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. . . .. M~~~~ 7 III. Federal Pro~rams Resulting in Salvage HB 91-1154 directed that this analysis be limited to "water salvage which may result from federal progrllms, including salinity contro!." This limitation probably reflects the facuhat irrigation efficiency improvements are already being installed in the Colorado River basin by the Federal Salinity Control Program. Participants in the salinity program were uncertain as to the effect these improvements would have on their water rights. HB 91-1110 Was an attempt to clarify the status of their water rights after salinity improvements are made, and to grant participants a state recognized right to claim and transfer water no longer necessary for diversion as a result of the salinity program. Another reason for limiting the salvage analysis to that resulting from federal programs may have beeh a belief that a saved water right could thereby be limited to the We&tern Slope. The major U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) projects, including the Colorado-Big Thompson and Fry-Ark, make their diversions on the West Slope. During debate on. HB 91-1110 it became clear that the bill would be more acceptable if it did not apply statewide. The Arkansas and South Platte River basins were presented as extremely over-approprillted areas with extensive reliance on return flows. By excluding these basins, but avoiding the appearance of special legislation, the bill's chances were presumed to be improved. Federal programs do have significant potential for generating saved or salvaged water as described below. The extent of those programs is very broad however, potentially reaching all corners of the State. A. Federal Salinity Program The Federal Salinity Control program was developed as a cooperative effort of state and federal agencies to manage high salt concentrations in the Colorado River. Salinity was a concern because of delivery obligations to Mexico, and also because it could interfere with beneficial uses of water in the basin states, particularly in California and Arizona. The program was established by the Salinity Control Act of 1974 and amended in 1984. 43 U.S.C. Sections 1571-1599. The primary federal salinity activities with regards to irrigation are construction of improved delivery systems by the USBR, and improved on-fimn irrigation systems designed and partially funded by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Participation in either of these programs is entirely voluntary. In general USBR is lining large canals and replacing leaky main ditches. SCS is helping farmers to better manage and deliver water once it arrives on-farm with sprinkler systems and lined farm laterals. B,oth activities are designed to reduce salt load into the Colorado River by reducing the deep percolation which causes highly saline return flows in certain geographic areas. In Colorado those areas include the Grand Valley on the Colorado River, the Uncompahgre Valley in the lower Gunnison Basin, and the McElmo Creek area near Cortez, Colorado. The salihity control program also has procedures for addressing municipal and industrial salt discharges through state water quality regulation. ^<' '" 'f , 10 . . -'- ':'-",~~;; .-.'-, -'\",- :-