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<br />W <br />'-P <br />OJ <br />GO <br /> <br />of the Government Highline Canal (GHC), consolidating 34 miles of open laterals into 29 miles <br />of pipe laterals and installing an automated moss and debris removal structure. Salt load <br />reduction in Stage I from the canal and lateral improvements is estimated to be 21,900 tons per <br />year (tons/yr). This work was completed in April 1983. To test the effects of Stage I <br />improvements on ground water flows and quality, a hydrologically isolated subbasin within the <br />Stage I area, the Reed Wash, was instrumented to monitor surface and ground-water inflow and <br />outflow. This subbasin was used in the planning and design of Stage II. <br /> <br />Stage II construction began on the west end of the GHC system in the fall of 1986 and <br />was essentially completed in 1991. Improvements to this reach reduced salt reaching the river <br />by 25,600 tons/yr. Work on Stage II is continuing in the middle reach of the GHC system canal <br />lining with replacement laterals. Construction in the more populated east end of the GHC <br />required Reclamation to prepare an environmental assessment to evaluate the impacts of <br />alternative methods of canal lining. In response to landowner concerns, Reclamation developed <br />a plan which minimizes the need for right-of-way acquisition without increasing the project costs <br />significantly. Construction of east end improvements started in 1992. <br /> <br />The 1977 Definite Plan Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Valley <br />Unit were supplemented to add improvements to the privately owned Price and Stubb Ditches. <br />Construction of these Stage II facilities started in 1991 under cooperative agreements with the <br />Palisade Irrigation District and the Mesa County Irrigation District. Reclamation is continuing <br />with planning and studies of other proposed components of Stage II. <br /> <br />USDA published the plan for the Grand Valley onfarm program in 1977 and in 1980 <br />prepared a supplement to include improvements to lateral systems. The plan identifies a salt <br />load reduction goal of 163,000 tons. The USDA program includes the installation of onfarm <br />salinity reduction practices and lining or piping certain off-farm lateral systems which are needed <br />to support the onfarm inprovements. Implementation was initiated in 1979 under existing USDA <br />authorities and in 1987 funding became available under the USDA Colorado River Salinity <br />Control (CRSC) program. <br /> <br />As of September 30, 1992, a total of 3,264 annual Agricultural Conservation Program <br />(ACP)/long-term agreements and CRSC contracts have been signed with participants. In <br />addition, 180 farmers are ready to implement salinity reduction and wildlife habitat measures <br />and have submitted applications for salinity control contracts. Because of insufficient USDA <br />funds, salinity control contracts can be prepared and signed with only a limited number of these <br />applicants. Farmers have installed 426 miles of pipelines and ditch lining. Major improvements <br />have been made on 19,000 acres of surface irrigation systems including over 4,400 acres of land <br />leveling. In addition, 38 sprinkler systems and 37 drip systems have been installed. The total <br />USDA annual salt load reduction as of September 30, 1992, is 56,600 tons. <br /> <br />Uinta Basin (Reclamation and USDA); The area covered by the Uinta Basin Unit in <br />northeastern Utah contributed about 450,000 tons of salt annually to the Colorado River System. <br />Return flows from 204,000 acres of irrigated land account for most of the salt contribution. <br /> <br />4-5 <br />