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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3655 \ Project areas. This area begins about 8 miles upsi:r,~am of Montrose on the uncompahgre River and covers both sid~s of the valley, spreading out significantly as it descends to the Gunnison River. ~he uncompahgre Project diverts nearly 350,000 acre-feet of water from the Gunnison River through the G~nnison Tunnel to the Uncompahgre Valley for irrigation of 86,000 acres of land. The Bureau's recommended plan consists of lining 254 miles of canals ann laterals on the Cilst side of the LJneompahqrc niver where salt loading is highest. In addition another component of the plan is the elimination of winter watering. Currently, several canals and laterals are used periodically during the winter months to run water for livestock. This operation WOUld\ be replaced by a rural domestic water system which is in the area. The recommended plan would annually reduce the salt load to the Gunnison Kiver by 140,500 tons, and it would reduce the \ salinity concentration at Imperial Dam by 15.2 mg/l. The total cost of the project is estimated at $141 million and yields a cost-effectiveness value of $702,000 per 109/I. Impacts The off-farm pro~ram for the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit would have a significant impact on the area. The selected plan recommends the acquisition of 2100 acres of land for mitigation purposes. The present use of this land as stated in the latest report, iE; primarily ill)r [cultural. In addition the loc~l economy would likely be affected by the construction of this $141,000,000 project. It is estimated that the project would be constructed over a ten-year periOd and would affect the supply of labor and related services. The Bureau of Reclamation has reported that the project would increase employment by 560 .:or peak year construction and also -21-