WSPC06215

• File Number: 8272
• Description: Colorado River - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - CRBSCP
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/17/1992
• Author: CRBSCF
• Title: 1992 Colorado River Salinity Issues
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

.,."",,,

e.

e

.

"

O~Z,"l~16

· Farminlrton. New Mexico: The Soil Conservation Service is investigating the opportunity for salinity control.
Early results indicate that this area has promise. The states are anxiously awaiting the report that would give
a comprehensive evaluation, but without additional funding, it appears unlikely that the states can recommend
expansion into this area.

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: Reclamation has the lead responsibility for coordinating and conceptualizing the
federal Salinity Control Program, In addition to this lead role, Reclamation has ongoing construction programs to
reduce salinity going to the Colorado River in the Grand, Paradox, and Uncompahgre Valleys of Colorado, and in
efforts associated with the Dolores project (in Colorado). Reclamation has advised the states that legislation is
needed to raise the ceiling authorized by the Congress in 1974. This need comes about primarily because additional
ceiling dollars were not provided when the salinity control features in the Dolores Project were authorized. It was
once believed that the funds expended at Dolores would be charged against the ceiling for the Dolores water supply
project. The Basin states will be supporting legislation to raise the ceiling.

· Uinta Basin: Reclamation has investigated the opportunity for salinity control in this area of Utah and has found
there are cost-effective opportunities. All reports have been prepared and submitted through the Secretary of
the Interior to OMB, The Basin states believe the Administration should forward a request to the Congress for
authorization of this unit, but it has languished for many months at OMB.

. Price-San Rafael Unit: This unit is, as mentioned above, being jointly investigated with the Department of
Agriculture, It cannot move ahead without authorization for Reclamation to perform its portion of the
construction, The environmental document and the final planning document have been prepared. Legislation
authorizing the project is needed.

. Glenwood Sorings. Colorado: The Bureau of Reclamation has received a proposal from the private sector to
combine a desalinization effort with a cogeneration power plant. Salts would be removed without the necessity
of federal funds being provided for construction, It is believed that legislation authorizing the payment to the
private entity for salt removed will be needed,

. Farminlrton. New Mexico: The Bureau of Reclamation has been investigating the opportunity of lining canals
within the Hammond Project Area. Preliminary results from the investigative effort appear promising.
Legislation would be needed to authorize construction.

. Lower Virgin Vallev, Nevada: A plan of study is being prepared by Reclamation, and the Basin states are
prepared to support a supplemental appropriation so that an investigation can move ahead, The effort would
determine if moderately saline waters can be desalinated at a reasonable cost to remove salt from the Colorado
River System while providing a water supply for the Clark County area of Nevada.

. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (ELM): The BLM is the major landowner and land manager in the Upper
Colorado River Basin. Much salt is contributed from these public lands which are often used for livestock grazing,
recreation, oil production, mining, hunting, and general public use. There is information that would indicate that
good land management practices may significantly and cost-effectively reduce salt contributions from lands which
are now eroding.

. The Congress has appropriated, with continued support and encouragement from the states, about $800,000 for
the BLM to investigate these opportunities. This funding is not adequate. The BLM has identified the need
for, and the Basin states support, the Congress appropriating $7.3 million this year.

. Utah: More than 200 watersheds in Utah have been investigated, The most promising dozen watersheds with
respect to salinity control have been identified. If implementation funds were made available, we now have the
target areas to implement and demonstrate the salinity control opportunities which are believed to be available
on public lands, There are many side benefits which include less erosion, less silt contribution to the river
system, enhanced grazing, and improved wildlife habitat.

. Colorado: A state/federal team has been assembled in Colorado to perform the same evaluations which were
accomplished in the State of Utah and select, from a few hundred watersheds, the most promising salt-laden
watersheds.

. Wvoming: Wyoming has not yet, through federal- and state-agency cooperation, assembled a team as was done
in Utah and Colorado, However, there is an ongoing effort involving state and federal agencies demonstrating
enhancement to watersheds which can occur with proper management.

2