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<br />000274 <br /> <br />1998 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />Department of Agriculture (USDA) <br /> <br />The Council finds that the recent designation of the Colorado River Basin salinity control program <br />as a "special interest area" by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a very much appreciated and <br />helpful step as USDA continues administering the salinity control program as an integral component <br />part of the EQIP program as mandated by Congress. The Council has requested previously that a <br />national priority area be designated for the Colorado River Basin. Administration of this newly <br />created EQlP special interest area will give case in point information to help judge whether or not <br />a special interest area designation is adequate and appropriate, <br /> <br />The Council notes that in FY 98 there was spent in the EQlP program approximately $3,5 million <br /> <br />ofEQIP funding (including technical assistance) on Colorado River salinity control. The allocation <br /> <br /> <br />of $4.4 million ofFY 99 funds is a welcomed increase. The Basin states stand ready to up,front <br /> <br />cost share in this increased funding, However, this level of funding is still far short of the $12 <br /> <br />million that the Advisory Council determined was necessary to fully implement USDA's portion of <br /> <br />the salinity control efforts in FY 98. The $12 million level was identified in the 1997 Advisory <br /> <br /> <br />Council report and is again recommended in this 1998 report, This funding recommendation is <br /> <br /> <br />necessary to move forward with the agreed to plan of implementation contained in the 1996 Review. <br /> <br />Water Quality Standards for Salinity. Colorado River Svstem. June 1996, The Review's <br /> <br /> <br />conclusions, recommendations and the plan of implementation contained therein, required by the <br /> <br /> <br />Clean Water Act, were formally supported by USDA testimony at public hearings as the Review was <br /> <br /> <br />offered to the public for comment. The Forum formally adopted the Review after significant <br /> <br /> <br />consultation with federal agencies, including representatives of USDA, It has been formally adopted <br /> <br /> <br />by each of the Basin states and sent to EPA for approval. The plan of implementation cannot be <br /> <br /> <br />fully carried out without the fully anticipated support of USDA. USDA's on-farm program offers <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br /> <br />11 <br />