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<br /> <br />W <br />Cor! <br />c.o <br />~ <br /> <br />A plan is being developed for a second program to test <br />the development of a ground water detention basin system. <br />Each detention basin would be formed by a peripheral slurn' <br />trench/wall. If a detention basin system appears feasible <br />after 2 years monitoring, additional larger basins may be <br />built. The information learned from these programs would <br />then be used to develop a salinity control plan that will <br />have local support. <br />Uinta Basin (Reclamation and USDA). The Uinta Basin <br />Unit is in northeastern Utah and includes portions of <br />Duchesne and Uintah Counties and contributes about 450,000 <br />, tons of salt annually to the Colorado River system. Return <br />flows from 204,000 acres of irrigated land account for much <br />of the salt contribution. <br />Reclamation Phase I studies showed the only viable <br />~lternative in the study area is canal lining. About 56 <br />miles of the total 240 miles of canals and laterals in the <br />Uinta Basin j,,'ollld be lined. Project implementation would <br />reduce the salt load to the Colorado River by an estimated <br />21,000 to 30,000 tons per year and reduce canal seepage by <br />about 16,800 acre-feet per year, of which about 4,600 <br />acre-feet could be used to reduce irrigation shortages. <br />A planning report/draft environmental impact statement <br />on the unit was filed with Environmental Protection Agency <br />and released to the public on April 25, 1986. The final <br />document is scheduled to be completed and filed with the <br />EPA in 1987. <br />In Reclamation's Phase II studies, alternatives which <br />will be evaluated include: 1) a joint Reclamation-Soil <br />Conservation Service (SCS) program of lining canals and <br />laterals in conjunction with onfarm irrigation system <br />improvements, 2) lining canals and laterals not considered <br />under the phase J study, 3) eliminating canals by combining <br />them with other canals which would be lined, 4) <br />eliminating winter water now diverted through canal <br />systems, 5) retiring high salt contributing lands from <br />irrigation, and 6) using saline water for industrial <br />purposes. <br />In the Uinta Basin, over 80 percent of the USDA's <br />on farm and supportive off-farm salinity control improvement <br />accomplishments to date have been implemented through the <br />u~e of Long Term Agreements (LTA's) under the ACP. More <br />than ninety percent of the participants who entered into <br />LTA's have done so through Fooling arrangements whereby two <br />or more participants develop mutually beneficial plans. <br />Participants are assisted in implementing a balanced <br />improvement program of structural and manag~ment practices <br />that address salinity reduction and wildlife habitat <br />enhancement. <br />In calendar year 1986, 39 LTA's covering 2,885 Acres <br />were developed and 37 individual practices completed. <br />These LTA's and annual practices obligated $1,176,359. <br />During the year, sideroll and center pivot sprinkler <br /> <br />-33- <br /> <br />