Gunnison River Basin Selenium Task Force

ACTION PLAN

Working Version -- revised 9-23-04

(NOTE:  All public and media outreach activities are shown in Objective 6)

 

Column entitled “Priority for TF attention” is not concerned with how important this item is to the overall mission of the task force.  It is rather an identification of the priority of task force actions, e.g., the task force does not need to help the UVWUA pipe laterals in task 1.1 A., but they do have a High priority need to continue lobbying for funding under task 1.2 A.

 

Objective 1:  Pipe laterals & line canals in high selenium loading areas

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

1.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

Medium

 

A.

Pipe laterals with NIWQP/Salinity Program funding

UVWUA, BOR

Start construction Nov. 04; complete current phase ~ 2007

Med

 

B.

Install pressurized deliveries where feasible when requested by the landowner

UVWUA, BOR

Ongoing

Med

 

C.

Implement canal lining demonstration

CRWCD, UVWUA

Early 2005

High

 

D.

Develop canal lining program where feasible

CRWCD, BOR, UVWUA, NRCS, technical subgroup

Spring 2005

Med.

 

E.

Investigate selenium & salt loading from other areas (e.g., Bostwick Park)

CRWCD, NRCS

??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

High

 

A.

Continue Congressional lobbying to fund lateral piping

CRWCD, UVWUA

Ongoing

High

 

B.

Research/request other funding sources for canal lining

Coordinator, BOR

Winter 2005

Low

 

C.

Request funding in future Salinity Program RFPs for East Side Laterals

UVWUA, BOR

Spring 2005

Med.

 

D.

Request funding in future Salinity Program RFPs for

projects in other areas.

CRWCD, BOR

Spring 2005

 


 

Objective 2:  Implement non-ag BMPs

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

2.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

High

 

A.

Complete BMP development and presentation package

Aung Hla/319 grant

June 2005

High

 

B.

Seek incorporation of BMPs into local development requirements

Aung Hla/319 grant/Task Force

June 2005

Med

 

C.

Seek solutions for Devils Thumb Golf Course in cooperation with City of Delta

Devils Thumb subgroup, BOR TATS

Delta taking the lead/ complete?

Med.

 

D.

Investigate & implement BMP incentive program

Technical committee

 

 

2.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

 ---

 

A.

Fund demonstration projects (e.g., at Pavilion, Olathe)

CRWCD, 319, BOR

complete

High

 

B.

Identify & pursue funding sources to support implementation for BMPs (e.g., for cost sharing)

Task Force

Due date needed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Objective 3:  Encourage On-farm efficiency improvements in all high selenium loading areas

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

3.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

High

 

A. 1

Request NRCS provide information (GIS mapping?) areas treated to date by EQIP/old salinity program and acres to be treated in the future

Task Force

Due date needed

Med.

 

A. 2 

Estimate future salinity/selenium loading reduction potential for east side EQIP projects

NRCS

Due date needed

Med.

 

B.

Support EQIP Work Group priorities for salinity reduction on the East Side

Coordinator, NRCS, Task Force

ongoing

Med.

 

C.

Develop information to support & encourage more sprinklers on east side (see Objective 6)

Technical subgroup, NRCS, CSU

Due date needed

Low

 

D.

Review plant grant and consider new crops with potential to reduce selenium (including tree farms for ornamental uses and for wood chips)

Technical subgroup, CSU

Dec. 2004

----

 

E.

Complete 1st phase of the pond study (including inventory and evaluation of potential for salinity control program funding) 

BOR, NRCS

Completed in September 2004

High

 

F.

Complete evaluation of pond lining technologies

 

BOR (with Devils Thumb TATS?)

Due date needed

Med.

 

G.

Identify ponds with potential for lining

BOR TATS??

Due date needed

 

3.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

High

 

A.

Obtain funding to provide cost sharing for sprinkler installation and possibly, pond lining.

Task Force

Spring 2005

High

 

  B.

Obtain funding for further pond studies

Task Force

Due date needed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Objective 4:  Increase use of GIS tools and Soils information

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

4.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

----

 

A.

Speed up digitization process by writing letters to State Conservationist from soil conservation districts.

coordinator

Complete – letter has be sent.

Med.

 

B.

Discuss how we use this information

NRCS

ongoing

Med.

 

C.

Provide presentations to increase utilization (share uses, limits)

NRCS

ongoing

High

 

D.

Increase use of GIS tools and Soils info by policy makers

Tech subgroup

ASAP – Spring 2005

 

4.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

 


 

Objective 5:  Quantify effects of Changing Land Use (purpose: use results to determine need for additional control measures and to support adoption of BMPs by local decision makers)

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

5.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

High

 

A.

Develop scope of work for land use study seeking review comments from interested parties

USGS

November 2004

Med.

 

B.

Research assumptions to be used in model

USGS, Champion

Due date needed

Med

 

C.

Identify type & location of new development, including septic systems

Counties?

Due date needed

Med

 

D.

Incorporate soils information

USGS

Due date needed

Med

 

E.

Conduct study

USGS, BOR, others?

Due date needed

Med

 

F.

Coordinate with decision support model

USGS, BOR, Task Force

Due date needed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

High

 

A.

Identify prospective study partners

USGS, BOR, task forces?

Due date needed


 

Objective 6:  Public outreach & education

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible Party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

6.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

High

 

A.

Develop an approach to selenium reduction from a wise water use perspective 

Technical subgroup, all water districts

Spring 2005

High

 

B.

Form partnerships with others interested in wise water use

Technical subgroup

Spring 2005

Low

 

C.

Use Meaker demo to educate and promote acceptance of sprinklers (e.g., at CSU Field Days)

 

CSU, others?

ongoing

High

 

D.

Develop education & marketing program for BMPs (including workshops)

Technical subgroup

Ongoing; First effort in Nov. 2004

High

 

E.

Involve media in disseminating information

Technical subgroup

Ongoing; First effort in Nov. 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Objective 7:   Monitor project impacts and overall loading and concentration changes in the lower Gunnison Basin

 

Priority for TF attention

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

 

7.1

 

Technical/ implementation

 

 

Med.

 

A.

Identify needs/develop monitoring plan

Technical workgroup

2005

Med.

 

B.

Site specific monitoring for individual projects

 

2005

Med.

 

C.

Basin monitoring for overall changes

CDPHE?, USGS, BOR?

2005

Med.

 

D.

Identify changes related to specific projects

??

2005

 

7.2

 

Resources/funding

 

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

HIGH priorities for accomplishment October 2004 – March 2005

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

1.1

D.

Develop canal lining program where feasible

CRWCD, BOR, UVWUA, NRCS, technical subgroup

Spring 2005

1.2

A.

Continue Congressional lobbying to fund lateral piping

CRWCD, UVWUA

Ongoing

1.2

B.

Research/request other funding sources for canal lining

Coordinator, BOR

Winter 2005

2.1

A.

Complete BMP development and presentation package

Aung Hla/319 grant

June 2005

2.1

B.

Seek incorporation of BMPs into local development requirements

Aung Hla/319 grant/Task Force

June 2005

2.2

B.

Identify & pursue funding sources to support implementation for BMPs (e.g., for cost sharing)

Task Force

Due date needed

3.1

A.1

Request NRCS provide information (GIS mapping?) on areas treated to date by EQIP/old salinity program and acres to be treated in the future

Task Force

Due date needed

3.1

F.

Complete evaluation of pond lining technologies

 

BOR (with Devils Thumb TATS?)

Due date needed

3.2

A.

Obtain funding to provide cost sharing for sprinkler installation and possibly, pond lining.

Task Force

Spring 2005

3.2

B.

Obtain funding for further pond studies

Task Force

Due date needed

4.1

D.

Increase use of GIS tools and Soils info by policy makers

Tech subgroup

ASAP – Spring 2005

5.1

A.

Develop scope of work for land use study seeking review comments from interested parties

USGS

November 2004

Id. No.

 

Task

Responsible party(ies)

Status/ Scheduled Completion Date

5.2

A.

Identify prospective study partners for land use study

USGS, BOR, task forces?

Due date needed

6.1

A.

Develop an approach to selenium reduction from a wise water use perspective 

Technical subgroup, all water districts

Spring 2005

6.1

B.

Form partnerships with others interested in wise water use

Technical subgroup

Spring 2005

6.1

D.

Develop education & marketing program for BMPs (including workshops)

Technical subgroup

Ongoing; First effort in Nov. 2004

6.1

E.

Involve media in disseminating BMP information

Technical subgroup

Ongoing; First effort in Nov. 2004