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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0577

The sponsors reviewed the preauthorization report in March 1994 and
concurred with the report. However, the sponsors requested cost share
on management practices. NRCS agreed to pursue cost sharing for
management practices. The preauthorization report was transmitted to
the West National Technical Center in Portland for technical review in
April 1994. A review by the West National Technical Center was
completed on June 30, 1994. Comments were incorporated, and on July
28, 1994, the SCD boards reviewed WNTC comments on the Preauthorization
Plan, and agreed to continue their support of the plan even though cost
sharing for management practices were not approved.

The SCD boards have met regularly and provided positive leadership to
the furthering of conservation and improvement of the watershed.
Ongoing water quality, quantity and management practices are being
installed by a combination of landowner, district and state funds. The
two district boards cooperated in getting a 319 demonstration project,
approved in February 1994, to show the value and monitor the effects of
surge irrigation and irrigation water management on 6 fields in the
watershed area.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board also awarded the Bent SCD a grant
to demonstrate new irrigation technology and monitor the results in
January 1994 on 10 farms.

Incorporation of the comments and sponsor support was received in
August 1994. Federal approval and authorization for planning
assistance for the watershed was received on September 26, 1994.
A meeting was held in December 1994 with field and area staffs, the
State Water Resources Planning staff, and sponsors to review the Plan
of Work and develop assignments to complete the watershed plan.

During January 1995, a geologic reconnaissance and reference search and
report was developed.

The Watershed Plan was developed and reviewed with the sponsors at
their board meetings in May, 1995. They requested that NRCS have a
public meeting to present the plan to all interested publics. On June
1, 1995, a public meeting was held in Lamar, CO. It was the consensus
of those present to move forward into inter-agency review.

A request was made to the Watershed Planning and Restoration Division
on August 7,1995 to include Polyacylamide as a cost-shared practice.
Approval was granted for this new technique on September 7,1995 and has
been incorporated into the plan.

The Interagency review was completed May 20, 1996. Comments were
incorporated into this plan. The FONSI was entered into the Federal
Register August 29th, 1996. No comments were received after
publishing.