7313

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7313
• Author: Upper Colorado River Commission.
• Title: Forty-Second Annual Report of the Upper Colorado River Commission
• USFW Year: 1990.
• USFW - Doc Type: Colorado River Storage Project and Participating Projects.
• Copyright Material: NO

B. COLORADO RIVER WATER QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Section 203 of Title II of Public Law 93-320 authorized and directed
the Secretary of the Interior to expedite completion of the planning reports
on twelve units. The Secretary of Agriculture was directed to cooperate
in the planning and construction of on-farm system measures. Public Law
98-569 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an on-farm
voluntary cooperative salinity control program with landowners.

1. UINTAH BASIN UNIT

This unit would reduce salinity by 21,000 to 30,000 tons per year by
improving 56 miles of canals and laterals in the Uinta Basin. Planning on
this unit was essentially completed with the filing of the Planning Report/
Final Environmental Statement in 1987. Some limited opportunities have
been explored to improve the effectiveness of the unit. These studies
recommend including 3.2 miles of the My ton Townsite Canal in the canai-
lining program. Land retirement will be assessed in an appraisal study in
Fiscal Year 1991.

The request for construction authorization of the Uintah Basin Unit
was temporarily suspended in 1987 due to constraints placed on
Reclamation's construction budget. In 1989, Reclamation requested the
Secretary of the Interior to reconsider seeking authorization for this unit.
The Department of the Interior has forwarded this request to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for recommendations.

The USDA program has been underway in the Uinta Basin since 1980
when implementation was initiated under existing USDA authorities.
Funding under the USDA salinity control program began in 1987. Since
that time, nearly 300 participants have signed salinity control contracts.
As of September 30, 1990, 689 sprinkler systems have been installed on
56,000 acres. In addition, 487 miles of pipeline have been installed to
reduce seepage from earthen laterals and on-farm ditches. Irrigation water
management is being applied on 49,000 acres. Participants are also in-
stalling wildlife habitat practices. The annual salt-load reduction achieved
since the program started is 45,000 tons.

2. BIG SANDY RIVER UNIT
Funding for salinity control contracts has been available in the Big Sandy
River area for three years. As of September 30, 1990 thirteen contracts
have been signed by farmers. Participants have instalkd eleven low-pres-

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