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CURRENT EVENTS IN THE FfA~' tAlE AUG 1 4 1987 ... grolume 1, No.2 N COLORADO WATFR CUNSERVATION POARD o Purpose of newsletter - to provide you facts about proposed legislation August 1987 Why legislative changes are necessary The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, which authorized the construction of the Grand Valley (Salinity Control) Unit, requires a non- Federal entity such as our districts to operate and maintain the improved canals and laterals, The improvements planned for the Grand Valley will consist of lining some canals, placing unimproved laterals into pipe, or, in some circumstances, concrete-lining existing ditches. This will reduce seepage that causes salt to leach into the ground water and ultimately into the Colorado River. The act provides that non-Federal entities will be reimbursed for the operation and maintenance (O&M) costs they incur that exceed the base O&M cost. Base O&M is defined as the cost to operate and maintain the irrigation system at a standard that is mutually acceptable to both Reclamation and the districts. These base O&M costs will be identified during the planning process and negotiated as a part of the long-term salinity control contract. This contract will be executed before lateral improvements are made. Our board of directors would like to provide you with some facts about proposed State legislative changes regarding the powers and authorities of irrigation districts that are involved in the Federal Government's salinity control program. These changes are needed so that our districts can qualify as non-Federal entities which could administer private lateral improvements. Since the proposed legislation affects both districts, we are sending this newsletter jointly.. As we mentioned in our last newsletters, we feel that improvements to our distribution system are beneficial, providing it does not cost our water users more than it has historically. In the meantime . . . As mentioned in the last newsletters from our individual boards, each board is currently working with the Bureau of Reclamation under terms of a cooperati ve agreement. Under these agreements, Reclamation is reimbursing our districts for the costs incurred in the preliminary planning phases leading to a long-term salinity control contract. Some legislative changes and your vote of approval will be required to permit each district to enter into a long-term contract with Reclamation. These long-term contracts will be for the operation and maintenance of the salinity control improvements. In the Grand Valley, more than 10,000 individuals own about 800 laterals which could potentially be improved. Very few of the 800 laterals are organized into legal entities. However, Reclamation needs to work with as few entities as possible hecause it is unmanageable to individually contract with 10,000 different people for the operation and maintenance of 800 laterals. ~ . j" ~