WSP03774

• File Number: 8273.800.10
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Joint Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1990
• Title: 1990 Joint Evaluation of Salinity Control Programs in the Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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. Establish a position to coordinate the BLM
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Program.

. Treat salinity control as a primary issue in
land use planning process for areas within
the Basin.

. Conduct 5-year needs assessment for
salinity control in the Basin.

Progress achieved on each element is described
below:

Comprehensive Watershed Management
Planning and Economic Analysis Procedures.-A
BLM workshop was held in Moab, Utah, in May
1990 and covered: (1) an interdisciplinary
approach to comprehensive watershed planning;
(2) projecting salt reduction from land treatment
and management prescription practices; and (3)
preparing a cost-effectiveness analysis of
alternative practices.

The workshop resulted in development of an
interagency approach to projecting salt and
sediment reduction and evaluating the most
cost-effective practices.

Feasibility of Salinity Reduction.-The Bureau
of Reclamation and BLM have initiated an
interagency agreement to investigate salinity
control alternative improvements that may
reduce the overall cost of the salinity control
program. Some offices are monitoring the
effectiveness of improvements outlined in the
1987 Report to Congress, Salinity Control on
BLM-Administered Public Lands in the
Colorado River Basin, but limited funding has
affected the capability to demonstrate salt
reductions on BLM rangelands.

Cooperative Effort on Nonpoint Source
M.anagement Ar~as.-BLM has worked closely
Wlth Colorado River Basin States in preparing
non point source (NPS) management programs
under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The
BLM is supporting the State of Utah NPS
program which focuses on priority projects in the

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Utah portion of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Also, BLM is cooperating with other affected
interests on a plan/action for Alkalai Creek in
Colorado. An assessment is in progress that
focuses on Sediment and Salinity Problems in
the Colorado River Basin Through Identification
and Treatment of Excessively Eroding Lands.

CRB~C Coordi~~tion Position.-A BLM salinity
coordinator posItion was established this year to
coordinate programs developed and jointly
approved by the BLM. He will serve as the BLM
lead coordinator for and between the seven BLM
State Directors, Service Center Director, and
Washington Directorate, and all entities
involved with the salinity program.

Salinity Control as a Primary Issue.-BLM's
primary concern is how to mest salinity
objectives along with the other multiple-use
objectives on public lands. The Comprehensive
Watershed Management Plan will be the basis
for deciding how to meet these objectives. The
salinity program would dovetail nicely and
would be consistent with multiple-use
management of public lands. Proper livestock
grazing and land treatment techniques in
various combinations on saline soils appear to
provide BLM the best opportunity to
demonstrate that multiple use management and
salinity control is cost-sffective and accepted.

In addition, BLM is implementing the actions
identified in the 1987 Report to Congress.

5-Year Needs Assessment.-A funding needs
assessment was conducted in 1990 based on the
BLM projects currently planned Additional
funding is necessary to effectively implement a
comprehensive approach to salinity control
efforts on BLM rangelands. Approximately
$18.3 million will be needed over the next
5 years.

In addition, 48 positions are needed in the areas
of soils, hydrology, range, natural resources and
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?ngmeenng support for project design,
Implementation, and maintenance activities.