The State of Colorado's Watersheds Report 2005

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local watershed reports G RAND VALLEY SELENIUM TASK FORCE Background and Mission The Grand Valley Selenium Task Force (GVSTF) was formed in early 2002 in response to the listing of the Colorado River main stem (and eventually the tributaries) for elevated selenium concentrations. The mission of the GVSTF is to evaluate, assess and actively address elevated selenium and other adverse water quality issues while maintaining the area's economic viability, quality of life, and agricultural heritage. Accomplishments The GVSTF continues to explore remediation alternatives for impaired tributaries in the Grand Valley. A draft Tributaries Study report which explores remediation alternatives has been completed by the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), an important Task Force member, and the GVSTF. The report should be available sometime in the fall of 2005. The GVSTF continues to explore funding options for a bench -scale study of a passive selenium bioreactor to reduce selenium concentrations in affected tributaries. An application has been submitted to the USBR Science and Technology Program and has not been awarded yet. Salt crystals on top of Mancos shale The GVSTF is carrying out two characterization studies, a 319 NPS grant entitled "Grand Valley Selenium Assessment" and a Consolidated Funding Process EPA grant entitled "TMDL Development for a 303(d) listed stream in the Grand Valley: Persigo Wash." The purpose of the studies is to characterize selenium sources and loads in Grand Valley tributaries to support GVSTF selenium remediation planning and State TMDL development and implementation. In addition, the CDOW with help from USFWS have been characterizing stream ecology and fish populations in Grand Valley Tributaries. Lastly, the Mesa Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and US Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Colorado Salinity Control Forum are collecting water balance information from residential areas for comparison with water use from agricultural areas. This data collection will be the first step in understanding how land -use change and resulting water use changes affect salinity and selenium loading to the Colorado River. Joint Task Force Accomplishments Members of the Gunnison Basin & Grand Valley Selenium Task Forces (Selenium Task Forces) participated in a Congressional Staff Water Workshop The Selenium Task Forces work proactively and in a collaborative manner with our organized by the Colorado River Water Conservation District ( CRWCD) in April 2005. The staffs of the four offices of our Colorado delegation were briefed on basin -wide selenium issues, locally -led selenium control efforts, and funding concerns. Feedback was very positive. Members of the Selenium Task Forces also met with consultants to the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR). The CDWR was updated on upper basin selenium control efforts and the Task Force learned about selenium remediation alternatives for the Salton Sea. The meeting was very productive; both groups exchanged information regarding the similarities in needs and issues including reducing selenium loading to the Lower Gunnison and Colorado Rivers and reduction techniques to improve selenium concentrations. Looking Ahead The Task Forces continue to further our public education campaign regarding the importance of wise water use and its relation to improved water quality. The Task Forces estimate that significant reductions in selenium loading can be achieved through a concerted public education plan that results in greater water use efficiency. In 2006, the Selenium Task Forces hope to begin work on a regional water quality /quantity GIS project funded through the NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG). This application was sponsored by the CRWCD and has not yet been awarded. The Selenium Task Forces continue to utilize our website as an information and education resource tool, so please check back often for updates.