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. . . Lower Cunnison Unit March 1980 Page 2 of"2 The Feasibility Report is scheduled for late calen- dar year 1981, and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and public hearLng in early calendar yea):; 1982. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled for completion in late calendar year 1982. The FY80 appropriations include $441,000 for continued planning. LOCAL INTEREST ~ The Irrigation Hanagement Services (IHS) program has progressed at a satisfactory rate. The Uncompahgre Valley Water -Users Association will provide two men for the 1980 irrigation season under the cooperative agreement with Water and Power. This present cooperative agreement 1s scheduled to terminate September 1980. A plan to reduce salt loading has been recommended by the public; however, specific details of the plan have yet to be determined. The plan consists of concrete-lining canals and laterals crossing saline soils and saline shale bedrock, thereby reducing seepage water contacting and dissolving salts which would enter the river system. Studies. investigating surface and ground-water sources and quality and drainage characteristics of soils are continuing. Additional water conservation measures such as institutional controls to improve effi- ciency are also being considered. A redirected conservation program in 1980 will focus on district benefits rather than farmer benefits. New farmers who want help with irri- gation scheduling and practices will be included in a program with a more limited version of service. The water users will be taught how to check their own irrigated fields and how to use a general irrigation scheduling system. The district may need additional technical and finan- cial aid after 1980. The unit is divided into two areas of investigation: I., The Uncompahgre Valley Area, and II., The North Fork Area. Initial efforts will be to study the Uncompahgre Valley, with the North Fork Area to be investig~ted several years later. In a meeting on April 8, 1977, the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association passed a resolution to abandon the Uncompahgre Improvement Project and to transfer funds and support to the Lower Gunnison Unit studies as these two studies cover the same area. MARCH 1980 STATISTICS Diversions (acre-feet(year) 545,000 lrrigation service area (acres) Farm lands Residential lands Total 91,190 8,140 99,330 Nonirrigated area (acres) Wet areas Water areas Dry areas Total 13,360 1,450 73,740 88,550 Features (preliminary) (miles) Canals Laterals Lined canals and laterals Drains 140 411 20* 215 *Nurnber is included in previous totals. 51