WSPC05946 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . I Out'lJ33 that salinity may go above 1,000 mgIL at Imperial Dam (and) . . . tlle mcan of 882 mgfL is above the nwneric eri\cria level of 879 mg/L. 77tis is because there is not currentlv enough salinity control to offset water d<!Ve/opment." (emphasis added) 1llese figures provide the basis and impetus for tlle lID's request for an accelerated Program implementation schedule. 1llC Review also notes that, based on available data, "the measured salinity will no1 exceed the numeric cri1eria during the next three years". The lID disagrees with this conclusion. The Program allows for 1emporary increases due 10 the completion of addi1ional water development projects provided "appropriate control measures" arc planned, even if they are not implemented at the time of development. However, the Dislrict docs no1 feci that appropriate funding and/or scheduling currendy exists to implement these controls. 1be potential impact of the Program's failure to achieve targcted goals in a timely manner is staggering. Damages to the Lower Basin will exceed an cslima1ed $1 billion by 2015 if further salinity con1rolmeasures are not implemented. The damages to the lID and its agricultural community are briefly documented in the Review, and are primarily a resul1 of lower crop yields, increased irrigation management costs, and additional drainage requirements, as well as increased water use required to maintain a salt balance. Also touched upon, and of perhaps even more significance, are the problems that our irrigation dislrict faces as a result of increasingly strict regulatory restrietions on our drain water quality. As the salinity of our inflow waters increase, we also experience a subsequen1 decrease in drain \wi1er quality and ultimately a degradation in the waters of the Salton Sea drainage basin. While no recent studies have been conducted to pinpoin1 the true magnitude of the damages resulting from the River's increased salinity, the use of data from previous years (I 976-1985) would indicate an annual loss on the order of $700 million (one-third of which is though1 to be agriculturally-based) Due to tlle age of this data, there also appears to be an urgent need 10 update dus infonnation for the 198610 1995 time period in order 10 develop a more accurate and current eS1imate of the potential econonuc impacts resulting from increased salinily Icvels. As noted in this Review, federal funding has been redueed in rccen1 years (since 1994). Combined with the Program's transi1ion to a basin-\\;de planning approach, it appears 10 the lID that the Program is not only off- course, but slowing to a pace dlllt \\;11 cause irrevocable harm and econonuc damage to the lID, its waler users, and its surrounding communities. The liD is thankful d1ll1 the Colorado River Basin's hydrology has been favorable since the Program has gotten off-track, bu1 this can only mitigate the effects of salinity for SO long. It is with great regard to the Forum's past efforts and accomplislunents that the lID requests the acceleration of planned salinity control projects and the update of the 1988 Bureau of Reclamation report analyzing the estimated economic impacts of Colorado River salinity. We are well aware oftlle fWlding rcstrictions and difficulties that most public agencies are facing in the current economy, and sincerely appreciate all of the Forum's achievements to dale. It is however, in our consumer's besl interest to actively promote and encourage the timely attainment of the Forum's targeted salinity goals. Once again, Ict us 1hank you for the opportunily 10 comment on the 1996 Review and voice both our support and concern for the exis1ing Program. Sincerely, !:!/;C~ General Manager 10 s: IT/NAtAl fSCISALTR 1-1-V J _tA7 l'age2of2