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<br />002039 <br /> <br />I <br />-, <br /> <br />irrigation efficiency improvements were already being installed in the Colorado River basin <br />by the Federal Salinity Control Program. Participants in tbe _program were uncertain as to <br />the effect these improvements would have on tbeir water rights. HE 91-1110 was an <br />attempt to clarify the status of their water rights after improvements, and to grant salinity <br />participants a state recognized right to claim and transfer any saved water produced through <br />the salinity program. <br /> <br />Another reason for limiting the salvage analysis to that resulting from federal programs <br />may have been a belief that salvaged water could thereby be limited to the Western Slope. <br />The major federal U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) projects, including the Colorado-Big <br />Thompson and Fry-Ark, make their diversions on the West Slope. During debate on HE <br />91-1110 it became clear that the bill would be more acceptable if it did not apply stateWide. <br />The Arkansas and South Platte River basins were presented as extremely over-appropriated <br />areas witb extensive reliance on return flows. By excluding these basins, but avoiding the <br />appearance of special legislation, the bill's chances were presumed to be improved. <br /> <br />Federal programs do have significant potential for generating saved or salvaged water as <br />described below. However, the extent of those programs is potentially very broad, reaching <br />all corners of the State. <br /> <br />A Federal Salinity Program <br /> <br />The Federal Salinity Control program was developed as a cooperative effort of state and <br />federal agencies to manage high salt concentrations in the Colorado River. These were a <br />concern because of delivery obligations to Mexico, and also because high salinity levels <br />interfere with beneficial uses of water in the basin states, particularly California and <br />Arizona. The program was established by the Salinity Control Act of 1974 and amended <br />in 1984. 43 U.S.c. Sections 1571-1599. The primary federal salinity activities with regards <br />to irrigation are constructed of improved delivery systems by tbe USBR, and improved on <br /> <br />12 <br />