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<br />H::lo <br />I-" <br />I- <br /><.0 <br /> <br />Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts <br />1500-1508). For example, EPA can comment on potential salinity impacts, when appropriate, <br />when reviewing EIS's for grazing and land management, recreational developments, mining and <br />water development projects. In addition, EPA encourages the development of mitigation measures <br />for adverse impacts to satisfy state and Forum policies for salinity control and through CW A <br />Section 401 certifications for activities subject to federal permitting actions. The Forum policy <br />encouraging the use of water with higher total dissolved solids for industrial purposes is being <br />supported primarily through NEPA review responsibilities. <br /> <br />The basis for wetland protection and mitigation is established in the regulations for <br />compliance with NEPA, Section 404 of the CWA, Executive Order 11990, and USDA policy. <br />However, preserving irrigation-induced wetlands and reducing salt loading to the Colorado River <br />may present conflicts between authorizing legislation and other regulatory programs. A portion <br />of the salt load in the Colorado River system is attributed to seepage and deep percolation from <br />leaking irrigation canals and laterals, and inefficient on-farm irrigation systems and water <br />management. Some of these inefficient irrigation systems and practices are the source of water <br />for many of the wetlands associated with salinity control units. As seepage from irrigation <br />systems is reduced and irrigation efficiencies are improved, some portion of these <br />irrigation-induced wetlands may be impacted or lost.. The concept of replacing irrigation-induced <br />wetlands and the need to reduce the salt load in the Colorado River presents difficult choices <br />between environmental values of improved water quality and wetland preservation. Landowners <br />are volunteering to implement wildlife habitat practices, including wetland replacement, as was <br />contemplated by the Salinity Control Act. EPA utilizes NEPA review and other types of <br />coordination with state and federal agencies as the means to participate in wetland assessment, <br />monitoring, replacement and reporting activities. <br /> <br />Section 319 funds have been appropriated since Fiscal Year 1990 for the states to <br />implement nonpoint source water pollution control programs. EPA encourages the states to <br />consider salinity control benefits as they make decisions on Section 319 funding for their priority <br />watersheds. <br /> <br />EPA Region vm administers the mc permit for the Paradox Well salinity control project <br />in Colorado. <br /> <br />4-14 <br />