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<br />" <br />",\ ' <br /> <br />~ <br />~!. <br /> <br />be proposed on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The <br />previously mentioned Salinity Control Forum, who approves funding for Reclamation's <br />programs, also coordinates activities of the respective agencies. <br /> <br />Irrigation drainage water can be a source of high levels of a trace element, selenium. <br />Selenium is known to cause mortality, birth defects, and reproductive failure in waterfowl <br />and fish. Since 1985, the Department of the Interior has been conducting the National <br />Irrigation Water Quality Program to identify problems associated with irrigation drainage. <br />Reconnaissance surveys of irrigation projects and major wildlife resource areas (wildlife <br />refuges, wetlands) identified selenium concerns for the Uncompahgre Project area. <br />Additional data was collected in 1991-92. The study team is preparing a report on the <br />source, distribution, movement, and fate of selenium in the hydrologic and biologic systems <br />in the Uncompahgre Project area. Unpublished results show about 64 percent of water <br />samples exceeded criterion for protection of-aquatic life. Subsurface and natural drainages in <br />the east side that receive return flows of irrigation water contribute the largest selenium <br />loads. A high correlation between selenium and salinity loads is suspected; therefore, <br />salinity control projects that reduce deep percolation also should reduce selenium loading. <br />One factor to be considered in replacing habitat lost by the East Side Laterals proposal would <br />be to avoid concentrating selenium and associated problems to wildlife. Reclamation is <br />leading an interagency effort to verify selenium concentration problems and identify remedial <br />actions. Solutions may involve measures that reduce or manage drainage water, and may <br />identify opportunities for coordination with salinity control projects. <br /> <br />Specific plans for piping "A" system laterals would need to be coordinated with the AB <br />Lateral Hydropower Project. Using private funds, it would construct and operate a 40- <br />megawatt powerplant using Uncompahgre Project facilities and water. Water would be <br />diverted from the Gunnison River to the AB Lateral via the Gunnison 1\mnel and South <br />Canal. Reclamation's role consists of granting a "Lease of Power Privilege" for use of <br />Uncompahgre Project facilities and water. Reclamation prepared an Environmental Impact <br />Statement and issued a Record of Decision in December 1992. Environmental concerns <br />relate to changes in streamflows of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers caused by year- <br />round operation of the powerplant, especially increases in non-irrigation season flows in the <br />Uncompahgre River. The sponsors of the project recently completed studies and applied for <br />a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act that includes plans to mitigate riparian <br />impacts. <br /> <br />4 <br />