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<br />". ,', <br /> <br />,-' ., <br /> <br />Sedimentation <br /> <br />The sediment coming off the upper portions of the irrigated fields is being deposited on <br /> <br />the lower portions of the field and into drains, creeks, and the Arkansas River. This <br /> <br />sediment deposition on fields lowers the produotlvity potential. The sediment also <br /> <br />carries nitrates, trace elements, heavy metals, and other pollutants into the streams and <br /> <br /> <br />reduces channel capacity and the quality of fish and wildlife habitat. This reduces <br /> <br />channel capacity and the quality of fish and wildlife habitat. This also reduces the <br /> <br />storage capacity of John Martin Efeservoir. <br /> <br />Prime and Imoortant Farmlands <br /> <br />The resource base is being deteriorated by irrigation induced erosion and <br /> <br />sedimentation. <br /> <br />Social/Economic <br /> <br />Scoping found that reduced water quality, lower effective irrigation water application as <br /> <br />well as irrigation induced erosion has reduced yield, changed cropping patterns from <br /> <br />higher valued crops and thereby reduced the income of the watershed area. Irrigated <br /> <br />agriculture and livestock contribute to the major portions of the economy of the area. <br /> <br />Wildlife H~bit8t <br /> <br />Erosion and sedimentation degrade upland wildlife habitat. Riparian vegetation along <br /> <br />streams and the Arkansas River ~af6 al5e-being neQatively imoacted Ela€lFaelad by <br /> <br />pollutants. <br /> <br />:;5.*5 <br />