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SUMMARY (Continued) In September 1979, public participants recommended a plan to concrete line as much of the canal and lateral system in the Uncompahgre Valley as can be justified under the salinity reduction objective. Where field conditions warrant, flexible lining would be considered if concrete lining is determined to be technically infeasible. The recommended plan will be revised as the feasibility study progresses. The recommended plan calls for lining a total of about 254 miles of canals and laterals, which would reduce the salinity at Imperial Dam by about 12.2 mg/L. A fish and wildlife coordination report is being prepared, and a mitigation plan to compensate for the loss of wildlife habitat due to the canal and lateral lining program has been prepared. The mitigation plan anticipates purchase of 2,100 acres of riparian habitat along the Uncompahgre River to replace lost habitat. Mitigation costs are estimated at $4,750,000. Total construction costs are estimated at $136.7 million on the basis of January 1981 prices, This results in a cost-effectiveness of about $846,000 for each mg/L of salinity reduction at Imperial Dam. Following transmittal of the feasibility report to Congress and authorization of the unit for construction, advance planning will begin. Costs and designs will be refined and operation and maintenance contracts will be negotiated and signed with the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association. Assuming Congress authorizes construction of the unit 1n 1984, construction of the unit is expected to begin in 1987. Monitoring of system salt loads would continue throughout advance planning and during and after construction to determine effectiveness of the Plato 1008 11