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<br />000;)06 <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />In order to minimize risk, staging or incremental implementation of project <br />features is being used on several units. Staging allows additional time to <br />monitor actual results and minimize investment if certain features are not <br />proved effective. However, by staging portions of projects, the tradeoffs <br />for minimizing risk involve higher final costs, project completion stretchout, <br />and potential project scaledown due to funding constraints and reductions or <br />loss of local water users support. Recent expprience in monitoring the <br />effects of seepage control and collection wells indicates that conclusive <br />evidence is highly subject to masking by normal events, and several years <br />monitoring may be necessary. <br /> <br />There are continuing concerns over the requirements for mitigation of fish <br />and wildlife impacts related to salinity control project features. legisla- <br />tion being proposed by the Forum (Colorado River Basin Salinity Control <br />Forum), if enacted, should resolve most of the issues involved. Other issues <br />related to endangered species, permits, etc., are being addressed on a <br />unit-by-unit study basis. <br /> <br />Some delays have been reported in funding preconstruction planning for <br />salinity control units. All of these delays and problems frustrate the <br />opportunities to cooperate with other agencies, private projects, and local <br />supporters. <br /> <br />BlM WQIP . <br /> <br />BlM has deferred work on Sinbad Valley. <br /> <br />Assistant Secretary Carruthers informed the Forum that point source units on <br />BlM lands should be funded by BLM rather than by Reclamation. Based on this <br />decision, work should continue towards completion of a Memorandum of Under- <br />standing between Reclamation and BlM for programwide specific site activities. <br />BLM has identified several other geographic areas where specific land treat- <br />ment and management salinity control efforts can reduce salt contributions <br />from Federal land to the river system. <br /> <br />USDA WQIP <br /> <br />In order to expedite the concepts provided in previous legislative efforts <br />under S. 2202 by the Forum, the USDA is pursuing legislation to establish a <br />separate salinity control program. They are also establishing a separate <br />funding line item for salinity work in 1984 to accelerate their planning and <br />implementation process. <br /> <br />As a result of deferral of advance planning activities by Reclamation in <br />FY 1983, Reclamation will again experience difficulty in coordinating their <br />construction with USDA implementation activities. Reclamation will continue <br />to work closely with USDA to redevelop a joint management program to help <br />address some of these coordination activities. Intensified pUblic informa- <br />tion activities will be required to keep the public informed about these new <br />discrepancies in program coordination, an explanation of the differences of <br />the various programs, and how Reclamation anticipates they will fit together <br />in a comprehensive program on a unit-by-unit basis at some point in the <br />future. <br /> <br />8 <br />