WSP01564

• File Number: 8273.600
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agency Reports - USDA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1991
• Title: Colorado SCS Salinity Projects - Part 1 of 3 - General info and The Grand Valley Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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OBJECTIVES FOR THE GRAND VALLEY UNIT ARE:

(1)

To reduce deep percolation from irrigated fields by 8,000 acre-
feet, reduce seepage from onfarm earth~n ditches by 14,000 acre-
feet, and reduce seepage from off-farmiearthen laterals by 6,600
acre-feet annually.

(2 )

To reduce salt loading from deep percolation by 50,000 tons, from
onfarm ditch seepage by 80,000 tons, and from off-farm lateral
seepage by 33,000 tons, for a total reduction of 163,000 tons
annually.

(3)

To minimize the effect of salinity control practices on wetland
and wildlife habitat by identifying practices and opportunities
that will reduce adverse impacts and replace wildlife values
foregone.

PLANNING ACTIVITIES

Onfarm

The Grand Valley received some assistance for the planning
and application of practices during the years (1979-87)
through the Agricultural Conservation program (ACP) of the USDA
Agricultural stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and the
conservation operations program of the Soil Conservation Service
(SCS). The following information shows the present workload: Number
of active contracts - 176; number of completed plans awaiting funding -
8; number of applications awaiting planning - 155. The next sign-up
period is scheduled for October, 1991.. It is' anticipated that we will
receive an additional 140 requests for contracts during the 30 day sign
-up period.
several contracts will exceed the COC approval authority, and will be
submitted to DASCO for approval.

Special Consideration

Wetland development and wildlife habitat improvement are rece~v~ng
special consideration through SCS and ASCS programs. Minority, female,
and limited resource farmers, also, receive equitabie assistance.
An analysis of approved CRSC contracts has shown that assistance is being
provided to all land owners equitably. To date, the following
contracts have been approved.

PERCENT OF NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
STATUS POPULATION CONTRACTS CONTRACTS
Minority 1..1 4 2.2
Female 3.5 18 9.9
Non-minoritv 95.4 159 87.9
TOTALS 100.0 181 100.0

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