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Summary Recommendations This Supplement to the Feasibility Report recommends and provides supporting documentation for the construction of the irrigation lateral portions as well as some small canal segments of the five deferred components of the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit of the Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program. The lateral systems and some segments of the South, Loutzenhizer, Selig, East, and Garnet Canals on the east side of the Uncompahgre River exhibit a combined annual cost of $70 (cost- effectiveness value) for each I-ton reduction in salt loading to the Colorado River system. 1 I I I ,) I ,I 1 j I ~ ,I I J I Major features of the recommendation include the installation of up to 188 miles of buried pipe to replace 195 miles of existing open earth laterals and 7 miles of small canaJs. The construction program would be accomplished by the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association through a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. Reclamation would develop designs and specifications for the replacement system and would also provide limited inspection and construction administration oversite. In addition, a habitat replacement plan would be implemented to mitigate the wildlife and wetland losses associated with the reduced seepage from the existing lateral and canal systems. Initiation of construction activities is recommended to coincide with the completion of the LGBU Winter Water Replacement Program. Based on documentation provided in this report, construction of the East Side Laterals is the next logical step to control this significant source of salinity to the Colorado River. The East Side Laterals would prevent approximately 64,000 tons of salt from entering the river system each year and would help maintain the numeric targets for water quality in the lower basin. 8-8