WSP03657

• File Number: 8272.300.50
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1990
• Author: CRBSC Advisory Counc
• Title: 1989 Annual Report on the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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assure consistency with future water use estillates and salinity
control iapl...ntation schedules.

The Council is extremely displeas~ over the Environmental
Protection Aqency (EPA), Pish and Wildlife Service (nS), and the
Soil Conservation Services' (SCS) failure to resolve 'the conflicts
between the aqencies concerning- procedures' for evaluation of
wildlife habitat values as related to the voluntary replacement of
wildlife values foreqone on the USDA onfarlil nonpoint salinity
control program. The Council understands that SCS has developed
a procedure for evaluatinq habitat values and has sent' that
proposed habitat value evaluation system to EPA and FWS for review
and comment. Because of the schedule slippaqewbich results from
inaction on this matter, the Council stronqly encouraqes the
aqencies to reach concurrence within. six months. The Council
further requests .that the aqencies deliver to the Council a
timetable for'formal adoption by all three agencies at the end of
the six month period. '

SDecific Comments

The current status of all the salinity control measures are
discus(iled in the 1989 Joint Evaluation Report. Therefore, the
Council will only offer comments and recommendations on specific
projects which are of concern to the Council.

Bureau of Reclamation

Paradox Vallev Unit. ,The council is concerned with the
possible problem of incompatibility of the injected brines and the
formation fluids, which could result in salt precipitation in the
injection zone. The ,Council urqes Reclamation to expend whatever
time and effort are required to insure that such precipitation will
not occur. Once this has been accomplished, the Council urges
Reclamation to proceed with the two-year injection test.

Grand Vallev Unit. The Council urges Reclamation to implement
the cooperative agreements for construction of the private
laterals. The Council is concerned with the continued reduction
of funding levels for this unit. Without funding levels
commensurate with the implementation schedule set forth in the 1989
Joint Evaluation Report, salinities may exceed .the standards.
Further, without improvements of the laterals by Reclamation,
associated USDA onfarm salinity control activities can not be
implemented in a timely and cost efficient manner.

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