WSP10739

• File Number: 8275.100
• Description: Legislation and Litigation -- SALINITY -- Federal Legislation
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 7/28/1999
• Title: Testimony Before the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Support of S 1211
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

;TATE.OF CAUFORNIA - THt', l,j:.~;()URCES AGENC.Y

GRA y DAVIS. Governor

COLORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
770 FAIRMONT AVENUE, SUITE HIt}
GLENDALE,CA 91201.1(1)5
[phone]
[phone] FAX

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.. July 20, 1999
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The Honorabk Gordon H. Smith, Chairman
Subcommittec on WaleI' and Power of the Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
United Slates Scnate
SD-308 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington. D.C. 205]0

Dear Chainll'lIl Smith:

Re: Amendment to the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control ACl - S. 1211

Your support and leadership are needed to ensure pa~sage of S. ] 2] I which amends the Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Act by providing additional funding authorization. It is essential that this
legislation mo\'c forward expeditiously in order that the necessary funding authorization is in place to
allow the Burcau of Reclamation's Basinwide Salinity Control Program to receive adequate funding
and appropri"lions. This program has been carried out through the Colorado River Basin Salinity
Control Act. ",hich was initially enacted by Congress in 1974.

It has been esli\1lalCd through previous federal studies that the Lower Basin States' (Arizona, California,
and Nevada) ("Iorado River waleI' lIsers were suffering economic damages ranging betwe,e.n
$500 million "11(1 $750 million per year. Most of that damage is occurring in California. The potential
impact of failing to continue to move forward wilh the plan of implementation for salinity control
within the seven'state Colorado River Basin could permit these damages to exceed $1.5 billion
annually in the future.

The Colorado Ri vel' Board of California (Colorado River Board) is the staie agency charged with
protecting California's interesls and rights in the water and power resources of the Colorado River
System. Cali furl1ia along with the other Basin States established the Colorado River Basin Salinity
Control Forulll (FonIm) in 1973, as the interstate organization responsible for coordinating the Basin
States' salinity ,""ntrol efforls. In June 1975, the Forum established salinity standards, including
numeric crileri;1 for salinity concentralions at three points along the Colorado River. These criteria were
established 10 Icssen the flllure salinity damages in the Lower Basin Slates as well as assist the United
Stales in deli\'ering water of adequate quality to Mexico in accordance with the Mexican Water Treaty
and Minule No. 242 of the l.nternational Boundary and Water Commission. The goal of the Colorado
River Basin Salinity Conlrol Program is to offset the effects of water resource development in the
Colorado River basin. To maintain these levels, the salinity control program must eliminate
1.48 million lOllS of salt loading annually from the Colorado River by 20] 5. To date, only 7] 7,000 Ions