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<br />r-- <br />II) <br />c-.j <br />CJ <br /> <br />CHAPTER I <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />. , <br />'. ' <br /> <br />r~", <br />.- <br /> <br />Also, two environmental scoping sessions were held 1n December 1982 to <br /> <br />familiarize the public with planning studies on the remainder of the unit <br /> <br />and to obtain public participation in identifying environmental concerns <br /> <br />and issues associated with alternative plans. <br /> <br />SCS Studies <br /> <br />As previously discussed, the SCS is charged with responsibility for <br /> <br />conducting an on-farm improvement program which provides cost sharing, <br /> <br />technical assistance, and planning service for farmers to improve irri- <br /> <br />gat ion facilities and management practices. This program is expected to <br /> <br />reduce deep percolation of irrigation water and seepage from farm <br /> <br />di tches. <br /> <br />Improvements consist of lining some existing farm ditches and <br /> <br />placing others in pipe. Water measuring devices and flow control struc- <br /> <br />tures are being installed on the improved conveyance facilities. To <br /> <br />increase the efficiency of water use, land is being leveled and more <br /> <br />efficient irrigation systems are being implemented. <br /> <br />Plans are being proposed to private owners of dry grazing land north <br /> <br />of the Government Highline Canal aimed at reducing erosion and salt <br /> <br />contribution from those lands. <br /> <br />(Plans for improving wildlife habitat on <br /> <br />valley farms are also presented to farmers participating in the program.) <br /> <br />The SCS estimates that the on-farm improvements could result in a total <br /> <br /><< <br /> <br />reduction of about 130,000 tons annually in salt loading. This reduction <br /> <br />could be expected to lower the salinity of the Colorado River at Imperial <br /> <br />Dam by 13.1 mg/L. <br /> <br />Certain improvements in laterals for the off-farm water delivery <br /> <br />system need to be implemented concurrently to assure the proper operation <br /> <br />and the accrual of benefits from on-farm improvments. <br /> <br />4 <br />