C150204 Application

• Applicant: Colorado State University
• Fiscal Year ‎(i.e. 2008)‎: 2005
• Project Name: Drainage System Rehabilitation in the Arkansas Valley
• CWCB Section: Finance
• Contract/PO #: C150204
• Grants - Doc Type: Application

USDA United States Natural Resources EcologicaUSoil Sciences
Department of Conservation 318 Lacey
Agriculture Service La Junta, CO 81050-2039
[phone] (COM)
[phone] (FAX)
v-mail: [phone] Box 6251455
e-mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail]
File Code: 440
July 22, 2004
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Suite 721
Denver, CO
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This letter is to confirm our support for the proposed research project entitled "Assessment of the
Potential for Drainage District Infrastructure Rehabilitation in the Lower Arkansas Valley,
Colorado." With the problems associated with rising water tables throughout the Arkansas River
Basin, we feel that project results will provide significant advancements in shallow water table and
salinity management strategies. We are highly confident that with input from the local farm and
technical community the objectives of the project, as proposed will be achieved and suitable
solutions can be developed to address these resource problems that threaten the sustainability of
the irrigated ecosystem.
Through Colorado State University and the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station it is very
fortunate that several principal investigators have chosen to focus considerable resources in
addressing shallow water table and salinization problems with the initiation of several projects. The
results of these projects have successfully identified the extent and severity of the problems and
suggested several alternative remediation strategies in mitigating the effects. A network of effective,
properly operated and maintained drainage systems is one of the technical cornerstones of these
strategies, focused on, but not limited to the old existing drainage systems. To this end, the approach
as proposed, has been well thought out and considers what we think will lead to accomplishing the
primary goal considering two elements. First, the "revitalization" of the institutional framework of
the approximately 25 statutory drainage districts, and second, a decision support mechanism for the
drainage entities to make informed decisions.
Farmers and ranchers in southeast Colorado face numerous challenges. Because the conditions
that farmers and ranchers must operate under can change rapidly, it is important to supply
relevant information and advanced technologies that are adapted to the needs of irrigated
agriculture in southeast Colorado. We are confident that this cooperative research will provide
sufficient benefi to help maintain an economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture
in th ans. f alley of lorado.
. Loren gland, PhD
/Assistant ' rea Conservationist-Programs and Water Resources
The Natural Resources Conservation Service works hand-in-hand with
the American people to conserve natural resources on private lands AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
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