Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program

To provide financial and technical assistance to:

  1. Identify salt source areas
  2. develop project plans to carry out conservation practices to reduce salt loads
  3. install conservation practices to reduce salinity levels
  4. carry out research, education,

    credit: Wikipedia
    and demonstration activities
  5. carry out monitoring and evaluation activities; and
  6. to decrease salt concentration and salt loading which causes increased salinity levels within in the Colorado River and to enhance the supply and quality of water available for use in the United States and the Republic of Mexico.
Related Programs

Examples of Funded Projects

For the past several fiscal years, salinity control activities were funded under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).


Agency - Department of Agriculture

Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.

Office - Consult the local telephone directory for location of the local NRCS field office.

If there is no listing, get in touch with the appropriate State NRCS office listed in the NRCS section of Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories





Program Accomplishments

This program is operated in 6 project areas in 3 States (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming).

Uses and Use Restrictions

Eligible owners or operators in approved project areas may receive cost-share assistance to treat salinity problems caused by agricultural irrigation activities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

A participant may be any of the following: an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible lands: Individual, Indian tribe, partnership, firm, association, corporation, joint stock company, conservation district, estate, trust, irrigation district or company, and State or local public or nonpublic entity not described above.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Any person in the Colorado River basin will benefit who uses or reuses water for irrigation, domestic, municipal or industrial water supply or for fish and wildlife habitat.

Credentials/Documentation

Any eligible landowner or operator who controls land in an identified salt source area is eligible to apply for cost-share assistance. This program is currently available in Mesa, Delta, Montezuma, and Montrose counties, Colorado; Duchesne and Uintah counties, Utah; Sweetwater county, Wyoming. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.

A-102.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Eligible persons may make application on Form SCS-LTP-001. CRSC contracts may be requested during sign-up periods throughout the year at the local NRCS office in the county where the land is located. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedures

The designated project Contracting officer may approve applications within the project allocation of Federal funds for cost-share assistance.

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, as amended, Section 202c of Title II, 43 U.S.C. 1592c; Section 201, Public Law 93-320, 88 Stat. 271; Section 2, Public Law 98-569, 98 Stat. 2933, 43 U.S.C. 1592(c).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

None.

Appeals

Participants may appeal any determination to the National Appeals Division, Washington, DC.

Renewals

Certain practice approvals may be extended by the contracting Offices.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Cost-share assistance levels may be funded up to 70 percent of total cost.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Long-term contracts of 3 to 10 years. Cost-share assistance is paid when the practice is performed.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

None.

Audits

Subject to audit by Office of the Inspector General, USDA.

Records

Records are maintained in the NRCS office and Federal record centers for a specified number of years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3318-0-1-304.

Obigations

(Direct payments) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est $0; and FY 09 est not reported. (Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 est $10,000; FY 08 est $0; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The range has not been identified. Average: $20,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Guidelines are announced through the news media and in letters to agricultural producers in the county.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Consult the local telephone directory for location of the local NRCS field office. If there is no listing, get in touch with the appropriate State NRCS office listed in the NRCS section of Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Financial Assistance Programs Division, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013. Dave Mason ,Telephone: (202) 720-1873. Use the same number for FTS.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The type and severity of salinity problems; the need to correlate on the farm conservation treatment with canal and lateral improvement; estimated cost; extent of the salinity problem; proximity to water bodies; land use charges; offsite effects; onsite environmental effects; other resource problems; seasonal nature of salinity reduction practices to be installed; applicants' ability to complete practices in the shortest time practical; and positive or negative effects on wildlife.


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