News Release Archive

Reclamation Requests Comments on Proposed Orchard Mesa Irrigation District System Improvements

Media Contact: Justyn Hock, (970) 248-0625, 11/30/2009 19:11
Terry Stroh, tstroh@usbr.gov

For Release: November 30, 2009

Reclamation's Western Colorado Area Office announced today that it will prepare an environmental assessment to evaluate the impacts of a proposed system improvement project for Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (OMID). The proposed project includes: construction of a 100-acre-foot reservoir on approximately 15 acres, upgraded check structures in Orchard Mesa Canals No. 1 and No. 2, installation of remote monitoring systems, construction of a recirculation pump system at Duck Pond Park, and improved operational procedures. The goal of the project is provide a more reliable water supply throughout the canal systems and save an estimated 17,000 acre-feet of water per year. The project plan is available online at: www.usbr.gov/uc/wcao/index.html" under Current Focus.

Reclamation and the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District will hold an open house/information meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mesa View Elementary School on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The school is located at 2967 B Rd and the open house meeting will be in the cafeteria. Reclamation requests that comments be submitted no later than January 8, 2010 to assist in development of a draft environmental assessment. Written comments can be mailed to Terence Stroh, Bureau of Reclamation, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, CO 81506, or emailed to tstroh@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.