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<br />2378 <br /> <br />DISCUSSION OF RESERVATION UNIT <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />At the outset of this investigation the purpose was to formulate <br />a plan to reduce salt loading of the river resulting from irrigation on <br />the Reservation. As the study progressed it became apparent that <br />the Reservation did not make a salt contribution to the river and that <br />the potential for increasing the net salt retention would be very <br />small. There appeared to be a possibility for a multipurpose project <br />involving irrigation development and salinity control. However, <br />further study indicated that salinity control measures would have <br />little or no lasting beneficial effect on salt discharge from the <br />Reservation. <br />Increasing the water use efficiency on presently irrigated land <br />would cause a short-term decrease in salt discharge. But increased <br />efficiency would facilitate irrigation of additional new land, which <br />would cause an offsetting increase in salt discharge. These condi- <br />tions are inseparably linked because of the water supply situation on <br />the Reservation; in order to achieve ultimate agricultural development <br />a high water use efficiency must be achieved. <br />Viewed from any angle, the result appears the same--the future <br />salt budget with improved irrigation efficiency will probably not be <br />more advantageous to the quality of the river than the present salt <br />budget. Thus salinity control falls out and the remaining project <br />potential lies in more efficient water use and development of new land <br />for agriculture. Consequently, further investigation of the Colorado <br />River Indian Reservation under the Colorado River Water Quality <br />Improvement Program does not appear to be justified at this time. <br />While this is a complete turnabout from the original premise <br />under which the project was initiated, it does not imply continuation <br />of the status quo. The profitability of irrigated agriculture on the <br />Reservation and the apparent eagerness of agricultural companies to <br />lease and develop Tribal lands assure that expansion of irrigation on <br />the Reservation will occur. And the necessity for at least a 71 <br />percent on farm efficiency assures that the general expectations of the <br />Federal salinity control program will be achieved under other Federal <br /> <br />29 <br />