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<br />Ulill.',17 <br /> <br />Selenium Update <br /> <br />For Colorado's Lower Gunnison River Basin and Grand Valley <br />Prepared by the National Irrigation Water Quality Program <br /> <br />No.4 <br /> <br />December 1999 <br /> <br />Grand l'tlller/Orc/lUrd Mesa Wildlife Area: <br />(fj>rood.puunJ.'.:ct>o:lo"l <br /> <br />INPUT NEEDED ON FINAL AL TERNA TlVES <br />For many months, the National Irrigation Water <br />Quality Program (NIWQP) study team has been <br />examining various measures aimed at reducing <br />selenium impacts at the Orchard Mesa wildlife <br />area (OMWA). We have studied approximately <br />20 ideas including treating the water, land <br />retirement and evaporation. Finally. we have a <br />set of alternatives from which we will choose one <br />to implement. However, we would like your input <br />before making that decision. <br /> <br />If you are interested, please take time to study <br />the alternatives on page 2 and send us your <br />comments on the enclosed postage paid <br />comment card by January 7. Your help is very <br />much appreciated. Additionally, if you have <br />verbal comments, please call Mike Baker at <br />(970) 248-0637 or send e-mail to <br />mbaker@uc.usbr.gov. <br /> <br />BackQround _ The Orchard Mesa wildlife area is a <br />153.acre site located along the south bank of the <br />Colorado River about 3 miles east of downtown <br />Grand Junction between 30 and 31 Roads. Its <br />purpose is to replace wildlife habitat lost during the <br />lining and piping of irrigation canals and laterals in <br />the Grand Valley and to protect endangered fish <br />habitat. Selenium concentrations up to 30 parts per <br />billion (ppb) have been recorded in water samples <br />here. The Colorado water Quality standard is 5 ppb. <br />Selenium. leached from mancos shale deposits by <br />irrigation return flows. bioaccumulates in food <br />organisms consumed by fish and waterfowl. <br />Selenium sensItive fish and wildlife are likely <br />encounteflng reduced reproductive success and <br />deformities. <br /> <br />lConl,nued on page 2) <br /> <br />Lower GIIII"i.\Oll 8tH;11: <br />If Of ba.:~ground.!.eC pa~e 41 <br /> <br />130 "STAKEHOLDERS" TALK SOLUTIONS <br />On November 17. the Gunnison River Basin <br />Selenium Task Force (GRBSTF) and the <br />NIWQP held a workshop in Delta to identify <br />possible solutions to selenium problems in the <br />Gunnison River Basin in western Colorado. <br /> <br /> <br />The audience primarily consisted of farmers, <br />representatives of interested organizations, <br />other landowners and the media who are <br />concerned about the possibilities of large <br />amounts of irrigated lands being dewatered to <br />solve the selenium problem. Members of the <br />Task Force had previously briefed local <br />government entities, farm co-ops and civic <br />groups to encourage their participation in <br />finding solutions. On the day precedin9 the <br />workshop, an article in the Montrose Daily <br />Press carried the headline: "High selenium <br />levels threaten valley farming." <br /> <br />(Continued on page 3) <br />