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<br />. ., <br /> <br />000277 <br /> <br />1998 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />The Council wishes to conclude this portion of its report on a very positive note, Increased funding <br />and the designation of a special interest area reflect recent action by the USDA that was very much <br />needed and appreciated, The Council commends the USDA officials instrumental in making these <br />decisions, It is recognized that there will be continued criticism of the EQIP program's <br />implementation until adequate funds are provided by the Congress. The Council will recommend <br />to the Congress not only that EQIP program funding nationwide be restored to the original $200 <br />million amount but that also the Congress consider increased funding. <br /> <br />V,S, Fish & Wildlife Service (VSFWS) <br /> <br />The Council recognizes USFWS's important role in the implementation of the salinity control <br /> <br />program and appreciates its efforts, The Council now requests that USFWS review the opportunities <br /> <br /> <br />to expand wildlife mitigation banking. <br /> <br />Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) <br /> <br />The salinity control program is, for the most part, a non-point source water pollution control <br />program, It is perhaps the largest and most successful non-point source program in the United <br />States, The Council finds that EP A should be more active in supporting the program, This could <br />occur in a number of ways, Regional Administrators could be more vocal in telling the success of <br />the effort and in urging the involved federal agencies and the Congress to give needed support and <br />to seek needed funding, EPA could ensure consistency with federal agencies' actions, the Fomm <br />and the states' non-point source programs, An example of this may be actions by the Basin's <br />largest land manager, the BLM, The EP A could also help resolve disputes like those that might arise <br />because of efforts ofEPA to treat Indian tribes as states under the Clean Water Act. A potential for <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISOR Y COUNCIL <br /> <br />14 <br />