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<br />C'J <br />('t") <br />t'- <br />(...=;; <br />o <br />C.J <br /> <br />CHAPTER I <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Previous Investigations <br /> <br />~l~' <br /> <br />The Grand Valley was included as part of a water quality study of the en- <br />tire Colorado River System by the Federal Water Pollution Control Administra- <br />tion from 1963. to 1970. The results of this study were published in 1971 in <br />a report by the Environmental Protection Agency entitled Mineral Quality Prob- <br />lems in the Colorado River Basin. The salinity control program was initiated <br />by Chapter IV of the Secretary's report of 1972. A final erNironmental state- <br />ment for the Colorado River Water Quality Improvement ProgroID was published in <br />May 1977 by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Soil Conservation Service, in <br />support of Public Law 93-320, Title II. <br /> <br />A feasibility study in the Grand Valley was initiated in Fiscal Year 1972 <br />to determine what salt-loading reductions could be achieved by reducing the <br />seepage losses in the conveyance systems. The various studies included deter- <br />mination of irrigated acreage; canal and lateral sizing data; determination of <br />the location, capacity, and condition of present canal and lateral structures; <br />computations of construction material quantities; and estimates of expected <br />costs and salt load reduction. <br /> <br />Based on these preliminary studies the unit was authorized in 1974 and is <br />being developed in stages. The Bureau of Reclamation began ,:onstruction in a <br />portion of the valley where plans and designs were complete, where sufficient <br />data were available to assess the impacts of the initial development while in- <br />vestigations and planning continued on the rest of the unit, and where net en- <br />vironmental impacts were not significant. Stage One covers approximately 10 <br />percent of the unit area and was designed to provide informal:ion that fully <br />analyzes the effectiveness and impacts of the proposed canal and lateral <br />lining plan. Results will be incorporated into this effort as a part of the <br />planning prior to construction of the rest of the unit. <br /> <br />Preliminary environmental studies have been conducted on the unit and a <br />negative determination of environmental impact for Stage One was made by the <br />Regional Director in June 1978 and concurred with by the ComnLissioner in July <br />1978. A definite plan report for Stage One has been completed and approved. <br />The operation and maintenance contract for the Stage One area, between the <br />United States and Grand Valley Water Users Association, was signed March 11, <br />1980. <br /> <br />Current Activities <br /> <br />The Grand Valley Field Station has been completed and construction of <br />Stage One is in progress. Concrete lining, structure rehabilitation, and <br />cross-drainage facilities along 6.8 miles of the Government H:ighline Canal <br />in Stage One are complete. A contract for construction of pipe laterals for <br />Stage One was awarded in September 1981. This action will consolidate 13 <br />existing open laterals totaling about 34.2 miles into 12 pipe systems total- <br />ing about 29 miles. <br /> <br />6 <br />