Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />~ <br />w <br />w <br />'-" <br /> <br />(4) There would be miscellaneous changes to various <br />provisions of Title II, which changes are needed to <br />clarifiy the authorities and procedures for the <br />execution of the salinity control program. <br /> <br />Colorado has a major interest in S. 752. First, we are <br />working together with the other states and the federal government <br />to address the salinity problem through the agreed upon basinwide <br />approach While we continue to develop our compact apportioned <br />waters. Secondly, Colorado is the state in which: (1) three of <br />the six newly authorized and two of the already authorized <br />projects are located, (2) a large portion of the Department of <br />Agriculture on-farm program will be carried out, (3) much of the <br />land in the basin which is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau <br />of Land Management is located, and (4) some of the larger sources <br />of saline water for industrial use are found. <br /> <br />In light of the fact that a very large portion of the <br />salinity control program occurs in Colorado, local water users <br />have taken a particular interest in the provisions of S. 752. I <br />can report to you their general support for this legislation, <br />although there are certain details yet to be resolved on the <br />specific projects and programs in Colorado. However, we <br />anticipate that these details can be worked out to the mutual <br />satisfaction of all involved. <br /> <br />Indeed, this legislation is needed in order that these <br />matters can be resolved. For example, the on-farm program <br />carried out to date in the Grand Valley in Colorado has proceeded <br />on the basis of existing authorities not tailored to the needs of <br />the salinity control program. S. 752 would specifically <br />authorize the on-farm component of the salinity control program, <br />thereby providing a statutory framework within which to solve <br />previously encountered problems. <br /> <br />Another example is the provision which S. 752 makes for the <br />replacement of incidental wildlife values. The 1974 Act did not <br />give authority to the Bureau of Reclamation to implement <br />replacement measures When constructing salinity control units. <br />This has led to some misunderstanding among interested parties <br />and agencies as to what could and should be done. S. 752 <br />clarifies this matter and will provide the basis for resolving <br />such issues in the future. <br /> <br />In summary. Colorado supports the passage of S. 752. We <br />urge your expeditious action in reporting this bill favorably to <br />the full committee with the one requested change. <br /> <br />gl <br /> <br />-3- <br />