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<br />Program Evaluation <br /> <br />Since the passage of legislation in 1974 implementing the salinity control <br />program, Recl amat ion has i dent ifi ed some of the program impl ementat ion <br />problem areas that need to be addressed. These include: <br /> <br />The technical scope of potential control measures to reduce salt <br />loading from point sources, diffuse sources, and irrigation sources. <br /> <br />A comprehensive understanding of the constituent ions and the mechan- <br />isms in the river which affect them. <br /> <br />The high investment cost related to structural controls associated <br />with desalination plants and lined evaporation ponds; the use of <br />economic criteria such as cost-effectiveness evaluation, which is the <br />total annualized cost of the project per unit reduction of salinity as <br />measured at Imperial Dam in mg/L of total dissolved solids. Cost- <br />effectiveness is used in lieu of the benefit-cost ratio. Table A <br />shows the cost-effectiveness values for salinity control studies using <br />current information. <br /> <br />The environmental aspects associated with brine evaporation ponds and <br />the loss of wetlands for wildlife habitat when canals and laterals are <br />lined. <br /> <br />Regul atory impacts on program imp 1 ementat i on, such as t he proposed <br />new Principles and Guideli nes, and the National Environmental Policy <br />Act regulations. <br /> <br />Importance of public participation. <br /> <br />Legal and institutional constraints, particularly those related to <br />water rights issues that affect every project. <br /> <br />Future basin management depends upon the accuracy of the river condi- <br />tions and predictions. The CRSS (Colorado River Simulation System) <br />model is expected to provide better water quality predictions because <br />of its ability to more accurately describe the river basin and because <br />of its greater degree of flexibility in depicting river operations. <br /> <br />Program Schedule and Funding <br /> <br />The schedule for salinity control projects, based on current projections, <br />is shown in table B. The schedule is subject to change as procedures for <br />using the new two-stage planning process are developed. <br /> <br />The range of total estimated construction funding costs to meet program <br />objectives (1972 salinity levels at Imperial, Parker, and Hoover Dams under <br />ultimate Basin development conditions), based on 1981 dollars, is shown <br />below. <br /> <br />x <br />