WSP00020

• File Number: 8276.130
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/10/1985
• Title: Formal Organizations for Operation of Laterals In the Grand Valley Unit of the Colorado Basin Salinity Control Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Discussions by representatives of the Bureau with water users

in various Laterals have indicated a preference t:hat the Laterals

be operated and maintained by the smallest organization possible,

by one with close local control. Many of the users contacted have

stated that they would oppose being included within an entity

having control over Laterals other than their own. Others would

oppose being included in an organization other than one having

control over Laterals within a particular geographical area. It

has been reported to us that little or no support: has been found

for an entity which would have jurisdiction over all of the

Laterals within the Grand Valley Unit. 3 On the other hand, the

Secretary would undoubtedly find it most convenient to have as few

organizations as possible with which to contract for construction,

operation and maintenance of the Lateral system.

V. EXISTING CANAL COMPANIES

In investigating Proposed Organizations, we ~~ave considered

the entities owning and/or operating the Subject Canals because

3 Richard Bartholomay (referred to in further footnotes as
"Bartholomay"), CSU Cooperative Extension Servic'=, Extension
Agent-Irrigation, has been under contract with the Bureau to
identify the individual Lateral owners and confer with them
concerning the Grand Valley Unit. In discharging these duties
Bartholomay has talked with many water users from Laterals and has
discussed with us his impressions of the desires as well as the
concerns of the users arising from the proposed project. From his
investigations, Bartholomay is of the opinion that the smaller the
area to be included in a particular Proposed Organization and the
closer the local control, the better will be the chances of
effecting the organization of the lateral owners on a voluntary
basis.

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