WSP04506

• File Number: 8272.100.60
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 5/1/1987
• Author: CRBSCF
• Title: Proposed Report on the 1987 Review - Water Quality Standards for Salinity - Colorado River System
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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In addition to collecting hydrologic data, the Water
RpRources Division conducts specific studies on surface
W water', ground water, and water quality. During the review
en period, Division scientists completed a major study of
o salinity in the Colorado River system. Results of this
~ research include a statistical analysis of streamflow and
disso:lved solids data for all gaging stations in the Upper
Colorado River Basin with more than 5 years of record.
Significant long-term ttends in dissolved solids
concentration and salt load were found associated with
reservoir development, mining, salinity control and
changing irrigation practices. Salt loading in Las Vegas
Wash, Nevada, is also being studied in cooperation with
Reclamation. The purpose of this investigation is to
determine whether the proposed engineering plan to reduce
s'alt loading to the wash near Henderson ,is feasible and
cost effective.

Environmental Protection Agency

The major Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
programs dealing with salinity control are Water Quality
Management Planning, National Pollutant Discharge
Eliminl'ltion System (NPDES) permits and water quality
standards. The Water Quality Management Planning and NPDES
are largel~' d'elegated :to the States, and are discussed in
other sections of this' report." EPA maintains oversight
responsibilities for these delegated programs, and has
responsibility for approving state adopted revisions to
water quality standards. EPA continues to encourage the
Basin states to develop and implement the state salinity
contT'o.l strategi es.
The Forum and EPA policies encouraging the use of
higher TDS water for industrial purposes are being
supported primarily through National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) revie" responsibilities. EPA also urges the
identification of potential salinity impacts resulting from
propo.ed projects, and encourages discussion of mitigation
of adverse impacts as required by the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508)
for implementing NEPA. For, example, EPA has commented on
potential salinit~' impacts in reviewing impact statements
for grazing and land, management, recreational developments,
mining, timber harvesting, and water development projects.
The Water Quality control Act of 1987 (PL 100-4) may
offer addi ti onal opportuni ti es to impl ement salini t~.
control measures. In partioular, the Section 319 program,
which addresses nonpoint source pollution control,
authorizes funding for implementation of nonpoint source
pollution control measures. The states have the lead with
the Section 319 program, whee in salinity control needs

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