WSP06119

• File Number: 8277.100
• Description: Salinity Projects Not Located in Colorado - Colorado River Salinity Control Forum
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 9/6/1996
• Title: Basinwide Salinity Control Program Proposals - Ranking
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

SEP-12-96 THU 02:33 PM BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

FAX NO, 801 524 3336

P.03

Date:

September 12,1996

To:

Mike Ward

From:

David Trueman, Program Manager

Subject:

Basinwide Salinity Control Program Proposals - Ranking

On September 6, 1996, the Basinwide Salinity Control Program ranking committee met to review
the proposals received in response to our February 1996 Request for Proposals (RFP). Copies of
the proposals wcre sent to the ranking committee by your memorandum dated August 22, 1996,
The committee consisted of three members from the Basin States: Tim Henley from the T .ower
Basin, Steve Millcr from the Upper B~in, and Jack Barnett (the Executive Director of the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum). Reclamation's members included: Lee Baxter
from Provo, Bob Norman from Grand Junction, Ken Beck from Durango, and David Trueman
from Salt Lake City.

The committee reviewed each of the projects. discussing the cost estimates, salinity control
estimates, and their associated risks.

Navajo Well Pluggina - The committee thought that costs might easily double for this proposal,
but even at $24 per ton, the well plugging would be very cost effective. The BLM has been
successful in conducting cost-effective well plugging and the Navajo's would likely be able to
duplicate this success. The proposal is a modest start (5-wells), Jf this small test proves
successful, there arc numerous other wells that the Navajo's might propose to work on. Thc
ranldn2 committee recommends that Reclamation proceed with ne!!otiations for the
implementation of !his orooosal.

Navajo (Off Farm) Irrigation Sy~1em Improvements - The proposal is to selectively improve
extremely leaky portions of the irrigation delivery system. But in Reclamation's report titled
Navajo Indian Reservarion, Hogback/Upper F'ruirlond Canal PQnding Tesr and Seepagtt Rate
DetennillQtiolls, dated August 1993, the summary states, "Test results indicate low rates of
seepage from the canals." On page 8 it states, ''The test results also indicate that seepage rates uo
not vary greatly from site to site." The USDA report titled Salinity Verification, Phase I Fi1ltll
Report for lhi: Navajo Nation Unit, dated July 1993 found that the cost of canal and lateral
improvements would be $91 per ton, Lateral and canal improvements have typically cost
Reclamation about $100 per ton or more. Without specific ponding test data showing the
presence of extremely leaky sections of canal and lateral~ which where to be lined, the ran1cin~
committee did not recommend Reclamation Droceed with ne20liations on this prooosal.
Additional study was recommended,

Navajo On-Farm Improvements - This proposal was based on the USDA's report titled,
Salinity Verification. Phase I Final Reportfor the Navajo Natioll Unit, dated July 1993. This
report was a preliminary (appraiSal) level study and recommended further study. The costs in the
USDA report seemed low in comparison to the USDA's actual cost of implementation of $44 per

GOGLiS