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<br />C> <br />r-... <br />o <br />o <br />C"":l <br />'::"1 <br /> <br />SUMMARY (Continued) <br /> <br />Agricultural practices <br /> <br />Under the no-action alternative, the operation of the present canals <br />and laterals and drainage systems would remain about the same as at pres- <br />ent. Some on-farm irrigation systems would be improved through the U.S. <br />Department of Agriculture salinity control programs. Land leveling and <br />field enlargement would continue, causing more modern farming equipment <br />and irrigation practices to be used. <br /> <br />Either alternative A or B would complement the on-farm program of <br />the U.S. Department of Agriculture by providing a reliable and manageable <br />irrigation water delivery system. The improved systems would have the <br />potential to increase crop production and/or net returns, but this in- <br />crease has not been quantified. Design, sizing, and layout of laterals <br />will be made in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service to assure <br />compatibility with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on-farm improve- <br />ments. <br /> <br />Operation of irrigation systems <br /> <br />Under the no-action alternative, the operation of canals and lat- <br />erals in the Grand Valley would be expected to continue as at present; <br />however, by developing either alternative A or B, existing systems would <br />require major changes in their operation, maintenance, and replacement <br />practices. To further ensure salinity benefits as well as the integrity <br />of the system, additional operation, maintenance, and replacement costs <br />would be incurred. <br /> <br />Soils <br /> <br />No significant change in sailor erosion conditions is anticipated <br />under the no-action alternative. <br /> <br />Seepage reduction as a result of canal and lateral improvements <br />under alternative A or B would lower water tables and subsequently reduce <br />the upward capillary movement of salt carrying water, thus decreasing <br />salt deposits at the land surface in some areas and increasing crop <br />growth. Properly applied irrigation water could then contain the salt <br />below the root zone, resulting in better crop growth in the long term. <br />The actual improvement in crop growth cannot be quantified because of <br />many variations in drainage conditions, soil types, and irrigation prac- <br />ti ces . <br /> <br />During construction of either alternative A or B, erosion would be <br />a problem when vegetation was cleared and soils were exposed to wind and <br />water. Construction material sites along washes could constitute special <br />problem areas if the channels of the washes were disturbed; however, <br />these sites would be developed with buffer zones along the washes to <br />alleviate this problem. <br /> <br />S-5 <br />