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<br />w <br /><::> <br />~..... <br />C)"{ <br /> <br />. United States Department of Agriculture <br />Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program <br />Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 1996 <br /> <br />The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Colorado River Basin Salinity Control <br />(CRSC) Program is administered through the cooperative efforts of the Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service (NRCS), Cooperative. State Research, Education and Extension Service <br />(CSREES), and Agricultural Research Service (ARS). <br /> <br />Funding <br /> <br />In fiscal year 1996, $2.681 million was appropriated for the USDA Colorado River Basin Salinity <br />Control Program. These funds were used for cost-sharing and technical assistance. with <br />participants; monitoring and evaluating impacts of the program; and for information and education <br />activities. <br /> <br />Status of Implementation <br /> <br />Because this report is being prepared prior to the end of fiscal year 1996, the indicated progress is <br />based upon the best available information as of September 13, 1996. The cumulative salt reduction <br />numbers will become available by the end of November. The accomplishments stated in this report <br />result from the coordinated efforts of the indicated USDA agencies in administration of the <br />program and in assisting participants to implement salinity measures. <br /> <br />Grand Valley, Colorado <br /> <br />Implementation has been underway in this unit since 1979. In 1996, 92 new contracts were <br />approved for a total of 3,522 CRSC contracts and Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) <br />salinityflong-term agreements since the program began. There are 65 applications:pending <br />approval. <br /> <br />The application of salinity control and wildlife habitat replacement practices continues. Fanners <br />are installing underground pipelines, gated pipe, concrete lined ditches, land leveling, and a variety <br />of other practices. The installation of surge irrigation systems continues to increase. <br /> <br />Twenty-two surge units were installed by fanners in 1996. A total of 376 surge units have been <br />--installed by salinity control participants. Evaluation results show significant reductions in deep <br />percolation from surge irrigation. The surge units provide the participants with the capability of <br />performing fertigation, which involves applying liquid nitrogen fertilizer during the soak stage of <br />irrigation. Acceptance of this practice is an additional incentive for fanners to install surge <br />systems. <br /> <br />Through the use of Bureau of Reclamation grants, the project developed a gnide for landowners on. <br />incorporating ditches and laterals into their irrigation systems and an urban water users guide. <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />