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1"-:> o h.J ,.... ----e -e II. INTRODUCTION A. General USDA involvement in the CRBSCP started in the early 1970's. As the United Sates and Mexico began to deal with the international problem of increased salinity concentrations in the Colorado River in the late 1960's, it became increasingly evident that much of the problem (and subsequently much of the solution) was associated with irrigated agricultural lands. Because of the extensive experience, knowledge, and technical expertise in agricultural irrigation, USDA's eventual involvement in addressing the Colorado River salinity problems was inevitable. USDA has become increasingly involved in a somewhat evoluntionary process. Initially, USDA participation was regarded more as consultive and supportive to the salinity control initiatives of USDI and the program leadership of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BR). As the causes of salinity problems became more clearly defined and the solutions to salinity control were more clearly identified, it became clear that onfarm agricultural salinity control would be very cost-effective, and a logical solution to solving a major part of the salinity problem. B. The Colorado River Basin . The Colorado River Basin encompasses portions of seven States: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Arizona. (See Figure II-l). The river is 1,400 miles long, with'its headwaters in Wyoming . and Colorado. It empties into the Gulf of California and serves some ,14.5 million people on its way. It is one of the most physically developed and regulated rivers in the Nation. In 1964, the waters were totally consumed and flows no longer reached the Gulf of California. The river flow is apportioned among Upper and Lower Basin States and the Republic of Mexico. There are some 2.6 million acres of private irrigated cropland and some 44 million acres of nonfederal forest and rangeland within the United States' portion of the Basin. Because waters of the Colorado River serve as the primary life-line for much of the seven Basin States, there are many different uses for the Colorado River. Irrigation water is the major use; however, many municipal and industrial users are dependent upon Colorado River water. There are numerous hydro-electric power plants on the Colorado River. Therefore, the Colorado River goes through a continuous use and reuse cycle which involves irrigation, hydro-electric power, and municipal and industrial uses. C. The Salinity Problem Salinity problems in the arid and semiarid areas of the United States are a critical concern to those involved in the management of our natural resources. The salinity problem can take two forms. One is salinity buildup in the soil root zone that reduces or precludes an economic return from growing agricultual crops. The other is excessive salinity in groundwater, lakes, streams, and rivers that reduces or precludes their use for irrigation, domestic, muniCipal, and industrial water supply or for fish and wildlife habitat. Specialists agree that improved irrigation management, in most circumstances, offers an effective approach towards reducing the contribution to salinity in river systems from irrigation. Frequently, it is the most cost-effective option available. ;; , :~