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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I changes in land use that will ultimately impact the water requirements of the region. Recognizing that land use is a fundamental element of any water requirement analysis, this Chapter identifies current and projected land uses for the Imperial Valley. For the purpose of this study, the lands currently considered to be eligible to receive water will be the focus of analysis. lII.A.l Current Agricultural Land Use Agriculture is the predominant land use in the Imperial Valley. A mild climate, year-round growing season, good soils, and a gently sloped topography combine with the ready availability of Colorado River water to make the Imperial Valley one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Over the past eight years (1987-1994), 480,000 to 490,000 acres of land (including reclaimed and fallowed land) within the District have been devoted to farming annually, with approximately 450,000 to 470,000 acres ofland actually in cultivation each year. Table III.A.l-l presents the farmed acreage totals from 1987 to 1994. Table III.A.I-2 further delineates these acreage totals by crop category. Total farmable acres have remained fairly constant over the past eight years while total net acres cropped have exhibited minor upward and downward fluctuations. Cropping patterns have also remained fairly constant with yearly variations in acreage for crops occurring as a result of the agricultural producer's response to market price fluctuations, production cost factors, and insect pressures. More than 120 types of crops are currently grown in the District. In terms of acreage, the major crops are alfalfa, sudan, wheat, sugar beets, lettuce, melons, and carrots. In 1994, these seven crops were grown on approximately 79 percent of the total acres of farmed land. Draft: Subject To Revision 12/21/95 9