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<br />N <br />loP. <br />r-:;, <br />N <br /> <br />VII. PROJECTED 1985 ACTIVITIES <br /> <br />With passage of PL. 98-569, the USDA casc program will take on a much broader <br />and more extensive range of activities for 1985. While program and project <br />funding still remains a major obstacle because of the federal budget deficits, <br />there are many other priority activities needing attention. <br /> <br />It will be important to continue to maintain a meaningful and realistic <br />ongoing salinity control program in both Grand Valley and the Unita Basin. <br />This may become increasing difficult with the current status of the <br />agricultural economy. Cost-shares, staffing, and monitoring efforts will be <br />maintained to the degree financial resources permit. <br /> <br />The new authority for the USDA voluntary onfarm program also requires that a <br />Secretarial Delegations of Authority for program responsibilities be <br />completed. Likewise, program rules and regulations must be formulated, <br />approved, and published in the Federal Register before the new program can be <br />formally initiated. <br /> <br />Another major activity includes closer coordination between the Bureau of <br />Reclamation and the USDA agencies. Of special importance and priority is the <br />need for DR and SCS to provide improved technical coordination. Items such <br />as: salt load and salt load reduction numbers; cost effectiveness criteria <br />and analysis; economic analysis of program costs and benefits; improved <br />coordination of planning and implementation schedules; and monitoring and <br />evaluation activities all need' additional attention. The BRlscs Technical <br />Policy Coordination Committee will be the principle vehicle for addressing <br />these program needs and technical differences. <br /> <br />The USDA Salinity Control Coordinating Committee will also focus additional <br />attention on improved communications and closer working relationships with the <br />Colorado River Basin states interests. The basin states now have a keener <br />interest in overall USDA casc program operations, procedures, and expenditures <br />because of the power revenue Basin Fund reimbursement provisions of PL.98-569. <br />In 1985, USDA expects to improve the agencies dialogue with the CRBSC Advisory <br />Council, the CRBSC Forum, and the Forum Work Group. <br /> <br />-25- <br />