WSP11669

• File Number: 8149.100
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - NRCS-Ft Lyon Canal Co Limestone Graveyard Creeks
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/1/1996
• Author: Bent Soil Conservati
• Title: Limestone-Graveyard Creeks Watershed Bent County Colorado Prowers County Colorado Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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0543

INTRODUCTION

The Plan was prepared under the authority of the Watershed Protection
and Flood Preve~tion Act, Public Law 83-566, as amended (126 USC
10011008), and in accordance with Section 102 (2) (c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, as ame~ded (42
U.S. C. 4321, et seq). Responsibility for compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act rests with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service.

This watershed plan describes the plan formulation process, discloses
expected project impacts, and provides the basis for authorizing
federal assistance for implementation under the Public Law 566 Program.
There were no significant adverse environmental impacts ide~tified
during the scoping process. The sponsoring local organizations are
Bent Soil Conservation District (BSCD), Prowers Soil Conservation
District (PSCD), Fort Lyon Canal Company (FLCC), and the Colorado State
Soil Conservation Board (CSSCB).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) assisted the sponsors with the development of the plan.

This plan was prepared to document the findings of planning studies to
date as a PL-566 project. The report identifies problems, effects, and
alternatives which are being considered. It further explains, in some
detail, a Recommended Plan (RP), including its cost, benefits, and
environmentally adverse and beneficial effects. No significant adverse
environmental impact has been identified at this stage of the
environmental evaluation process. The U.S. Fish and wildlife Service
(F&WS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Colorado State nistoric
Preservation Officer (SHPO), and the Colorado Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) , and EPA have been and will continue to be contacted.

Purposes to be served by the project are agricultural water management
and watershed protection. Specifically, this project has been
formulated to improve both surface and groundwater quality, reduce
irrigation induced erosion to acceptable levels, and more effectively
use available water. Irrigation induced erosion will be reduced in the
treatment area on 8,800 acres now eroding at an average of eight times
the maximum rate necessary to maintain the productive capacity of the
soil resource. Poor water quality from heavy metals and salts in wells
and drains will be improved in the watershed as well as in the Arkansas
River. Better irrigation water application will occur on 26,700 Acres.
The Recommended Plan (RP) includes ditch lining, pipe lines,
multipurpose ponds, water control structures, appurtenant structures,
leveling, Irrigation Water Management (IWM) , nutrient and pest
management, wetland mitigation practices and conservation tillage. The
estimated cost of the Recommended Plan alternative is $5,326,000 with
$3,056,500 in PL-566 costs.

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