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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />March 10-11, 1998 <br />Agenda Item 18d <br />Page 3 of 3 <br /> <br />examine either the numeric criteria or the NPDES policies, and in each review has concluded that <br />neither should be changed. There are some early indications that the 1999 review may involve a <br />more detailed look at the continued appropriateness of the current numeric criteria. The Forum's <br />Work Group has been informed that both Califomia and Arizona will be conferring with water users <br />to ascertain their interest in lowering the numeric criteria and in effect requiring the salinity program <br />to become more aggressive in reducing TDS levels. Some of the water providers in the Lower Basin <br />have experienced problems with user acceptability of Colorado River water currently being imported <br />to their areas with salinities which are below the current numeric criteria and are also re-assessing <br />the economic impacts of using Colorado River water which meets the current numeric criteria. The <br />USBR is in the process of updating its model of agricultural salinity damages in the Lower Basin <br />and this may provide further information on the validity of the current numeric criteria as well as <br />support for increased funding ofthe existing federal control activities. <br /> <br />In addition there are concerns, expressed in Colorado and perhaps elsewhere, that the salinity control <br />program should make a specific effort to target high selenium levels that occur in portions of the <br />Basin. Selenium is a trace contaminant which can be toxic to fish and wildlife at fairly low levels <br />and is often derived from the same soils and geology that cause salt loading in the Basin. Thus there <br />may need to be some consideration and analysis of adding a selenium control component to the <br />CRBSCP during the 1999 review. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />These items are informational only and staff has no recommendation, but will be available to answer <br />questions at the meeting or any other time. <br /> <br />cc: David Robbins <br />David Holm <br />Jack Barnett <br /> <br />c:>l;llMIUJ'.II.IJlOAIt1I~IAAIlI""""" <br />_...-.i.J,I_ <br />