WSP00412

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/1/1982
• Author: USDA
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Final Environmental Impact Statement for Lower Gunnison Basin Unit - Montrose and Delta Counties CO and Uintah Basin Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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Plan One - Continuation of Ongoing Programs

This alternative plan assumes continuation of ongoing conservation
programs. Landowners in the valley are presently applying conservation land
treatment. Some treatment is applied by individuals on land under their control
while other practices are implemented by groups of landowners for mutual benefit.
Rates of implementation are influenced by the amount of funds available through
government cost share and technical assistance programs, the practices eligible
for government assistance, and the financial resources of landowners to install
irrigation improvements. Application of soil and water conservation measures
is expected to continue wbether or not an accelerated program for salinity
control is fortbcoming.

Annual funding of the Agricultural Conservation Program practices througb the
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, for federal cost share
assistance in the valley during the past fe~ years, has averaged about $125,000.
The most common conservation practices installed under that level of funding
are ditch lining or pipelines, land leveling, and some closed drains. The
quantities and cost of conservation practices expected to be installed during
the next 10 years, assuming continuation of present levels of funding and cost
share rates, are tabulated below;

Practice Unit Quantity Estimated Cost
Ditch Lining Mi 58,0 S 1,824,000
Pipeline Hi 4,5 136,000
Land Leveling Ac 600,0 212,000
Closed Drains Hi 2,5 128,000
Total Cost S 2,300,000

Presently, the salt loading from about 18 percent of the irrigated area is not
significant. Continuation of the ongoing program is expected to bring another
2 percent of the area ~ithin acceptable limits duriug the next ten years.

Lnder Alternative Plan One a maximum salt load reduction of 10,000 tons per
year, a reduction of less than 3 percent, can be attained. Implementation
under the ongoing program could impact on 370 acres of ~etland. or 1 percent
of wetlands in Lower Gunnison Vnit.

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