WSP12263

• File Number: 8272.500
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Colo Dept of Public Health - WQCC and WQCD
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1990
• Author: WQCD
• Title: Colorado Nonpoint Source Management Program - Prepared to Fulfill the Requirements of Section 319 of the Clean Water Act
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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In determining priorities for agricultural management programs three factors
must be considered: implementability of proposed projects, water quality
benefits, and'education and research needs. A combination of specific
on-ground improvements and statewide programmatic needs should be the result
of a balanced nonpoint program.

Priorities for the state management program for agriculture and silviculture
include priorities for implementation and technical assistance projects,
statewide educational needs, and groundwater needs. A list of priority
watersheds for demonstration projects is found on pages 40 thru 47. The
statewide and groundwater' priorities are listed below,.

statewide program needs include a number of public education and informatio~,
programs, and coordination of governmental entities to achieve nonpoint source
goals. ongoing educational and information efforts in the areas of ,streambank
erosion, irrigation, nutrient and pesticide management are crucial in the area
of agriculture. Other important programs include a statewide information
mechanism (a newsletter) which will inform the public of not only
'agricultural, but a full range of nonpoint source program information.
Additionally, technology transfer through a number of , media, will be very
important as the results of various demonstrations, both local and national
are obtained.

As stated earlier groundwater impacts attributable to nonpoint sources are
largely unknown in Colorado. In an attempt to gain more knowledge about
groundwater quality in Colorado the Nonpoint Source Task Force formed a
groundwater study group. This group is comprised of federal, state and local
governmental agencies involved in groundwater activities, and other interested
public interest groups. '

Priorities for the study group include,

l) establishing a computerized statewide groundwater data base;

2) establishing protocols for groundwater monitoring;

3) coordinating efforts of agencies to gain groundwater quality
information;

4) conduc~ groundwater monitoring throughout Colorado;

Groundwater monitoring is currently being conducted by a number of agencies.
Nonpoint source funding has been utilized to sample wells in the San Luis
Valley. Groundwater monitoring efforts remain a high priority for the
agriculture nonpoint source efforts in Colorado.

Coordination of various governmental agencies involved in agriculture and
silviculture activities is crucial to ensuring a well developed nonpoirit
source program. Therefore, it is a priority that these agencies work together
to achieve water quality goals. Examples of such cooperation include the USDA
(SCS/CE) water quality plan, the efforts of the state ASCS Conservation Review
Group, and the state groundwater study group. The continuation of these
groups and their efforts are supported by this management program.
Additionally, the milestones listed in the next section of this document
further these goals.

Page 36

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