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~~ Gt.. ',1 . ,....f /': . Salitiity UP'.: - I11III _ _mo.- Update on Aquatraln TheAquatrain Project. a unique concept of diverting saline water through a pipeline to carry coal in plastic capsules to the Southwest, is being broadened to include other technology options, One such alternative would involve a concept of a single pipeline that will move coal/liquid carbon dioxide slurry and saline water on an alternating basis. Moving saline water to a point of use in a common product pipeline with liquid carbon dioxide and coal may offer the promise of meeting project objectives in a more cost effective manner than thecapsule. The aquatrain project may provide a cost- effective salinity control method for the Colorado River while providing an economically-<:ompetitive method of transporting coal and other commodities from northwest Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to domestic and potential export markets. The seven states of the Colorado River Basin. acting through the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum. have agreed to pursue Federal legislation and address related State permit and water rights issues. Under current schedules, which assume necessary authority and funding. the corridor selection and plan fonnulatlon alternatives should be identified by spring 1983 with award of contracts for environmental studies expected in late summer 1983, Technology development and financial/economic studies will proceed concurrently with the environmental studies. All necessary proof of concept studies is expected to be completed by mid-year 1985, Construction compietion is scheduled for the fall of 1989. On November 2.1982. Aquatrain, Inc,. and Reclamation signed a Cooperative Agreement to study the Aquatrain concept and its various applications. As stated in the Agreement both "agree in principle to jointly conducting the Aquatrain project studies" to determine the overall viability of the concept Both entities have been actively seeking others to join with them to undertake the design, construction and financing of the project However. the door of opportunity will soon be closed for anyone wishing to participate in the Aquatrain Study, The Saline Water Transport and Use Project Office is in , <, '.\ ~-....~ !iMlIlIl'l '" ,,~) '{ i..m-'i,;;.'_~ __iM!JIl,......,.~ JANUARY 1983 COOPERA TION INDUSTRY SALINE WATER USE PARTICIPANTS the process of issuing a formal notice of cloture to those interested in utilizing the pipeline system for commodities transportation, interested parties will have up to 60 days to express intent. Aquatrain Planning Team The aquatrain pianning team may be Reciamation's first totaliy cooperative joint venture with industry and other agencies. The Saline Water Transport and Use Project Office will be staffed by about 12 Federal and industry participants by early 1983, Currently. Mike Clinton, Project Manager, Rheda Dodd. and Claire Gehrett, secretarial staff. are the three Reclamation personnel permanentiy assigned, Kharol Stefanec is on detail from Reclamation's Lower Missouri Region, Other staff members are James Dean. on assignment from the Bureau of Land Management. and Floyd Summers, on assignment from Westem Area Power Administration, Aquatrain, inc,. incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. has assigned Mr, Ira E. McKeever. President; Mr, Cass C, Legai. and Ms, Elizabeth Sturges-Murray to the Saline Water Transport and Use Office, Bureau of Land Management BLM is continuing to study processes of salt pickup and transport in surface runoff from rangeiands and ground water on the pUblic domain, BLM's coordinatorforsaiinity control is Steve Vandas from the Colorado State Office of BLM. Other BLM employees will continue to work on salinity control as it relates to their specific project areas, Additional studies are needed to identify the location of point sources of salinity resulting from groundwater discharge, The foliowing activities are recommended for the identification and eventual implementation of salinity control measures to reduce salt yieids from public lands: 1, Identification of watersheds which are located on saline soils which are experiencing accelerated rates of erosion.