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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I A L T ERN A T I V E S FORMULATION OF ALTERNATIVES Since water utilization by the CAP has not developed as projected, and reservoir storage conditions are such that the reservoir system is likely to refill in the near-term, the United States continues to be able to meet California water requests. It appears, therefore, that the interim period will continue for the next few years and possibly longer, entitling the Secretary to the temporary use of the water conserved by lining the Coachella Canal. The 132,000 af per year of conserved water is expected to adequately offset reservoir releases made in lieu of the WMIDD drainage bypassed to the Slough, to meet quantity and quality obligations to Mexico. Recognizing that during the interim period, operation of the Desalting Plant is not.needed for meeting the water quality provisions of Minute No. 242, but does reduce the loss of water supplies belonging to the Basin States, interim period alternatives to Desalting Plant operation were formulated. Five basic alternatives with sub-options have been formulated and are discussed in this section of the report. The alternatives recover or replace 78,500 af per year and assume that WMIDD drainage will be reduced to 132,000 af per year or less. The estimated annual costs do not include any costs for acquiring water to replace the remaining 53,500 af per year of bypass. The discussion of each alternative includes a legal, institutional, and technical analysis in addition to a presentation of variations on each of the five basic alternatives. The basic alternatives include: A. Shut down the Desalting Plant and, After the Interim Period, Use Releases from Storage to Meet the 1944 Treaty. A(I}. Shut down Desalting Plant B. Do Not Operate the Desalting Plant and, After the Interim Period, Activate the Desalting Plant. B(I}. Deactivate Desalting Plant B(2}. Desalting Plant on Standby C. Operate the Desalting Plant at Partial Capacity During the Interim Period. C( I} . Operate at One- Thi rd Capacity 16