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<br />fP)mrCj;~.' ')lI<JZ~:~ <br />/l1lf ,"~ < <br />'I' ,"LI' 1 0 '"oqc <br />, JU,) <br />LJ <br />FACT SHEET COLORADO WATER <br />Lower Gunnison Basin Unit-NorthOONS€RVAT/ON e(lr -~, September 19B5 <br /> <br />PUBLIC MEETING--JUNE 15, 1985 <br /> <br />The first public meeting for this study was held in Hotchkiss, with about 15 people attending. The <br />purpose of the meeting was to explain the nature and objective of the salinity control study and to listen <br />to comments and questions. <br /> <br />The purpose of Reclamation's salinity control study in the North Fork area is to determine if some viable, <br />cost-effective method of preventing salts from entering the Gunnison North Fork river system could be <br />found. Reclamation is studying the off-farm salt sources such as the irrigation delivery system and <br />springs, while the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has already studied on-farm sources of salt. The <br />implementation of SCS plans has not been authorized by Congress. Some possibilities for reducing off-farm <br />salt contributions include: <br /> <br />o Lining canals and laterals <br />o Providing alternate sources for winter water <br />o Providing sprinkler irrigation delivery systems <br />through the use of pipes <br /> <br />COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS <br /> <br />It was pointed out to Reclamation representatives <br />that intermittent winter stock water flows could <br />cause ice jams and flooding in the irrigation <br />delivery system. Also. a comment was made that <br />people receiving their domestic water from springs <br />would not want a chlorinated supply of winter stock <br />water delivered through the domestic system. The <br />following questions were voiced at the meeting and <br />responses are provided. <br /> <br />How would the project affect winter stock water? <br />Winter stock water would probably not be affected. <br />unless the plan specifically included replacement <br />of winter water or proposed an alternate method of <br />delivery. Any solution to the salt-loading problem <br />would need to be generally acceptable to water <br />users and the State of Colorado. <br /> <br />Over what time period did the SCS calculate the <br />amount of salinity in the North Fork area? The SCS <br />salinity study began in 1976 and salinity readings <br />have continually been made since then. <br /> <br />Would the Forest Service be involved? The offices <br />representing both the Grand Mesa and Gunnison <br />National Forests have been contacted and made aware <br />of potential water users concerns relating to <br />salinity control and water supply sources. The <br />Forest Service has been invited to participate in <br />the planning process and Reclamation will contact <br />them for answers to questions about their areas. <br /> <br />Does the salt contribution remain the same <br />regardless of the amount of water in the canal <br />system? The less contact between water and the <br />inside of the canal. the less area there is for <br />seepage to occur. The salt in the North Fork area <br />is primarily gypsum which quickly attains <br />saturation concentration in the water. Therefore. <br />reducing seepage should have a direct effect on <br />cutting down total salt entering the river system. <br /> <br />Who would be responsible for the operation and <br />maintenance (O&M) of the system? Before a plan can <br />be implemented. contracts between the water users <br />and the Federal government would have to be <br />executed, requiring rights-of-way for construction <br /> <br />o Plugging saline well flows <br />o Collecting and evaporating saline well flows <br />o Combining the above alternatives <br /> <br />and stating the water users would operate and <br />maintain the new system and allowing periodic <br />inspection of the system to insure salinity control <br />effectiveness. Any O&M costs incurred beyond <br />normally expected timely and thorough O&M would be <br />borne by the Federal government based on recent <br />legislation. <br /> <br />Can salt come from sources other than Mancos Shale? <br />Yes. most soils have dissolvable solids of varying <br />amounts. usually much less than the Mancos Shale. <br />Also. some flowing wells in the study area may be <br />bringing up salts from deeper geologic formations. <br /> <br />Would the project receive Federal funds and when? If <br />a viable salt control plan can be found, then a <br />planning report would be written and sent to <br />Washington for authorization and funding. At this <br />time, assuming no unexpected delays. it would take <br />about 3 years for the study and the planning report <br />to be prepared. Review processes and public <br />hearings for this report would add another 2 years <br />or more before the report is submitted to Congress <br />for authorization for construction. <br /> <br />What types of irrigation cause most salinity? Bill <br />Brown of the SCS office in Delta says it is not the <br />irrigation type but the management of it that is <br />crucial to salt control. <br /> <br />Would piping from the main ditch provide pressure <br />for sprinklers and reduce salinity? Such a system <br />will surely be looked at. and if found to be <br />workable. acceptable. and cost effective, could be <br />recommended for implementation. <br /> <br />How many landowners would be required to participate <br />to improve a particular lateral? If agreements ar~ <br />made on individual laterals within a project area, <br />all water users on the lateral would have to agree <br />to provide rights-of-way during construction and to <br />operate and maintain the system and to allow <br />inspection. For improving a single lateral not <br />covered under Reclamation's study. the appropriate <br />agencies to contact would be the Agricultural <br />Stabilization and Conservation Service and SCS. <br /> <br />cC' ~~;7 <br />