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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />interpretation of the Forum's recommended water quality standards for <br /> <br /> <br />salinity. The Forum's recommendation provides for temporary increases <br /> <br />above tne numeric criteria if control measures to offset these increases <br /> <br />are included in a plan of implementation. This concept evolved to address <br /> <br />two basic concerns - the hydrologic variability and its relation to <br /> <br />salinity concentration, and the fact that development activities might pro- <br /> <br />ceed ahead of salinity control projects. Since Colorado does not propose <br /> <br />to adopt the Forum's implementation plan, the provision ,for temporary in- <br /> <br />creases is not properly qualified by control measures and significantly <br /> <br />detracts from the numeric criteria. EPA's prior approval of the temporary <br /> <br />increase provision was based on the concept that a commitment to basinwide <br /> <br />implementation activities would provide the needed assurances that the num- <br /> <br />eric criteria would be maintained. Without this tie to implementation the <br /> <br />allowance of increases becomes an unacceptable provision. <br /> <br />Second, a phrase in the sentence on pages 2 and 3 of the Proposed <br /> <br />Colorado River Salinity Standards or Criteria is presented out of context <br /> <br />with prior salinity control reommendations and requirements. The sentence <br />in question reads: <br /> <br />"The provision is that the standards shall be re- <br />viewed for the purpose of modifying and adopting <br />standards consistent with the plan so that the Basin <br />states may continue to develop their compact- <br />apportioned waters while providing the best practi- <br />cable water quality in the Colorado River Basin." <br /> <br />This language is drawn from the Forum's provision on periodic review of <br /> <br />the recommended criteria and plan of implementation. <br /> <br />The phrase ". . .while providing the best practicable water quality <br /> <br />in the Colorado River Basin," appearing now as part of the salinity <br /> <br />-3- <br /> <br />1419 <br />