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..... ~ o -.:] present. The State representative for that district was also present and addressed the gathering. Moapa Valley Unit, Nevada This salinity control unit is located in the Muddy River watershed immediately upstream of the Overton arm from Lake Mead. Approximately 4,860 acres ofland are irrigated in this area. The Muddy River contributes an average of about 56,500 tons of salt to Lake Mead annually. USDA The Moapa Valley final plan/environmental impact statement was issued in January 1993, and the Record of Decision (ROD) was published February 26, 1993. Many local meetings were held to discuss the various implementation actions. The first salinity control contract in this unit was signed with the Muddy Valley Irrigation Company. This contract is for installation ofthe beginning segments of the irrigation water distribution system. A weather station has been installed and localclirnatological data is being recorded to determine irrigation water needs for crops in the Moapa Valley. Paradox Valley Unit, Colorado Reclamation Reclamation's testing program at Paradox is designed to evaluate the feasibility of deep well injection as a method of brine (salt) disposal. The testing program is addressing three issues: . Mechanical and operational costs. . Chemical incompatibility. . Injectivity of the receiving formation. In 1993, Reclamation completed repairs identified in its shakedown testing of the facility in 1992, including mechanical and electrical 16 upgrades, acid stimulation of the well, injection of a freshwater buffer zone, and initial pump-in testing with brine. Experience in operating the well has defined the costs. If the well can accept enough brine, the operation will be cost effective. Cost effectiveness is driven by costs and tons removed. The critical issue remaining to be re80lved is the injectivity of the well. The costs are fairly well known, but without an estimate of how much brine (salt) can be injected, the cost effectiveness cannot be computed. If testing of the receiving formation shows that the well can accept sufficient amounts of brine to be cost effective, a planning report will be prepared to evaluate alternatives and determine if the injection facility should be expanded to include pretreatment of the brine for sulfate removal or abandoned. Sulfate removal would eliminate chemical incompatibility problem. Chemical incompatibility ofthe brine with the receiving formation was tested and confirmed by independent consultants. Sulfate removal, a relatively simple process, should be sufficient to eliminate this problem. This will be pursued only if injection te8ting demonstrates that the well will be reasonably cost effective. If at any time during testing of the receiving formation, the test results show that well cannot accept sufficient amounts of brine to be cost effective, a planning report would be prepared to evaluate other alternatives for the unit, such as evaporation. Pariette Draw BLM Water quality monitoring stations are beginning to yield data on salt and flows in Pariette Draw, located in eastern Utah. Improvements have been made in the upper branch to reduce sedimentation into Pariette Draw in the Vernal District.