managed for wildlife under an agreement with the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture. Other potential groundwater management areas in Phelps and Kearney Counties include approximately;22,000 acres in Township 7 North, Ranges 18 and 19 West, and 23,000 acres in Townships 6 and 7 North and Ranges 15, 16, and 17 West. o Basic Description: Groundwater management can be accomplished in a number of ways. Several options t~at CQuL'Cl be implemented to manage the: groundwater mound are described below. Option 1: Aetive Groundwater Pumpi~g from High Groundwater Areas. This would involve pumping from areas of high groundwater and returning water back to the Platte River. If this option is implemented under the Phelps Canal system, wells capable of pumping 1,000 gpm for up to 100 days a year (moStly during the summer months) could be installed and tied into a collection system(s) that discharge water into Lost Creek and/or North Dry Creek for return to the Platte River. Up to nine wells would be required to pump 3,000 ac-ftlyr (roughly 30 percent additional capacity was added for redundancy). Option 2: Passive Lowering of the Groundwater Table. This would involve paying farmers to dry-land farm every other year. The associated reduction in surface water use could either be returned to the Platte River or stored in the Lake McConaughy EA when storage space is available. This project could be implemented effectively under the Phelps Canal system. Irrigators would make beneficial use of their water every other year in which case it would not be subject to forfeiture under the "use-it-or-lose-it" condition. C:\Droft Water Action PlllIl (Mll)' 30, 2000)\Wllpc report (Version 6 BND2hdoc 36