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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I o 00 I-' W 1998 ANNUAL REPORT this role and urges the USGS to continue to have professional staff available to perform key analyses. The Council is concerned that a USGS Internet web site reports that a major impact of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program is the loss of artificial wetlands. The Advisory Council appreciates the USGS' efforts to distribute information but is concerned about the accuracy ofthis statement and the potential for misinterpretation. The USGS should consult with the Forum on items published regarding the program and requests that the above referenced web site be reviewed in consultation with the Work Group to accurately portray the program. Department of Agriculture (USDA) The Council finds that the recent designation of the Colorado River Basin salinity control program as a "special interest area" by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a very much appreciated and helpful step as the USDA continues administering the salinity control program as an integral component ofthe EQIP program as mandated by Congress, The Council has requested previously that a national priority area be designated for the Colorado River Basin. Administration of this newly created EQIP special interest area will give case in point information to help judge whether or not a special interest area designation is adequate and appropriate. The Council notes that in FY 98 there was spent in the EQIP program approximately $3.5 million ofEQIP funding (including technical assistance) on Colorado River salinity control. The allocation of$4.4 million ofFY 99 funds is a welcomed increase. The Basin states stand ready to up-front cost share in this increased funding. However, this level of funding is still far short of the $12 million annually that the Advisory Council determined was necessary to fully implement the USDA's COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL 11 h