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jf :>/22. United States Department of the Interior ~.s GEOLOGICAL SURVEY) ~ Office of the Director Reston, Virginia 20192 ~r :I- A'4 ,; ('r,,/ S.'., ! l. C,yrj,:r :? :".,~, t;).. ~'" .r "MAY 1 6 2000 In Reply Refer To' Mail Stop 441 #20000305 o -- .... .... Mr Gordon W. fassett, Chairman Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council Herschler Building, 4th Floor East 122 West 25th Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002-0370 Dear Mr. Fassett: Your letter of April 17, 2000,10 Secretary Babbitt, has been referred to the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) for response. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the recommendations presented in the 1999 Annual Repon on the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program with respect to the activities of the u.s. Geological Survey (USGS) The collection and dissemination of accurate long-term streamflow and water-quality data is one of the primary functions of the USGS Among many other uses, these data are necessary to document the effectiveness of salinity control measures. The USGS currently operates more than 500 streamflow and 140 watcr-quality stations in the Colorado Rivcr Basin; many of these are supported in part by the USGS through our Federal. State Cooperative Program. However, as you arc aware, the USGS will be discontinuing the Colorado River National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) program in October 2000. This program reduction affects only eight of the many water-quality stations operated in the basin. We regret the need for this program change and assure you that the USGS is actively seeking alternative funding to continue this important work. The USGS ""ill continue to support the efforts of the Colorado River Basin Salimt) Control Forum by providing accurate data and unbiased scientific analysis. We are pleased to participate in the Forum's activities through the Advisory Council and will continue to do so in the future.