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.~ "'::) .c.:;:) 'O'-j February 1991 General Information Reconstruction of East End Government Highline Canal EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION The Bureau of Reclamation. (Reclamation) would like to carry out the reconstruction of the East End Government Highline Canal with a minimum of disruptions and problems to you. Therefore, we have prepared the following information which hopefully will answer many of your questions and concerns. As the United States (U.S.) acquires the necessary land (fee and rights-of- way) and the construction process goes forward, Reclamation will periodically prepare and mail to each landowner an up-dated information bulletin. If you have questions, or need more information, please contact Ms. Jone Wright in the Grand Junction Projects Office at (303) 248-0636 and we will have an appropriate representative follow-up with you. HISTORY OF RECLAMATION'S INVOLVEMENT The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-320) authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to reconstruct the Government Highline Canal and associated laterals in the Grand Valley to reduce salt loading to the Colorado River. Before initiation of salinity control activities, the entire Grand Valley contributed an average of 580,000 tons of salt annually to the Colorado River. Most of the salt was leached from the soil and underlying marine shale by water delivery system losses and deep percolation from over- irrigation in agricultural areas. Implementing the plan will result in a reduction in salt loading to the Colorado River of about 161,400 tons annually. Construction costs for both stages are estimated at about $265 million, based on October 1991 appraisal-level prices. The Government Highline Canal and associated laterals were originally constructed during 1912-1917. Under the 1974 authorization, work on lining the Government Highline Canal and placing the laterals in pipe began in the Lorna area in 1980. This work has been progressing steadily and, in the spring of 1992, Reclamation is scheduled to initiate reconstruction activities on the East End Government Highline Canal. The canal reach extends approximately 11 miles from the tunnel outlet near Palisade to Indian Wash near Grand Junction. RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES Reconstruction of the Government Highline Canal in the east end of the Grand Valley will involve lining the canal with a flexible PVC membrane, and covering the lining with 18 inches of select material. CONSTRUCTION PERIOD Reconstruction is tentatively scheduled to begin around May 1992. The work will be carried out so that it won't interfere with the delivery of irrigation water. The work should take around 3 years and is expected to be completed in the spring of 1995.