WSP06806

• File Number: 8276.450
• Description: McElmo Creek Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 5/1/1982
• Title: Possible Improvements for Onfarm Irrigation Systems to Reduce Salinity
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

MAY 1982

(1) conduct such investigations and surveys as may be necessary to
prepare plans for works of improvement;

(2) prepare plans and estimates required for adequate engineering
evaluation;

(3) make allocations of costs to the various purposes to show the
basis of such allocations and to determine whether benefits exceed
costs;

(4) cooperate and enter into agreements with and to furnish financial
and other assistance to local organizations; provided, that, for
land treatment measures, Federal assistance cannot exceed the rate
of assistance for similar practices under existing national
programs;

.

(5) obtain the cooperation and assistance of other Federal agencies in
carrying out the purposes of the Act;

(6) enter into agreements with landowners for implementing changes in
cropping systems and land uses and for installation of soil and
water conservation practices and measures needed to conserve and
develop soil, water, woodland, wildlife, and recreation
resources.

The federal government provides technical help in planning and
installing project measures, pays the full cost for building flood
prevention measures, and shares the cost of other lOeasures. Major
obligations of local sponsors include acquiring land, easements, and
rights-of-way; awarding contracts for construction on private land or
electing to delegate contracting to SCS; sharing the construction cost
of measures if appropriate; and operating and maintaining the project
when completed.

Recommendations for Implementation

.

The implementation program needed to significantly reduce salt loading
requires accelerated application of conservation practices under on-going
USDA programs and the cooperative effort of federal, state and local
agencies, and private organizations. To achieve full potential reduction,
two conditions must be satisfied. First, recommended management practices
must be followed to a high degree of precision; and, second, all of the
recommended improvements in the irrigation system must be installed.

Nine actions have been identified as being essential to a successful
implementation program. These are:

1.

Authorize a continuing level of federal funding that provides incentive
for voluntary and continued participation of the farm operators to
achieve early completion of the recommended plan to reduce salinity.

2.

Establish a local salinity control coordinating committee and follow
implementation priorities established by that committee consistent with
objectives of the Salinity Control Program so those areas contributing
the highest salt load will be treated first.

VII-3

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