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<br />13 <br /> <br />l\:) <br />c.) <br />~ irrigation systems, are being studied. Minimum tillage practices, if <br />~ developed, could result in considerable energy savings in the valley and <br />other similar irrigated areas in the Colorado River Basin. <br /> <br />In a study supported by the Snake River Conservation Research Center, CSU has <br />performed an eva~uation of surface irrigation automation systems during the <br />past summer. The study has documented satisfactory and unsatisfactory <br />installations, details of farmer acceptance and use, and has brought to light <br />areas where additional research or improvement is necessary. The results of <br />this study, when fully evaluated, will provide direction for near term <br />research efforts in automation by SEA. In a companion study, components of <br />salt and water balance have been measured on fields which have received <br />improvement in the current USDA program. This study is providing initial <br />data from which benefits of the onfarm improvement prcgram can be evaluated. <br /> <br />UINTAH BASIN UNIT - UTAH <br /> <br />SCS has increased staffing in the field from 5 to 16 people (including a <br />biologist on IPA from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to provide technical <br />assistance for planning, designing, installation, and followup for the <br />irrigation improvements. <br /> <br />Comments from the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council <br />members on the USDA Salinity Report were answered. An addendum has been <br />prepared to incorporate changes to the Report. The addendum will be <br />distributed to all holders of the USDA Salinity Report in November 1980. A <br />supplement to the existing program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), <br />originally issued by WPRS/SCS in May 1977, is also being drafted. A scoping <br />meeting was held on September 9 to identify problems and their relative <br />significance. These problems and concerns will be addressed by the <br />supplement to the program EIS <br /> <br />A Plan of Study for lateral improvements in the Uintah Basin has been drafted <br />and is being reviewed. A map has been developed showing all canals and <br />laterals. The map shows over 1400 miles of canals and laterals. Data <br />collection has been done on several laterals in conjunction with group <br />planning. Also, a study is being conducted to correlate soils data with <br />water quality in the underground drains. <br /> <br />Implementation of onfarm measures was initiated in FY 1980. Some <br />119 farmers, covering 6,028 acres, were provided technical assistance by the <br />SCS. The ASCS offices in the two involved counties initiated cost sharing <br />for the installation of onfarm salinity control measures in 1980, through <br />ASCS's ACP, after the Congress recommended that $2 million be made available <br />for such work. <br /> <br />Practice cost sharing totaling $2,215,300 was requested by 53 farmers in <br />Duchesne County, of which 35 were through Long-Term Agreements (LTA's), the <br />balance through annual practices. The participating Duchesne County farmers <br />earned a total of $278,700 in FY 1980 for completed practices. In Uintah <br />County, ACP practices requiring cost shares totaling $1,682,000 were <br />requested by 66 farmers, of which 22 were through LTA's. A total of $399,400 <br />in cost sharing was earned by Uintah County farmers completing their <br />practices in FY 1980. <br />