WSP07597 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Soil e-rosion from the winds and storm runoff depletes the top soil, and reduces its plant growth capability. The sediments in storm runoff deposit over fields and pastures, and settle in irriga- tion canals. The economic loss to the area is a reduction in agri- cultural production, and the costs of cleaning irrigation canals and fields. (3) Institutional Issues. Same as Problem Area 1. (4) Financial Issues. Adequate funds to implement the plans for improvements developed by the Agricultural Department for the San Luis Valley RC&D Project and the Four Corners Regional Commis- sion would alleviate many of the problems identified herein with the resultant immeasurable economic and social benefits to the populace. NEW MEXICO Problem Area 1, Rio Grande Basin. Problems existing in the area of Problem No. 1 are common throughout the areas of ASA 1302 and 1304 in New Mexico. Positive steps are required to alleviate these conditions, otherwise, neg- ative effects will continue to occur as follows: 1. In areas where groundwater supplies are limited and most uses depend upon surface-water supplies, increased demands for uses other than irrigation will require a transfer from irrigation use. This would result in drying up large irrigated acreages and would have an adverse impact upon economic, social, and environmental conditions in the region. 2. Quality and quantity of groundwater supplies are marginal in many areas. Expensive works are required to improve the quality for domestic and industrial uses. 3. Flood damage occurs in 22 urban communities (communities with 2,500 or more inhabitants), 30 rural communities that have 200 to 2,500 inhabitants, and dozens of small villages that have less than 200 inhabi tants. 4. Flood damage destroys irrigation works, cropland, roads, bridges, and other structures. 5. Headcutting and sheet erosion destroy range and cropland and result in rapid siltation of stream beds and reservoir areas. 74 003122