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<br />1995 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />o basin-wide are implemented and adequately funded to meet water quality objectives ofP,L. 93- <br />-.] <br />C'J 320. <br />CJt <br /> <br />Funding for the Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service (CREES) is <br />administered by NRCS, The CREES provides educational services and facilitates information <br />transfer, which are two functions important to the success of the USDA salinity control program, <br />The Council recognizes the important role of CREES and recommends that NRCS adequately <br />fund CREES activities to support salinity control education and project implementation at the <br />local level. <br /> <br />There has been concern over lack of adequate funding being requested and uncertainty within <br />the agency regarding the future of the salinity control program due to the Agriculture <br />Reconciliation Bill that is presently in the House and Senate, If passed, this bill could <br />substantially impact the USDA salinity program by consolidating all agency conservation <br />programs into a single large program, The Council is concerned that if the bill is passed as <br />presently worded it may become extremely difficult to track and support funding for salinity <br />control activities due to the elimination of specific line item appropriations for salt reduction <br />projects, <br /> <br />The USDA program has played a major role in the implementation of cost-effective salinity <br />control projects and will continue to be important to the success of the program, The on-farm <br />program has been one of the most cost-effective components of the basinwide program and the <br />Council recommends that the NRCS strive to insure that this component is not jeopardized, <br /> <br />There has been continued effort to resolve issues that arise between the USDA and the U .S, Fish <br />and Wildlife Service regarding wetlands mitigation, The Council recognizes that progress is <br />being made and supports the idea that both agencies are adopting more flexible policies that can <br />minimize or resolve these issues, The Council recommends NRCS incorporate a wildlife <br />replacement section in the National Handbook for the Colorado Salinity Control Program, <br /> <br />COWRADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br /> <br />6 <br />