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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Co\) l\) CJ)' 0) Affected most severely by this salinity are, municipal and c indus trial water users in the Las Vegas-Los Angeles-San Diego area, and irrigators in southern California and Arizona, who experience annual ecpnomic losses. The losses, associated with municipal and 'industrial' use occur primarily from increased water treatment costs, accelerated pipe corrosion and appliance wear, increased soap and detergent needs, and decreased drinking' water palatability. For irrigators, the higher concentrations cause decreased crop yields, altered cropping patterns, increased leaching and drainage requirements, and increased. management costs. Overall, the damages attributl'lb1e to salinity are estimated at $340,000, for each mg/L at Imperial Dam, base~ on 1976 prices. Salinity not only has economic effects on water users in the Lower Basin, States, but is also an important factor in international relations with Mexico, which is guaranteed an annual supply of 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water by a 1944 treaty. In 1973 the United States and Mexico agreed. that the water delivered to Mexico from the main stem of the river would have a salinity of no more than 115~30 mg/L greater than the average salinity of water at Imperial Dam. The Seven-State Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum has proposed numerical salinity criteria for three points on the lower main stem of the river, as proposed by the Basin States under Public Law 92-500 requirements and EPA regulations. These criteria provide specific program objectives and if they are to be met about 2.5 million tons of salt will have to be removed, from the system each year. The ,criteria for the' three locations are ,as fol.,. lows: Below Hoover Dam Below Parker Dam Imperial Dam 723 mg/L 747 mg/L 879 mg/L In recognition of these facts, Congress passed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (Public Law 93-320) on June 24, 1974., Title :II of that' act authorized the Secretary of the Interior ,to construct, operate, and main- tain four specific salinity control units in the:Upper Basin as the initial stage of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project.' In addition"the Secretary was authorized and directed to expedite completion of planning re- ports on twelve other units, one of which was G1enwood.,.Ootsero Springs. ' The inves tigations will be conducted on a level of detail and accuracy, sufficient to identify and evaluate alternative plans, to select a recommended, ' plan if appropriate, and to prepare a feasibility report and the appropriate environmental assessment or statement. If a feasible plan is identified, the report and environmental document may be submitted to Congress'bythe Secre- tary tosee,kauthorization and funding for construction of ,the unit. 3 'C\t~_._ -;:/~ . ',,';'.; 1 ~ -, ,', , "'" . .