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<br />,. <br /> <br />.... <br />-.] <br />a> <br />01, <br /> <br />Las Vegas Wash Unit, NY <br /> <br />A reevaluation of the original evaporation <br />pond/desalting plan has resulted in <br />consideration of new concepts for salinity <br />control in the Wash area. An October 1982 <br />status report recommended proceeding with <br />a verification program in the Pittman area to <br />convey low salinity industrial cooling water <br />around highly saline soil, preventing ground- <br />water infiltration and salt pickup. <br />Moreover, the salt pickup could be <br />reduced by 79,(XX) tons per year by a 4.5-mile <br />bypass channel which would convey, with <br />minimal seepage, wastewater and minor <br />storm runoff along the north side of the Wash <br />flood plain. <br />A continuing ground-water monitoring <br />program in the Lower Las Vegas Valley has <br />been augmented by the addition of about 50 <br />new wells in the Pittman area. These wells are <br />/ being used to verify expected changes in <br />groundwater levels and quality before and <br />after the abandonment of unlined <br />wastewater ditches in the area. <br />A contract to construct the 3.5-mile <br />Pittman bypass pipeline is expected to be <br />awarded in March of 1984. The wastewater is <br />expected to be diverted to the Pittman <br />Bypass Pipeline by October 1984. The <br />curtailment of seepage from the unlined <br />ditches is expected to cause a rapid drop in <br />groundwater levels in the Pittman area, <br /> <br />resulting in reduced saline groundwater <br />inflow to Las Vegas Wash. The monitoring of <br />the resulting groundwater changes is <br />expected to continue through Fiscal Year <br />1985, at which time an assessment would be <br />made of the results of the Pittman Verification <br />Program. <br />An effort is being made to coordinate the <br />proposed salinity control action with plans of <br />Clar1< County agencies. Opposition has been <br />expressed to the proposed bypass channel <br />by several local entities. <br />Although there are several issues of <br />contention, the primary concems appear to <br />be two fold: (1) the possible impacts the <br />bypass channel would have on the existing <br />and proposed wetlands environment in the <br />Las Vegas Wash and (2) the possible <br />reduction of the nutrient stripping capability <br />of the wetlands if the wastewater effluent is <br />bypassed around the Las Vegas Wash, <br />thereby increasing wastewater treatment <br />costs. <br />The Bureau of Reclamation continues to <br />wor1< closely with the local entities in <br />addressing these issues. <br />A Finding of No Significant Impact <br />(FONSI) for the Pittman Verification Program <br />and Environmental Assessment Report was <br />signed in May 1983. This report outlines the <br />concept of a vegetation test plot which would <br />determine and demonstrate the feasibility of <br />establishing and maintaining native <br /> <br />vegetation with available ground water. This <br />concept was developed in consultation with <br />the Fish and Wildlife Service. The test site is a <br />means of obtaining data necessary for <br />successful implementation of the salinity <br />control project, demonstrating the <br />compatibility of salinity control plans and <br />wetland par1< plans, and securing public <br />support of a salinity control project. <br /> <br />prtce - San Rafael Rivers, Utah <br /> <br />Reclamation and SCS held public <br />meetings in Price and Castle Dale, Utah, <br />during November to discuss cost effective <br />altemative treatments with local water users <br />and decision makers. There was <br />considerable discussion on Reclamation's <br />livestock watering systems proposals and <br />SCS's land treatment and water <br />management assistance proposals. It was <br />determined that both programs should <br />continue to move ahead as quickly as <br />possible. <br />The USDA Draft On-Farm Report is <br />presently undergoing in-house review. <br />The Appraisal Level Design & Cost <br />Estimate Report prepared for Reclamation <br />by CH2M Hill has been distributed for <br />interagency review. <br /> <br />For questions concerning projects discussed <br />in this newsletter, please contact the Public <br />Affairs Office in the Region responsible for <br />that project. <br /> <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br />Upper Colorado Regional Office <br />P.O. Box 11568 <br />Salt Lake City, Utah 84147 <br /> <br />Telephone: <br /> <br />FTS 588-5403 <br /> <br />Commercial: <br /> <br />801-524-5403 <br /> <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br />Lower Colorado Regional Office <br />P.O. Box 427 <br />Boulder City, Nevada 89005 <br /> <br />Telephone: <br />Commercial: <br /> <br />FTS 598-7420 <br />702-~842O <br /> <br />For answers to general questions or items <br /> <br />(. <br /> <br />you would like to see included in SALlNl1Y <br />UPDATE, write to: <br /> <br />Editor, SALINITY UPDATE, D-1OCXJ <br />Colorado River Water Quality Office <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br />P.O. Box 25{'fJ7 <br />Denver Federal Center <br />Denver, Colorado 80225 <br /> <br />Telephone: <br />Commercial: <br /> <br />FTS 234-4180 <br />303-234-4180 <br />