Supplemental Watershed Plan for the Lower Gunnison Project Area Public Scoping Meeting Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Introduction This project is intended to streamline the NEPA disclosure, planning and project implementation for future federally-funded (e.g., NRCS, USBR) irrigation infrastructure improvements. The Environmental Assessment will disclose environmental benefits and potential impacts, and ensure all regulations are adhered to. The original Lower Gunnison Watershed Plan was completed in June, 2017. Additional projects seeking funding will be covered collectively in this Supplemental Plan-EA. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Funding Programs, Projects and the Colorado River District Federal funds for Different funding can be The Colorado River The scoping period will irrigation infrastructure ‘leveraged’ identify projects District coordinates improvements: throughout the project different funding for For example – outside area, and include them 1) Salinity control funds the Lower Gunnison funding (state funding, (US Bureau of in the Environmental Basin, and has ag funding, and Reclamation) Assessment, depending NRCS/RCPP) can be used contracted with ERO on their 2) US Department of to assist a salinity piping Resources to conduct fundability/feasibility. Agriculture (USDA) Natural project, where salinity the analysis for this Resource Conservation content in the soil is not The scoping period is Supplemental Service (NRCS). For great enough to receive also the time you can Watershed Plan. This example, Regional funding. comment on issues of EA will build on robust Conservation Partnership concern to the natural Program (RCPP) funds, analysis in the or human environment. Watershed Flood Watershed Plan-EA, Protection (PL-566), EQIP. completed in 2017. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Presentation Overview 1. Review the Supplemental Watershed Plan purpose, project areas, scoping and public involvement 2. Review examples of irrigation infrastructure improvements 3. Review potential issues and environmental effects 4. Discuss strategies for minimizing/avoiding impacts 5. Solicit irrigation infrastructure improvement projects 6. Public engagement, involvement and comments Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Supplemental Watershed Plan Purpose and Need The purpose of improving and modernizing our agricultural infrastructure is to improve the way water is diverted, stored and delivered to crops. Comprehensively, water use efficiency projects can have a watershed level improvement on water quantity and quality, as well to enable increased crop productivity, soil health and better wildlife and fish habitat. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Map of Project Area Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Placeholder for Crawford map Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Placeholder for Bostwick Park map Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Public Scoping: June 15-July 14 Two purposes: 1. Your input will aid our understanding of issues that may result from the projects, so we can understand how to avoid or minimize the project impacts. 2. We are using this scoping process to “call for projects” within the Under NEPA, federal agencies must watershed area to be included in the NEPA analysis. consider and disclose effects to both the human and natural environment during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Process Overview and Discussion 1. Multiple interrelated processes 2. Different federal funding programs for irrigation infrastructure improvements 3. Addressing potential issues with environmental and cultural effects 4. Supplemental Watershed Plan Project timeline 5. We need you for plans, projects and comments Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Supplemental Watershed Plan: A programmatic approach to NEPA compliance Working to “streamline” project clearance, we are exploring this approach (subject to agency coordination): 1. The Watershed Plan EA/Supplemental EA functions to disclose environmental effects at a “watershed level” 2. The NRCS could “Tier” their funding decision to the EA for smaller/minor projects or project changes; a memo to the NRCS file would document the project decision 3. Future specific projects within the watershed, would still undergo environmental planning and review as required by federal law, but a new EA would not be required. Additional clearance surveys may be needed for specific projects, depending on their location and design, to ensure compliance with federal laws including the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Reservoir storage improvements. Water storage can regulate pressure and capture water supplies, to optimize water delivery. Typical project types Collectively, these projects form a network of systems within each sub- watershed. Gate/diversion structure upgrades. Water Future projects (5 to 10 years out) can flows can be accurately measured, and new be included in this supplemental control systems can be added, to assist with watershed plan. regulating flows remotely. Piping projects. Conversion of open, unlined, earthen water delivery systems (laterals, canals and ditches) to closed, pressurized pipe, with the addition of monitoring and control systems. SCADA Upgrades. Adding “smart” monitoring and control systems can benefit off-farm, near- farm and on-farm irrigation systems. For example, water delivery in pipes, can be driven by on-farm water demand. Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
C4 Water Storage Project Completed in 2020 Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Effects from small water storage projects • Impacts within reservoir footprint; inundation • Transition from upland to wetland fringe vegetation • Visual changes to landscape, and to historical features and cultural resources • Construction disturbance/weed infestations • Changes to water flows • Water Conservation benefits Example water storage facility on Oak Mesa • other? Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Needlerock Diversion Gate Improvement East of Crawford, completed in 2019 Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Effects from gate/diversion structure improvements • Construction impacts within the vicinity of the structure; timing to avoid impacts to nesting birds and other wildlife • Change to a historical resource • Weed infestation • Potential to change/impact flows • Benefits to stream flows • Updates can provide fish passage • Other? Leroux Creek Diversion northwest of Hotchkiss Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Fire Mountain Canal Salinity Control Piping Project Completed in 2020 Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Effects from Lining/Piping projects • Construction impacts, noise, access and staging (scale- dependent) • Visual changes to landscape and to alterations to historical features/ cultural resources • Fringe wetland vegetation transition to upland vegetation; shrub and tree loss • Effects to wildlife and birds • Changes to water flows • Weed infestations • Open, unlined earthen Decreased loss due to seepage • ditch near Crawford Beneficial effects; • Other? Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Future SCADA sites Crawford Water Conservancy District Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
SCADA Projects/effects Environmental issues (construction disturbances) are expected to be very minor for these projects. • Effects to historic resources • Potential to affect wildlife • Water conservation; labor savings; other? Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver • Durango • Hotchkiss • Idaho www.eroresources.com
Recommend
More recommend
