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<br />w <br />'"" <br />'=' <br />o <br /> <br />There is concern that the concentrated brines retained ;n several large <br />evaporation ponds ;n the basin may be harmful to local and migrating <br />waterfowl. Recent experiments at Colorado State University conducted in <br />an environmental test chamber evaluated the effects of supersaturated <br />(260,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) Paradox Valley brine on mallard <br />ducKs. The experiments demonstrated that highly concentrated brines can be <br />lethal to the ducks when exposed for long periods (8 to 12 hours) without <br />food and water if the ducks are restrained in the brine. The lethal effect <br />of the brine seems to relate prinCipally to dehydration and the osmotic <br />effects of the high salinity. Studies indicate that when stressed, the <br />ducks can and wi 11 leave the brine pool and that access to freshwater and <br />food may offset dehydration effects. Extensive waterfowl use of the Great <br />Salt Lake reinforces the general conclusion that most species can adapt to <br />unique but naturally occurring conditions of brine ponds. These laboratory <br />tests, along with continuing field observations, will add to a better <br />understanding of behavioral and physiologic changes that may be helpful in <br />preventing or reversing any adverse effects of brine on waterfowl. <br />Regulatory Impacts on Program Implementation <br />A number of Federal and State regulations and legislation influence the <br />choice of salinity control measures, siting considerations, and the cost- <br />effectiveness of alternative control plans. Overall, recent regulatory <br />requirements have resulted in increased planning time, commitment of addi. <br />tional manpower and resources, project design changes and modifications, <br />construction time stretchout. and additional siting constraints. The <br />present Administration is making an effort to reduce unnecessary and <br />burdensome regulations. The summary chart. table 5, outlines the applic~ <br />able legislative acts and regulations along with a commentary on current <br />and probable program impacts. <br />The major regulations and planning guidelines that have governed salin- <br />; ty control p 1 anni ng studi es are the Water Resources Counci l' s Princi pl es <br />and Standards for Water and Related Land Resources Plann;n, the regula- <br />tlons or lmp ementatlon 0 the atlona nVlronmenta Policy Act, and <br />the Adm;nistration's Water Policy. <br />The new Principles and Guidelines (replacing the Principles and Standards) <br />have been approved by the Water Resources Council after review by the <br />Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and Environment. Approval by the <br />President is expected shortly. The Principles and Guidelines are not <br />substantially different. however, as far as the salinity program is <br />concerned but will probably require the Secretary's approval for the <br />current evaluation process. <br />The Forum, in the 97th Congress, through Senate Bill S. 2202, requested <br />the CRWQIP studies be exempt from the Principles and Guidelines. The <br />Forum has indicated a similar bill will be reintroduced in the current <br />session of Congress. Until that time, Principles and Guidelines provide <br />the essential guidelines and study procedures for planning Title II <br />salinity control projects in the Basin. Planners must consider and <br />ba 1 ance a wi de range of economi c, env ironment a 1. and soci a 1 object i ves <br />at the local. regional. national, and international levels. not all <br />of which are quantifiable in comparable terms. Planning decisions <br /> <br />23 <br />