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2000 ANNUAL REPORT .... ~ N ~ of these deliveries. The Council expresses its appreciation for the IBWC's efforts in the past to consult with the Forum and the Basin states on these international issues. It is believed that consultation is necessary to foster coordination and to prevent conflicts between IBWC and Forum activities. It is further noted that just before the close of the reporting period of this report, the two countries agreed upon a conceptual minute relating to environmental issues in the Colorado River Delta. Further, the U.S. Section has asked the Forum to host a tour of Title II efforts for Mexican designates. The Council is pleased that the Forum has indicated its intentions to host such a tour. The Council believes that many issues concerning the waters of the Colorado River now being discussed by the two countries are important to maintain a free flow of information and coordination among IBWC, the Council, the Forum and the Basin states. The IBWC has effectively accomplished this in recent years and this is appreciated. The Council urges that consultation and information exchange continue in a timely manner. MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, although authorized in 1974, is not an old or dated law as it has been modified on many occasions to allow for improvements in the salinity control program. Most recently, in 1995, the Basin states and the Administration supported a major reform to the USBR program and the resulting effort, now termed the Basinwide Program, has been most cost-effective. In 1996, with the passage of a farm bill, the Salinity Control Act was amended to allow for up-front cost sharing by the Basin states in both the Basinwide Program and the USDA program. In 2000, the Congress reviewed the program and passed legislation to allow for additional funds to be spent on the Basinwide Program. In 1984 and 2000, the Congress also addressed the role of the BLM. These recent above cited legislative actions set forth the current intent of the Congress and in each case the initiative was supported by the Administration. The Council believes that now the Administration should request adequate funding to implement the authorized program in a timely manner. The funding levels for federal agencies charged with implementation of the salinity control that are contained in this report are consistent with conclusions reached regarding the funding required to accomplish the plan of implementation adopted by the Forum in its 1999 Review. This 1999 Review has been formally adopted by each of the seven Basin states and approved by the USEP A. COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL 10