WSP02737

• File Number: 8276.120
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1981
• Title: Plan of Study: Grand Valley Unit Stage Two
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER II

GENERAL APPROACH TO THE WORK

Flood Control Act

The Flood Control Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 887), aut:iorizes the construction
of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control and other pur-
poses. It also recognizes the interests and rights of the states and the
preservation and protection of the Nation's rivers to the fullest possible
extent for all established and potential purposes.

Executive Orders 11988 - Flood Plain Management
and 11990 - Protection of Wetlands

The intent of Executive Order 11988, issued in May 1977, is to prevent,
to the extent possible, the adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and
modification of flood plains and to avoid support of flood plain development
wherever a practical alternative exists. It calls on each agency to reduce
the risk of flood loss, to minimize the impact of floods on human safety,
health, and welfare, and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial
values served by flood plains.

Executive Order 11990, also of May 1977, was issued by the President to
instruct Federal agencies to avoid the adverse impacts associated with the
destruction or modification of wetlands and to avoid support of new con-
struction in wetlands whenever there is another practical option.

In July of 1979, the Bureau of Reclamation adopted regulations that pro-
vided a description of the processes for implementing these two executive
orders. Herein the Bureau shall assure that these policies and guidelines
are employed in the planning process to a scope and lev,~l appropriate to the
study.

Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act

Two Federal acts that must be considered in planning any water projects
are the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law 93-523) and, as amended, the
Clean Water Act previously called the Federal Water PoLLution Control Act
(Public Law 95-217). The Safe Drinking Water Act established standards for
public water systems and provides regulation for the protection of drinking
water sources. The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and main-
tain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters
by control and/or elimination of pollutants entering thE, waters. Investiga-
tions for the Grand Valley Unit fall under the general 8.uthority of the
Clean Water Act.

General water policy

Water conservation, environmental quality, enhanced Federal-State cooper-
ation and a greater degree of efficiency and cost effectiveness are goals of
water resource projects. The Bureau of Reclamation will encourage these ~ni-
tiatives to the extent possible within the bounds of current legislation.

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