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<br />o <br />,:;.. <br />-J <br />CJ1 <br /> <br />-51- <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />The general consensus of investigations on nonpoint <br />diffuse sources of salinity in the .UCRB is that measures <br />such as grazing controls, contour furrow and strict regu- <br />lation of road and site development, construction of energy <br />exploration activities will reduce man-caused salinity from <br />these lands. However, the extreme natural variation in <br />hydrologic events, stream and reservoir evaporation and <br />other "buffering" effects will tend to mask the relative <br />magnitude of these programs. <br />Economic Damages Caused by Salinity <br />The salinity levels expressed as total dissolved solids <br />concentration or electrical conductivity may not adequately <br />reflect the impacts on specific users. Domestic users are <br />primarily concerned with hardness caused by calcium and <br />magnesium. The important salinity constituents for indus- <br />trial users, such as electrical power plants are primarily <br />calcium carbonates and sulfates. Calcium carbonate is often <br />the first salt to precipitate in recirculating cooling tower <br />water and high levels can increase the amount consumed <br />and/or treated. <br />The costs associated with using water impaired by high <br />salinity levels are imposed on industrial, domestic and <br />agricultural users. Industrial and domestic costs are <br />associated with extra costs of treatment and softening, and <br />with premature replacement of plumbing, boilers, water <br />heaters, etc. Domestic damages can also be experienced by <br />loss of landscapes with low salt tolerance. Estimated costs <br />