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<br />---.~ -~0L2323 ... <br /> <br />USDA ROLE 14 <br /> <br />. the NPDES permits, and <br /> <br />. Environmental Impact <br />Statement (EIS) review. <br /> <br />Except for EIS review, primary <br />implementation of these programs <br />is generally delegated to the States; <br />however, EP A retains oversight and <br />approval responsibilities. <br /> <br />Additional EP A activities include <br />program support and guidance for <br />State and Forum salinity control <br />activities. Examples of these <br />activities include testimony before <br />Congress in support of the <br />cooperative, basin-wide salinity <br />control effort; and working with <br />individ ual States to assist in <br />implementing State salinity control <br />activities such as in the nonpoint <br />source management programs <br />currently being developed by the <br />States. <br /> <br />EP A reviews all environmental <br />statements and comments on <br />Interior and USDA environmental <br />statements on salinity control <br />projects because of its responsi- <br />bilities under the <:;Jean Air Act and <br />the National Environmental Policy <br />Act. EP A encourages alternatives <br />that minimize and mitigate adverse <br />salinity impacts through various <br />approaches including wetlands <br />protection, water conservation, and <br />industrial use of saline water. EP A <br />has also been working with <br />Reclamation on salinity control <br />projects where underground <br />disposal options are considered. <br /> <br />USDA ROLE <br /> <br />Numerous agencies within <br />USDA are involved in Colorado <br />River salinity control activities as <br />designated by the Secretary of <br />Agriculture to carry out the <br />provisions of Public Law 93-320 as <br />amended by Public Law 98-569. <br />Specifically, section 202(c) <br />authorizes USDA to establish a <br />voluntary cooperative salinity ') <br />control program with landownerI' <br />improve onfarm water manage- <br />ment. Improvements include <br />related irrigation laterals and <br />reduction of erosion on private land. <br />Major USDA activities include: <br /> <br />. Irrigation salt source studies <br />(SCS) <br /> <br />. Project implementation <br />including: <br /> <br />. Technical assistance (seS) <br />. Financial assistance (AseS) <br />. Educational and informa- <br />tional assistance (ES) <br /> <br />. Research and demonstration <br />(ARS, CSRS) <br /> <br />. Monitoring and evaluation <br />(SCS) <br /> <br />Poor water management systems <br />on irrigated agricultural lands have <br />resulted in excessive distribution <br />system seepage, overirrigation, low <br />irrigation efficiencies, excessive <br />deep percolation, and high surface <br />