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0007"37 . Reclamation Accomplishments Reclamation's Role - In 1974, the Salinity Control Act charged Reclamation with leadership of the program, Is this role still appropriate or should it change? What role should Reclamation play in future salinity control activities? Most responses support Reclamation's participation and leadership role. The Salinity Program is one of the first basinwide, nonpoint source control programs in the country, Reclamation should continue its program where appropriate and cost effective. But, more importantly, Reclamation should share its experience and capabilities to assist other agencies in developing their programs toward cost-effective solutions. Effectiveness - How might Reclamation's program become more cost effective in the future? Would programs such as the current USDA and BLM programs be more effective at achieving further reductions in salinity? Most responses supported the Inspector General's recommendation that Reclamation should/seek broader authorities, like those given to the USDA in the I984 amendment to the Act. The Salinity Program was designed to control salinity using a basinwide approach (to find and implement salinity control where it is most effective). . The Inspector General noted that the Act directed the Secretary to give preference to implementing salinity control measures which are cost effective, However, the IG concluded that Reclamation's authorization process impedes the Bureau's ability to implement cost-effective salinity control measures in a timely manner, Local Programs - In the past, the Reclamation program has been construction oriented and federally initiated, One potential approach might be for Reclamation to request submission of proposed salinity reduction projects from non-federal interests, The proposals could be ranked based on cost effectiveness (cost per ton of salt removed to the federal government), Federal funds could be provided to the most cost-effective proposals, Most responses did not respond directly to this issue, though most recommended that projects or increments be ranked for implementation based on cost effectiveness, Most comments on this topic supported the concept of locally implemented programs as an option for the program, It was noted that local implementation of the Lower Gunnison Winter Water program has been very successful at reducing costs (by 40 %) and improving local cooperation in the program, Programmatic authorities would allow Reclamation to adapt/evolve tofwhatever method results in the most cost effective projects, . 27