Agriculture

The Kern River 2003 Expansion Project Utah-Volume Vl Synthesis of Regional Archaeological Data

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Southwest Region — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:10:14 PST

The Kern River 2003 Expansion Project consisted of the installation of a natural gas pipeline frorn near Opal. Wyoming to a terminus in the vicinity of Bakersfield, California. The project was an expansion of thc cxisting 36-inch diameter pipeline through the construction of 717 miles of additional 36 and 42 inch pipcline loops. several new compressor stations, and modifications to existing compressor stations, meter stations and various other supporting facilities. The project has been overseen by the Federal Energy Rcgulatory Commission (FERC), as well as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the United States Forest Scrvicc(USFS), and various state and tribal authorities. Cultural resources along the planned pipclinc expansion corridor were identified, assessed, and mitigated according to relevant historic prcscrvation laws. Various inventory reports, treatment plans, and mitigation reports have been produced for thc project in Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. This document is one portion of the overall cultural resources mitigation report for the Utah portion of this project.

Evaluation of the Effects of Stage Fluctuations on Overwinter Survial and Movement of Young Colorado Pikeminnow in the Green River, Utah, 1999-2002

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:13:57 PST

Each component of the Flaming Gorge Winter study had specific objectives to address oncerning the effects of winter operations of Flaming Gorge Dam on the survival, distribution, and ursery habitats of age-O Colorado pileeminnow. n Table I, study objectives for each project are resented and the reader is directed to the relevant draft report. The Colorado River Fish Project-Vernal, tah, was responsible for conducting field investigations (i.e., population estimates, winter fish sampling, nd monitoring stage fluctuations) in the alluvial reach occupied by age-O Colorado pileeminnow. olorado State University was responsible for characterizing movement rates under simulated winter onditions; and developing and eValuating a bioenergetics model for age-O Colorado pileeminnow.

Wind-Powered Hydrogen Electric Systems for Farm and Rural Use, Final Report

United States Department of Energy — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:30:22 PDT

The objective of this study has been to determine the current technology of a wind-energy conversion system (WECS) of minimal cost for rural applications. Specifically, IGT has evaluated available methods for converting shaft horse-power from a wind turbine to electricity and hydrogen. A workable mix of these two energy forms with storage that can support the energy needs of selected farming operations and the rural home was sought.

Energy load patterns of several farming operations were examined for interfacing with the energy storage and delivery systems that are supplied by wind turbines dependent on the prevalent winds. Several preliminary designs have been completed so that a follow-up program for developing detailed designs and demonstration units can be implemented if desired.

Sheep Production in 11 Western States

United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:02:22 PDT

Net cash returns of U.S. sheep producers were positive for the past 18 years, yet the industry in 1986 experienced the largest declines in number of sheep farms and in sheep population since 1942. Per capita consumption of lamb and mutton has trended downward since 1962, remaining below 1.5 pounds for the past 13 years. The 1986 USDA Farm Costs and Returns Survey indicates that the major sheep production practices of shed and range lambing have not changed significantly since 1980, and losses from disease and predators are high. Sheep production requires more hired labor and operator time than any other livestock enterprises. Although sheep production is more profitable than cattle production, sheep producers require more net return than do cattle producers to expand production.

Endangered Species and Irrigated Agriculture, Water Resource Competition in Western River Systems

United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:21:44 PDT

This report characterizes several aspects of water allocation tradeoffs between fish species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act and agriculture in the American West. The geographic intersection between endangered/threatened (E/T) fish and agricultural production reliant on surface water for irrigation is identified. Three findings are: (1) 235 counties, representing 22 percent of the West's counties, contain irrigated production that relies on water from rivers with E/T fish, (2) areas generating the highest revenues per acre from crop production are those most dependent on surface water irrigation, and (3) these same areas are also most likely to be drawing water from rivers that contain at least one E/T species.