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001808 appl ications of water (which we get with a sprinkler system) could result in a rather rapid build-up of salts in our surface soil. Perhaps some method of periodic leaching could be devised, We have discouraged the installation of sprinklers under such conditions,ll Dr, Orv i ll'e B i dwe 11 expressed his concern on what is happen i ng to the soi Is in the state. He used three soi I profi les--Carwi lIe, Richfield, and Tivol i--to illustrate the decl ine in organic matter, He pointed out the plowpan in the Richfield area and the problems associated with depressions in the sandhill areas. He indicated several factors are affecting the plant-root zone and water penetration, He expressed concern that some bad times may be ahead in terms of water quaLity from the nitrogen applied on sandy soils and salt pollution from the petroleum industry, which has, or may, destroy large land areas. Dr. Bidwell reviewed the percent of land suitable for irrigation in Kansas and pointed out Kansas ranked second to Texas. He indicated his designation of land suitable for irrigation was generally associated with the first four soil classes as defined by the Soil Conservation Service. He also reviewed the projected yields and fertil izer requirements, which he and Mr. Nauheim developed for the Great Plains Agricultural Council and the Economic Research Service as part of the Missouri Basin Framework Study. (Table 1) In response to a question about contaminating soil by irrigating, Dr, Bidwell indicated the salt stored in A or B horizons will tend to accumulate so overirrigation may be required. He also expressed concern as to the capabil ity of sprinklers to meet leaching require- ments. The group discussed the problem of overirrigation for leaching purposes. Mr. Herpich indicated that variation of rainfall will perhaps take care of this problem in western Kansas, Mr. Erhart stated after an extended drought period salts seem to affect certain crops; however, the problem seems to be el iminated following several years of above normal rainfall. Dean Bark used the Palmer Drought Index to illustrate his concern that one cannot count on rainfall to flush out salt accumulations because of extended drought periods. Dr. Bagley noted overirrigation is extensively practiced in California. Dr. Smith suggested the Water Resources Board might discuss this problem extensively with Drs. Powers and Jacobs. Dr. Arlo W, Biere discussed the philosophy of developing economic models for aquifers that are rechargeable and those with limited recharge. He illustrated by two models the relationship between the water withdrawn from storage where withdrawal equals recharge and the cost for a single operator as opposed to a model with limited recharge. H~ used the model for the recharageable aquifer and illustrated the concept of a reduction in water use if an outside agent rationed water. He pointed out an individual irrigator does not always recognize his responsibility to the community, and he suggested a cost in a form of a tax on the water withdrawn--the tax to act as a 15.