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1994 ANNUAL REPORT o -.J w::- I\:) of gage sites in the basin. Furthermore, the Council hopes the continuation of these efforts is not compromised by the undertaking of new costly water-quality study initiatives. However, the ongoing collection of basic water quality data in the Colorado River system is essential. Department of Agriculture The Department of Agriculture is also undergoing a significant reorganization. Prior to its reorganization, the USDA had a two-pronged strategy for implementing the on-farm Program. The Soil Conservation Service was responsible for the design and implementation, while the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service was responsible for cost-share funding, participant selection criteria, and contract administration. With the reorganization, these functions will be combined under the new Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Council supports this consolidation of function; hopefully it will provide a more cost- effective program. The Council is concerned, however, that due to personnel reductions accompanying the reorganization, the basin-wide coordinator position previously located in Denver will not be continued. This position has been a critical element in coordinating and facilitating the implementation of USDA's portion of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program. The Council strongly recommends that USDA consider assigning this overall coordination responsibility to one of the Upper Colorado River Basin State offices. The Council appreciates the efforts of Dave Mason at the Washington Office level, but is concerned that given his other duties, the USDA salinity effort will suffer. The Council has already seen the impact of these changes in terms of the Administration's support for continued USDA funding for the program. The onfarm program has proved to be one of the most cost- effective components of the basin-wide salinity program. The Council hopes this effectiveness is not compromised by the lack of coordination and leadership. The USDA program continues to receive significant support from farmers across the Basin. The Council believes this support will begin to erode if adequate funding levels can not be maintained. The Council recommends that NRCS work closely with the Forum's Work Group to ensure that this important cost- COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL 5 .1 ,;