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<br />Water Quality <br /> <br />All water quality sampling, testing, and data management for the demonstration project <br />were completed by USGS. USGS also developed a Quality Assurance/Quality Control <br />manual for the project. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />The surface water supply used for injection recharge was of good quality. Background <br />sampling and testing of the surface water from the Snake River, Cottonwood Creek, and <br />Dry Creek indicated no significant concentration of organic chemicals, heavy metals, or <br />excessive nutrients. The alkalinity and hardness content of the recharge supply water was <br />also acceptable for groundwater recharge at this location. <br /> <br />The project did not experience any significant water quality problems. No bacteriological <br />impacts were found in the monitoring well water that was sampled and analyzed. No <br />problems were encountered due to chemical interactions between the supply water and <br />aquifer formation. Some poorer quality groundwater showed improvement in total <br />dissolved solids after being mixed with the injected surface water. <br /> <br />Project Impacts <br /> <br />Environmental impacts of the project proved to be insignificant. The project area is <br />extensively developed for irrigated agriculture. All but one of the project injection, <br />monitoring, and observation wells were already in place as existing wells prior to the . <br />project. Impacts of noise, dust, etc., from construction activities were minimal. The acreage <br />of irrigated land, type of crops grown, agricultural practices, etc., were not changed by the <br />project. The total volume of water used for groundwater injection was minor compared to <br />the total diversions in the area for agriculture. The amount of water diverted from the <br />Snake River was so small that it would not be possible to account for it in a mass balance of <br />water diverted from Milner Dam to the Twin Falls Canal Company system. <br /> <br />Impacts on wildlife habitat and biological resources were also considered minimal. No <br />wetlands or riparian areas were adversely affected. Some riparian areas along Dry Creek <br />improvE!d from inst!llling stock watering facilitiesintended to draw livestock away from the <br />creek for the purpose of preventing coliform contamination. No specific cultural resources <br />were identified at the project sites that would be impacted by the project. <br /> <br />Public Involvement <br /> <br />The SWID holds regular annual meetings for all land owners and regular board meetings <br />that are open to the public. High Plains Demonstration Groundwater Recharge Project <br />issues were regularly discussed at these meetings. The project was covered by local media, <br />and public hearings were held in the Murtaugh area near where most of the residents are <br />located that would be interested in the project. The project received wide support from the <br />local community. It was perceived as an effort to address a vitally important issue that . <br />could benefit all residents in the area. <br /> <br />8 <br />