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<br />Basin that could be cost-effectively lined. Implementation of the Reclamation portion of this unit <br />would reduce the salt load to the Colorado River by an estimated 21,000 to 30,000 tons/yr. The <br />final planning report/environmental impact statement (BIS) on the unit was med with the EPA and <br />released to the public in 1987. (Implementation of this portion would be under the new program). <br /> <br />USDA published the Uinta Basin Salinity plan in 1970 and in 1987 prepared a supplement <br />to include lateral systems. In 1991 the Uinta Basin Unit was expanded to include treatment on <br />~ adjacent irrigated land. The plan identifies a salt load reduction goal of 106,800 tons. The USDA <br />6 program includes the installation of on-farm salinity reduction practices and lining or piping lateral <br />c..o systems. The major emphasis is conversion of inefficient surface irrigation to sprinkler systems. <br />Implementation was initiated in 1980 under existing USDA authorities, and in 1987 funding <br />became available from the Colorado River salinity control program. <br /> <br />As of September 30, 1995, a total of 1,885 annual ACP/long-term agreements and CRSC <br />contracts have been signed with farmers. Also 280 farmers, who are ready to implement salinity <br />reduction and wildlife habitat measures, have submitted applications for salinity control contracts. <br />However, contracts can be prepared and signed with only a limited number of these farmers each <br />year because of inadequate USDA funding. Over 793 miles of underground pipelines and <br />concrete lined ditches have been installed and 2,500 acres of land leveled. Over 1,630 sprinkler <br />systems have been installed on 84,500 acres and approximately 254 surface systems have been <br />improved on 13,300 acres. Irrigation water management is being applied on 70,400 acres. The <br />total salt load reduction achieved through September 30, 1995, is 83,600 tons/yr. <br /> <br />Lowp.r Gunnison Bavin (Reclamation aM USDA!: The Lower Gunnison Basin Unit is <br />located in west-central Colorado. An estimated 360,000 tons of salt are contributed annually to <br />the Colorado River. Public Law 98-569, the 1984 Act, authorized portions of the unit for <br />construction by Reclamation. Construction of the winter water portion of the unit is designed to <br />eliminate ditch seepage during the non-irrigation season by providing a piped delivery system for <br />livestock water. This component will be completed in 1996 and will reduce salinity by 41,380 <br />tons per year. Studies on the ways to reduce the cost of the canal and lateral lining portion of the <br />project have been completed. They would reduce salinity by an additional 64,000 tons per year. <br /> <br />The Lower Gunnison Basin USDA plan, updated in 1994, identifies a salt load reduction <br />goal of 166,000 tons. The USDA program includes the application of on-farm salinity reduction <br />practices on 169,000 irrigated acres and improving .off-farm irrigation laterals. Implementation <br />was initiated in 1988. <br /> <br />As of September 30, 1995, 267 salinity contracts have been signed with participants. In <br />addition 440 farmers have submitted applications for salinity control contracts, but contracts can <br />be prepared and signed with only a limited number of these farmers each year because of <br />inadequate USDA salinity control program funds. Farmers have installed over 210 miles of <br />pipelines and concrete lined ditches. Fifty-seven sprinkler systems have been installed, 1,507 <br />acres of land leveled and 431 surface systems improved. A salt load reduction of 26,600 tons/yr <br />has been accomplished through September 30, 1995. <br /> <br />4-4 <br />