WSPC02444

• File Number: 8272
• Description: Colorado River - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - CRBSCP
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/31/1997
• Title: 1997 Annual Report of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - Draft
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

000768

DRAFT

1997 ANNUAL REPORT

. The Council subscribes to the implementation plan described in the 1996 Review. However,

because of the uncertainties created by the changes occurring in the federal programs, the Council

is concerned that insufficient funding will cause delays in the implementation of salinity control

reduction measures as described in the 1996 Review thereby increasing the risk of exceeding the

numeric criteria in the future. It is imperative that the federal agencies vigorously pursue adequate

funding for salinity control projects, including appropriate funding for the operation and maintenance

of completed projects, in the Administration's budget request each year and encourage Congress to

appropriate the funds necessary to carry out the salinity control activities set forth in the 1996

Review in a timely manner.

Bureau of Reclamation

On July 28, I995, Reclamation's Salinity Control Program was amended by the signing of Public

Law 104-20. Under this new authority, Reclamation no longer develops and implements its own

. salinity control projects but requests proposals from other entities for salinity control projects.

Reclamation then evaluates proposals. selects appropriate projects and provides a portion of the

funds for implementation. The Council appreciates Reclamation's willingness to include members

of the Forum's Work Group on the committee that evaluates and selects the projects to be funded

and implemented. The Council feels this enhances the cooperative relationship between

Reclamation. the Forum and the Council.

The Council is pleased that the current Administration continues to financially support Reclamation's
basin-wide salinity control program and hopes this support will recognize the importance of
including sufficient funding to operate and maintain completed projects. It should be noted that the
Basin states support this program with a 30% up-front cost sharing.

The Council encourages Reclamation to reassert its role as lead federal agency and reconvene the

federal work group to provide a forum for discussing and evaluating the direction and rate of

.

COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL

3