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<br /> <br /> <br />w <br />(.0 <br />o <br />"....\ <br /> <br />RESPONSE <br /> <br />The Forum recognizes the critical importance of obtaining" <br />waivers to the $100,000 limitation for onfarm salinity control <br />contracts in order to achieve the salinity reduction objectives <br />for the USDA Colorado River Salinity Control (CRSC) units included <br />in the 1990 Plan of Implementation. The physical factors, number <br />of irrigators, and farm unit size vary from one CRSC unit to <br />another and those considerations indicate that waivers are <br />essentia~ for the implementation of sa~inity reduction practices <br />on several units but particularly on the Big Sandy River Unit to <br />reach meaningful levels. Further, the Forum understands that the <br />$400,000 limit on cost share payments that may be approved per <br />entity without a waiver for installing off-farm canals, laterals <br />and related salinity reduction practice is like~y to affect the <br />potential for implementing the Moapa Val~ey Unit. The Forum is <br />concerned about inaction on the waiver applications and will <br />continue to press for Agricultural Stabi~ization and Conservation <br />Service (ASCS) approval of these waiver applications in accordance <br />with the ASCS Handbook for the CRSC program. <br /> <br />The Forum is pleased to note that on October 26, 1990, the <br />Secretary of Agriculture advised, through notice in the Federal <br />Register (copy attached as Appendix A), of his certification that <br />CRSC cost share payments have been determined to be primarily for <br />conserving soil and water resources and, if the Internal Revenue <br />Service tax code tests are met, can be excluded from the cost share <br />payment recipients' ordinary taxable income to be reported on their <br />tax returns. The Forum believes that the Secretaries' certifica- <br />tion was appropriate and is pleased that this long-standing matter <br />has now been resolved. <br /> <br />The Forum is supportive of the continuing discussions and <br />actions being taken by the Soil Conservation Service, involving <br />State of Wyoming agencies and the Big Sandy Conservation District, <br />to remove impediments related to the electrical power supply and <br />local cost share assistance. <br /> <br />7 <br />