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'::::'l -..J c.n N COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UINTAH COUNTY OFFICE .A. 152 East 100 North !!!I Telephone Vernal. UT 84078 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY 781-5452 r- "~~ E C ;: '. " i f, ij r:!-'";'-'~-- . fi"") I"l NOV I 7 1994 November 15, 1994 ~- .. . ~ 'Tf:"R r;'t-""';'::-;:t- .....-'; _I " 0UU" .....- Mr. Larry Linser Chairman, Colorado River Salinity Control Council Dear Mr. Linser: I would like to submit the following comments to the CRSC council. I work for Utah State University Extension Service in the uinta Basin where my assignment is to provide information and education in Water Resources and Water Quality. The salinity control program in the uinta Basin has been successful in improving water quality. According to the Soil Conservation Service of the USDA, salt loading has been reduced by 70,000 tons per year. This improvement has been confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey, which has reported a downward trend in the salinity of the Duchesne River. This has been accomplished by improving irrigation efficiencies 40 to 60 percent. The program has also been popular with farmers. Much of the popularity has to do with the increased yields, improved water distribution and labor savings which have come with improved irrigation systems. While these impacts are not primary goals of salinity control, they are the incentives which entice farmers to invest their own money to improve water quality. Since 1980, producers in the uinta Basin have invested more than $15 million of their own money for salinity control. Currently there are 150 producers in the uinta Basin with $10 million in cost share assistance on the waiting list. I understand that salinity levels at the Hoover, Parker, and Imperial stations have been at Or below the established criteria for several years. However, even at these levels, damages are substantial to Colorado River water users both in the Colorado River Basin States and in Mexico. Any additional water development will only increase the need for salinity control. The severe reduction in funding during fiscal 1995 will have a detrimental effect on salinity control. But perhaps more important, any further reduction could kill the program here in the uinta Basin. We have interest and expertise that may be lost if funding is not restored. -~-"''''''--,._-"._~,.,~.~,~'"j~=~j\ ~ender. color, rehglOn. national ongm or di'iability ! L ____....."J. ~ -:"l ,.~ ;'--.,-: nF ': .-..:~.. "-<:...~jl;r:s