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<br />2000 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />The Council is concerned with how the USEPA is administering the NPDES permits for which <br />it has responsibility within the Basin. While the NPDES program is a small component of the plan <br />of implementation, it is still very important. The Council recognizes that this responsibility is <br />located in three different regions within the USEP A, making coordination difficult, but the Council <br />.. feels that the USEPA must find a way to improve its coordination and ensure the Forum policies <br />Ch are applied consistently in all the regions. The Council notes that issues associated with the <br />N <br />~ USEPA administration of NPDES permits are, in part, raised by queries associated with the <br />Forum's policies concerning the discharge of salt. The Forum is planning to review its policies <br />in this regard and the USEP A is urged to advance its view concerning these policies. <br /> <br />It is noted that the USEPA has funds that it administers that can be used to implement water <br />quality improvement measures that would reduce the salt loading to the Colorado River. In a joint <br />venture that included salinity funding and USEPA funding, important salinity control was <br />accomplished by the Ashley Valley Sewage Lagoon Replacement Project. The USEPA is urged <br />to look for opportunities to provide additional funding for efforts to reduce salt loading. <br /> <br />The Council notes that the USEPA has expedited its approval process of the triennial reviews <br />prepared in part by the Forum and adopted by each of the seven states. The Council appreciates <br />this effort. It is noted that the Forum will, in the next few months, start its effort to prepare the <br />2002 Review. The USEPA is urged to become involved in this report writing process. <br /> <br />The Council requests written responses to all concerns raised in this report concerning the USEP A <br />by May 11, 2001 (see page 12). <br /> <br />International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) <br /> <br />The Council would like to thank the IBWC for arranging the tour of facilities in the San Luis and <br />Mexicali Valley areas of Mexico. The Council acknowledges that it does not have specific <br />responsibility for Title I of the Salinity Control Act (the portion of the Act that relates to the <br />salinity of water entering Mexico). However, the program set forth in the plan of implementation <br />will have, when in place, a direct impact on these salinity levels. The plan of implementation <br />directly relates to Title II authorized activities and is intended to protect water quality for users <br />in the United States. The Council members thought the tour was very worthwhile and provided <br />great insight into agricultural activities in Mexico. It notes that the U.S. Section of the IBWC is <br />engaged in discussions with the Mexican Section concerning water deliveries and the water quality <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SAliNITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br />9 <br />