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<br />........ <br />~- <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />has a direct relation on the salinity of water, absent the intro- <br /> <br />~ duction of salinity control measures. <br />o <br />o Because of the potential for increased use, particularly <br />N;:. <br /> <br />with shale oil development in the Upper Basin, the Forum has <br /> <br />reco~mended legislation to assure the further reduction of <br /> <br />salinity above Imperial Dam. <br /> <br />This legislation, 5-2202, was introduced by Senator Armstrong <br /> <br />on March 15th of this year and would authorize six new salinity <br /> <br />control units, three in Colorado: Sinbad Valley in Mesa County, <br /> <br />Lower Gunnison Basin near Montrose, and McElmo Creek in ~ontezuma <br /> <br />County. <br /> <br />Second, it would improve the large network of canal and <br /> <br />lateral systems with all costs but pollution reduction to be <br /> <br />funded by the water users who benefit. <br /> <br />Third, it would replace wildlife or other environmental <br /> <br />benefits which may be impaired when the above projects are con- <br /> <br />structed. <br /> <br />Finally, it would authorize a voluntary on-farm program to <br /> <br />improve water management and conservation efforts while reducing <br /> <br />soil erosion. <br /> <br />The legislation has been endorsed by Governor Lamm and the <br /> <br />other six Colorado River Basin governors and tentatively approved <br />. <br /> <br />by the Reagan administration. Senator Armstrong is optimistic <br /> <br />about chances for Congressional action on the bill this year, and <br /> <br />says, "Environmentally and economically, it is essential that we <br /> <br />move forward now with this critical cleanup." One of the important <br /> <br />-24- <br />