WSP02732

• File Number: 8276.852
• Description: Moapa Valley Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: NV
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 2/1/1981
• Title: Salinity Control and Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

INTRODUCTION

Authority for Investigation

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (Public Law 93-320)
is the authority for USDA to participate in salinity control investi-
9ations along with the U. S. Department of Interior (USDI) and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the States of Arizona, California,
Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Title II (Section 203)
of the act directs the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the
Secretary of Agriculture in carrying out research and demonstration projects,
and in implementing on-the-farm improvements and management practices and
programs which will further the objectives of the salinity control program
upstream from Imperial Dam on the Colorado River.

Section 203, under Title II defines USDA responsibilities on nine
specified irrigation and diffuse source control units and such other
areas which contribute significantly to the salinity problem in the
Colorado River. Consequently the USDA identified seven other areas
that may warrant study, including the Virgin River Basin.

In this report, USDA presents alternative plans for improvement of
onfarm irrigation efficiency, expected effects these improvements
will have on salinity and a plan for imp 1ementing the improvements.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the USDI and the USDA, effective
November 27, 1974 (as extended October 26, 1979) was entered into under the
authority of the Interdepartmental Work Service Act of March 4, 1915,
(38 Stat. 1084), as amended: the Economy Act of June 30, 1932, (31 U.S.C.
Sec. 686); and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of June 24, 1974,
(88 Stat. 266). Also Memorandum of Agreement, effective March 27, 1975
as supplemented, was entered into between the Water and Power Resources
Service (WPRS) (formerly the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)) and the Soil
Conservation Service (SCS) to implement the specific cooperative activities
called for under Title II of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act.
Under this Memorandum of Agreement the Water and Power Resource Service
agrees to:

1. Establish and develop cooperative Irrigation Management Services (IMS)
programs.

2. Provide information relating to the development of designs for improve-
ment of irrigation distribution systems to ensure that onfarm systems
designed by the SCS can be successfully integrated into the distribution
system.

3. Sponsor appropriate research, extension, and education programs.

4. Participate in the activities of local salinity control coordinating
entities.

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