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<br />Water Oualitv ImDrovement PrOl!ram <br />ReclamationlDeDartment of Al!riculture Units Beinl: Investil!ated <br />o <br /> <br />~ .. The following Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) studies were continued in <br /><.0 this reporting period, <br /> <br />Uinta Basin Unit (Reclamation-Department of Al!riculture) - The Stage Two study was <br />completed in 1989. Reclamation has proposed this unit for construction; the planning report/EIS <br />was sent to the Office of Management and Budget where it has languished for over two years. <br /> <br />A total of 1,370 annual ACP/long-term agreements and salinity control contracts have <br />been signed with land owners and 138 additional applications are on file. The major onfarm <br />salinity reduction practices being installed are sprinkler systems, improved surface distribution <br />systems and underground pipelines. To date, an estimated annual salt load reduction of 55,500 <br />tons of the planned 106,800 tons has been achieved. Replacement of wildlife values foregone <br />continues to receive high priority in the selection of contract awards. Wetlands have been <br />developed through construction of shallow ponds and habitat created through vegetative <br />plantings. <br /> <br />Price-San Rafael Rivers Unit (Reclamation-Department of Al!riculture) - The combined <br />Reclamation/SCS draft planning report/draft environmental impact statement was distributed to <br />the public in September 1991 and is being revised in response to concerns raised by EPA <br />regarding the loss of wetlands and what they perceive as an insufficient commitment by USDA <br />to voluntary replacement of fish and wildlife values foregone. During the year, additional <br />information was gathered and interagency meetings were held in an effort to resolve the <br />concerns. When fully implemented, this unit will remove an estimated 161,000 tons of salt. <br /> <br />San Juan River (Hammond) Unit (Reclamation-Department of As:riculture) - <br />Reclamation's planning report/environmental assessment is scheduled for completion in early <br />1993. The project will reduce salt loading by an estimated 27,700 tons per year. SCS <br />evaluations of the area east of the Hogback did not identify cost-effective salinity coritrol <br />opportunities. A closing report will be released in 1993. USDA is conducting additional <br />investigations in the area west of the Hogback. <br /> <br />Bureau of Reclom3tion Units Beinl! Investif:ated <br /> <br />Paradox Valley Unit (Reclamation) - Repairs and modifications to the injection facilities <br />were completed in 1991. Aquifer and pump testing with different blends of brine and fresh <br />water continued. <br /> <br />Lower Gunnison Basin Unit (Reclamation) - The Winter Water portion of the Unit will <br />remove winter flows from canal systems and, in lieu, serve the winter demand from a rural <br />domestic water distribution system. Construction of the Winter Water facilities is being done <br />by local entities with funding from Reclamation. Construction is ahead of schedule and under <br />budget. Projected completion of these facilities is expected in four years rather than the planned <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />,L-......L <br />