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<br />01J2201 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />WATER QUALITY <br /> <br />Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum <br /> <br />Last month it was reported that the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) <br />would be holding a workshop hearing on April 1st to receive comments on the 1996 Triennial <br />Report. The only comment received was that from the Imperiallrrigation District. The State Board <br />has indicated that it will approve the 1996 Triennial Report at its April 17th State Board meeting, <br />then forward it to the Environmental Protection Agency for adoption. Included in the Board folder <br />is a copy of the comment letter submitted by the Imperial Irrigation District. <br /> <br />Within the 1996 Triennial Report, there is a chapter entitled "Water Use and Associated <br />Impacts of Salinity", which discusses the economic impacts due to the long-term use of water with <br />elevated salinity levels. The 1996 Triennial Report estimates the economic loss at approximately <br />$750 million annually. The MWD in conjunction with Reclamation has initiated a study to <br />determine the actual economic impacts currently being experienced within MWD's service territory. <br />MWD recently issued the Phase I Progress Report of the Salinity Management Study. <br /> <br />Following your approval last month, I wrote letters to various Congressmen requesting their <br />support in approving funding for the salinity control programs in the FY 98 budgets of Reclamation, <br />the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management during the Senate and <br />House budget hearings. Included in the Board folder are selected copies of my letters and MWD's. <br />Similar letters were sent to Senators Slade Gorton, Pete Domenici, and Thad Cochran and <br />Representative Ralph Regula. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum) Work Group and Forum will be <br />meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 19th and May 20th respectfully. The meeting notice is <br />included in the Board folder. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />r <br />~" 1"'~._~~.........-.....- <br /> <br />Gerald R. Zimmerman <br />Executive Director <br /> <br />7 <br />