WSP01158

• File Number: 8272.300.50
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/31/2002
• Title: Annual Report on the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - 2002
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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100] AIH7S0RY COlINCIL REPORT

MANAGEMENT A>"D BUDGET RECOMlIIENDA TIONS

The funding levels contained in this report are consistent with and support the conclusions regarding
the funding required to accomplish the Plan of implementation adopted by the Forum in its 2002
Review. Unlike other federal programs, the salinity control program provides a significant amount
of non. federal cost sharing. The states provide 30% cost share from the Upper Basin Fund and
Lower Basin Development Fund. In addition to the states cost share, the local farmers cost share
in the USDA on-farm program. The non-federal participants (the states, landowners, irrigation
districts, etc.) again stand ready in FY 2003 to contribute their share of the program costs as an up-
front payment. The Council is pleased with the increased funding made available to the USDA in
the new Farm Bill. The Council is concerned that unless Reclamation funding is increased for
Reclamation portions of the plan, Reclamation's efforts may lag behind USDA in geographic areas
where coordinated implementation is essential. The potential impact of such a lag would be that the
overall implementation of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program may slow down. The
Council urges Reclamation to vigorously pursue adequate funding so as to allow timely
implementation of their portion of the program.

Table 1 contains the Council's recommendations for the federal cost share for FY 2004 and FY
2005. These funds are for the construction activities necessary to meet the program objectives as
set forth in the plan of implementation. The Council will transmit these recommendations to the
Congress and will actively seek the Congressional support necessary to maintain adequate funding
for the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control program. The Council wishes to emphasize that
funding delays and amounts that are not in accordance with these recommendation wiH render the
program unable to meet the salinity control program's objectives, as measured in tons of salt loading
reduction, set forth in the plan of implementation.

Again, it should be noted that the funding recommendations contained in Table 1 are for the federal
portion of project implementation costs only. The Council urges the agencies to provide adequate
funding to support operation and maintenance, technical and education assistance, monitoring and
evaluation of implemented projects and planning for future projects. The Council recommends that
funds for these activities are provided in addition to the funds recommended in Table 1.

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