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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3678 BIG SANDY RIVER UNIT - W~OM~. The Dig Sandy River Unit is located in southwestern Wyoming along the Big Sandy River which flows into the Green River. The unit involves the Eden Project ~rea ne~r the towns of Farson and Eden in Sweetwater county. The project seeks to reduce salt pickup from seeps and springs along a IS-mile reach of the Dig Sandy River west of Eden. To date, 100 wells have been drilled ranging in depth from 30 to 1,600 feet. These investigations indicate that the seeps total 20 to 30 cubic feet per second and are mainly from an aquifer which is SO to 60 feet deep near Big Sandy Reservoir and which surfaces sever~l miles downstream from Farson. The salt from the seeps is believed to result from excess irrigation water leaking through the shale of Lhe Green River Formation. The seeps have a salt concentration that range from 3,000 to 5,000 mg/L which would result in an annual load of over 110,000 tons. This results in an increased salt concentration of 9 mg/L.at Imperial Dam. The Bureau is investigating off-farm methods of salinity control through a professional services contract awarded in July, 1981. Energy companies have indicated an interest in the use of Big Sandy water for coal-related energy development, and the contractor is expected to address this potential as well as alternative collection and disposal plans. Among the least popular alternatives with the local people is the land and irrigation retirement plans. The state of Wyoming is cOncerned about an evaporation ponds proposal since this could involve over 13,000 acre-feet of water. The state would rather have the water used for industrial purposes although a coal slurry pipeline is not favored. The publie involvement program is being developed so that the selection of a recommended plan can be accomplished by the summer of 1982. The feasibility report is scheduled for com- pletion in NOvember 1964. (updated 11/23/81) DS:cs -11-