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<br />~ <br />(.I.) <br />co <br />~ <br /> <br />Replacement of wildlife habitat values continues <br />to receive high priority. To date, wetlands have <br />been developed by constructing shallow ponds <br />and potholes. Grass, trees, and shrubs have <br />been planted for wildlife habitat; fences have <br />been installed; and management plans have <br />been implemented for wildlife habitat <br />management. <br /> <br />Many information and education activities are <br />underway. Salinity tpurs were held, and <br />information bulletins were prepared on the <br />salinity control program. In addition, irrigation <br />pumps are being tested and recommendations <br />are being made for increasing efficiencies. <br /> <br />USDA prepared the Uinta Basin Unit Expansion <br />draft plan and EIS in 1991. The plan adds <br />treatment of an estimated 8,900 acres of the <br />20,800 acres of irrigated land not covered in the <br />existing unit. The EIS is scheduled to be <br />published in 1992. <br /> <br />Other Activities <br /> <br />USDA <br /> <br />USDA Agricultural Research Service continues <br />to provide valuable salinity research. Research <br />is conducted at the Snake River Conservation <br />Center in Kimberly, Idaho; the U.S. Salinity <br />Laboratory in Riverside, California; and in <br />Fort Collins, Colorado. <br /> <br />A significant technological breakthrough was <br />made in 1991 at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory. <br />The laboratory has developed and successfully <br />tested mobilized/automated systems for <br />measuring, inventorying, and monitoring soil <br />salinity in irrigated lands. Also, conceptuaV <br />modeling studies have been made to evaluate <br />various irrigation/drainage strategies to reduce <br />water pollution. This research shows that <br />intercepting, isolating, and reusing drainage <br />waters for irrigation will maximize the usability <br />of the total water supply and minimize drainage <br />disposal and water pollution problems. <br /> <br />In Utah, USDA agencies continue to cooperate <br />with BLM and other agencies to identify <br />salt-contributing rangelands and prepare plans <br /> <br />16 <br /> <br />for implementation. In Colorado, SCS is <br />cooperating with various State and Federal <br />agencies in developing a similar process. <br /> <br />USDA monitoring and evaluation (M&E) <br />activities are underway in the Grand Valley, <br />Uinta Basin, Big Sandy River, Lower Gunnison <br />Basin, McElmo Creek, and Moapa Valley Units. <br />As part ofthese activities, USDA is monitoring <br />the effects of the salinity control program on salt <br />load reductions, tracking the effects on wildlife <br />habitat, and monitoring the economic effects. <br />M&E activities have been conducted for about <br />7 years in the Grand Valley and Uinta Basin. <br />Annual reports were prepared for all units <br />except the Moapa Valley Unit, which is not yet <br />operational. These reports contain detailed <br />information obtained from field monitoring <br />specific sites to determine the effects on salt <br />loading and wildlife habitat, An interim <br />"Framework Plan for Monitoring and Evaluating <br />the Colorado River Salinity Control Program" <br />was released in 1991. This plan provides <br />guidance to achieve more uniformity in <br />monitoring and evaluating activities and <br />preparing annual reports. <br /> <br />BlM <br /> <br />The BLM Colorado River Basin States Assistant <br />Director, salinity manager, other agency <br />coordinators, and the Forum's Executive <br />Director met in April 1991 to discuss <br />accomplishments and future activities. The <br />parties developed a strategy to reduce salinity <br />discharges from public land. The elements of <br />the strategy include the following: <br /> <br />. Watersheds in the Colorado River Basin <br />will be ranked using an interagency team <br />(Phase I). <br /> <br />. To determine the watersheds with the best <br />potential for treatment, an interagency <br />multidisciplinary team will use Pacific <br />Southwest Interagency Committee <br />procedures to determine soil loss, sediment, <br />and potential treatments for salinity <br />control (Phase II). <br />