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<br />, f <br /> <br />C.:J <br />,~::) <br />~... <br />co <br />1'\;' However, by relying on the Federal government to tackle the salinity <br />C.:l problem, we seem to be drifting toward the first option. If this trend is to be <br />reversed, there is a need for decisive action at the state levelo A goal to <br />consider promptly is the setting of water quality standards for salinity and the <br />development of arrangements to achieve the standards 0 <br /> <br />There are several reasons why this effort should, indeed must be, <br />undertaken at the State level. First, states must be involved in the negotiation <br />of sharing of responsibility. Such negotiations are implicit in the proces s of <br />waste-load allocation. <br /> <br />Second, it is clear that the selection of trade-off' s between regulation <br />on control of pollutants and control of water supplies involves water-rights. <br />Thi.s situation profoundly affects the State interest. It is doubly important, <br />since we may be considering poilution control in one state vs. water manage- <br />ment in another. <br /> <br />Third, it is clear that any of the viable means for controlling salinity <br />also involve cllanges in water-use practices. Again, the integral relationship <br />between water rights and pollution control becomes critical. <br /> <br />Fourth, the Federal law emphasizes control of "point sources" of pol- <br />lution. However, the worst offender may not meet the technical definition of <br />a point source in the law. In this case, leadership is needed from the states <br />to as sure that all interests within their boundaries are treated the same. This <br />logic should extend to pOint and "non-pOint" sources of pollution; and to those <br />which cause the pollution problem to be worse by unnecessarily depleting the <br />water resource. <br /> <br />Problems such as these can best be resolved by negotiation of interests <br />within a state; and by negotiation among the states. Resulting standards should <br />be such that they protect existing water uses, and recognize the rights of states <br />to develop new water uses within the context of well-established water-law. <br /> <br />8 <br />