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<br />w <br />OJ <br />o <br />o <br /> <br />Economic Update of Salinity Impacts by Reclamation <br />A preliminary analysis of economic impacts of salinity <br />was originally started in 1974, resulting in a 1980 ' <br />published report entitled, .Colorado River Salinity - <br />Economic Impacts of Agricultural, Municipal, and Industrial <br />USE'rs" b~' ME'ssrs. Kleinman and Brown. Since this earlier <br />worl\, many changes have occurred in water use, treatment, <br />materials, equipment costs, etc., that affect present and <br />future salinity damage levels in the lower basin. <br />A contract study was initiated in June 1986 to provide <br />an update and better estimate of present and future <br />damages. The evaluation is based on using existing <br />information. The study focuses pr~marily on the municipal <br />and industrial water use sectors in the Lower Basin. The <br />study contractor, Milliken-Chapman Research Group, <br />Littleton, Colorado, submitted Ii preliminary report to <br />Reclamation in February 1987. The report, when released, <br />will documenf'available economic data on salinity damages <br />and provide ~ computer program to assess damages in various <br />water-usp sE'ctors under current and assumed future <br />conditions. <br /> <br /> <br />Bureau of Land Management <br /> <br />Public Law 98-569 directed the Secretary of the <br />IntE'rinr to develop a comprehensive program for minimizing <br />salt contributions from lands ~dministered by thE' BLM and <br />provide a rE'port on tHis program to Congress and thE' <br />Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council by <br />July I, 1987. Development of this program, including <br />implementation ~ctions for the public lands within the <br />seven basin stRtes, has been the priman' objective of BL'I <br />salinity control efforts since 1984. Salinity control is <br />an ongoing program in BLM, accomplished through the Soil, <br />WatE'r, and Air subaclivity, with the objective to minimizp <br />salt contributions to the Colorado River while recognizing <br />multiplE'-use objE'ctives and authorized uses of the public <br />lands. The report to Congress will, discuss this ongoing <br />program, outline BLM's implementation actions concerning <br />salinity control, and quantify, classify, and map the <br />saline soils on BLM-administered lands. <br />BLM has developed a resource management planning <br />prpcess to make basic land-use decisions. BLM's planning <br />process is the principal mechanism by which salinity <br />control problems are identified and addressed. Through the <br />planning process, resource management plans are dE'velopE'd <br />that examine management alternatives for all resources and <br />land uses on public lands. Impacts resultin$ from <br />management decisions are addressed through environmental <br />impact statements prior to approval of plans. Prior to <br />project implementation. activity plans and associated <br />environmentR! analyses are conducted. Public involvement <br />is E'ncouraged throughout the process. <br /> <br />-42- <br />