Note: This reference article (2012) about the Paradox Salinity Program is the first of two parts.
Part two (2019) is located HERE

COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.

The existing deep-injection well, which began operations in 1996, is nearing the end of its useful life (generating earthquakes) and action will be needed by Reclamation to continue long term salinity control at the Paradox Unit. A new injection well alternative and an evaporation pond alternative, as well as other alternatives are being considered for future brine disposal. Reclamation intends to conduct a study/Environmental Impact Statement to develop and evaluate alternatives for the continued operations of the Paradox Unit.

As part of this study, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum) has requested that Reclamation develop a pilot study to gather information to evaluate the use of evaporation ponds as an alternative to deep well injection to control salt brine from entering the Dolores River near Bedrock, Colorado. The Forum is comprised of representatives appointed by the governors from the respective states in the Colorado River Basin (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and was created for interstate cooperation and to provide the states with the information necessary to reduce salinity concentrations in the Colorado River and to comply with Section 303 (a) and (b) of the Clean Water Act.

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WAS REOPENED AND COMMENTS DUE ON NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Click here to read the Federal Register Notice

Click here to study the scoping meeting presentation

Click here to visit Reclamation's site for this EIS

Send your comments regarding the scope and content of the EIS should be sent to:

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Note: The first round of the scoping comment period closed on January 31, 2012.

Click here to read the scoping letter from Living Rivers et al.

Click here to read the comments of an NGO coalition and also here

Click here to read the scoping report (February, 2013)

Paradox Valley salinity control scoping documents

• Paradox Scoping Report of February 2013
• Paradox Salinity Scoping Document
• Paradox Scoping Letter Nov 2011
• Salinity Scoping Map
• Salinty Paradox Valley USBR press release

Law of the River

• 1972 - Clean Water Act
• 1973 - Minute 242
• 1974 - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act

Websites

• Reclamation's Salinity Control Program 
• Reclamation's Paradox Valley Project

Additional Information

• 1978 - Paradox Valley Unit: Definite Plan Report. Reclamation.
• 1979 - Environmental Impact Statement. Reclamation.
• Biological Opinion for the Dolores Project
• 1985 -  Economic Review of Salinity Control Program. Gardner et al.
• 1986 - Evaporation data for Lake Powell. Reclamation.
• 1986 - Decree 83 CW 14
• 1986 - Decree 83 CW 14 (Findings)
• 1993 - Salinity Control Report
• 1993 - Report to Congress
• 1997 - FONSI. Reclamation.
• 1997 - Paradox SDDR. Reclamation.
• 1999 - Salinity Control Report
• Salinity Control Story UCRB. Danzer.
• History of the Salinity Control Project. Reclamation.
• 2003 - Progress Report.Reclamation.
• 2004 Progress Report. Reclamation.
• 2005 - Salinity Control Report
• 2006 - Memo of Injury and Mitigation. CWCB.
• 2008 - Salinity Control Report
• 2008 - Summary Report. Franson Engineering.
• 2010 - Decree 10 CW 21
• 2011 - Salinity Control Draft Report
• 2011- Salinity Control Final Report
• 2011 - Progress Report. Reclamation.
• Paradox UIC Permit. EPA.

Under construction. More information will follow soon.