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('J gg plants having low water use efficiency. In the STEP process, evapotran- . . '. - (:~ spiration of water produces a more concentrated saline solution, genera- , '-- ting a brine suitable for further concentration and disposal. Concurr- ently, crops are produced that are suitable as a livestock feed as wel1 as a resource for chemicals and materials manufacture. Saline water from Glenwood Springs would be col1ected and transpor- ted through an insulated pipeline to a site suitable for production of salt tolerant reeds or marsh grasses. These plants, through evapotran- spiration, would concentrate the salts, make beneficial use of the water supply, and yield crops and resource materials. Tap-offs could be in- stalled at selected points along the pipeline to provide commercial en- terprises with geothermal heat, carbon dioxide and/or saltwater resour- ces. Concentrated brines resulting from the STEP process would be col- lected, transported, and deposited at appropriate sites for disposal. The STEP process presents a concept that would have some advantages over alternative methods of salt reduction in the Colorado River Basin. These advantages are: 1. An opportunity for cost sharing. 2. An opportunity to attract private investment. 3. Salt removal nearly twice as cost-effective ($57 per ton, as outlined in the preliminary assessment) as Reclamation's Glenwood-Dotsero Springs unit of the Colorado River Water Quality Improvement program. Unresolved Issues At this point studies have consisted of a first-round literature search and professional opinions. Many issues must be verified and/or resolved before this method of salt reduction could be implemented. Unresolved issues include the probability of obtaining an approved Colorado water right, growth and productivity of emergent plants, bene- ficial use and marketability and of emergent plants, harvestability and 2