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<br />USDA LEGISLATIVE SUHHARY <br />of Public Law 98-569 <br /> <br /> <br />Amends the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act to authorize the <br />Secretary of Agriculture to ,develop and implement a coordinated <br />agricultural onfarm progrlll1lin the Colorado River Basili. ~ <br />'" Secretary' of ARriculture is directed to: <br />N."- <br />O' <br />(;1 0 Give preference to ~ew proje~ts that achieve the most <br />saiinity reduction at the least cost per unit. <br /> <br />o Identify salt sources a~d determine salt loading. <br /> <br />'0 Develop implementation plans ,with pUblic 'inputs to reduce <br />, salt ,loads to the Colorado River. Plans may include,onfarm <br />',water management arid related lateral improvements, erosion <br />practices Which significantly' affect salt reduction,arid. <br />replacement of wildlife values foregone. <br /> <br />o Provide technical and cost-share assistance through a <br />voluntary program using contracts and agreements. Assistance <br />may be provided ,to individuals. groups of owners and ' <br />operators,. arid is 8lqlanded to allow assiStance (especially , <br />cost-sharing> with irrigation'districts and canal companies.' <br />Cost-shares to be based on benefits received and provision' <br />fqr continued operation and lI\8intenance shall be included in <br />contracts and agreements. ' <br /> <br />o Provide continued technical assistance for irrigation'water <br />l\ll!Ilageinent, plus'monitoring and evaluating c~anges in salt <br />. contributions to determine program effectiveness. <br /> <br />o Include research, demonstration and education activities in <br />, the voluntary onf~rm salinity control program. <br /> <br />o Limit Federal cost-share level to 70 percent, unless the <br />Secretary determines that such a requirement would result' in <br />a, failure to start needed onfarm measures. A minimum of 30 <br />percent cost-sharing will be required from program <br />participants. <br /> <br />o Use existing agencies and the commodity Credit Corporation to <br />carry out the, program. Agencies II\8Y use grants or <br />cooperative agreements with conservation districts; local <br />governmental agencies. colleges and universities. or other as <br />appropriate to carry out authorized activities. <br /> <br />-8- <br />