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<br />1999 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br /><=> <br />00 <br />w <br />0) <br /> <br />The Council notes that as the Senate passed S.1211, a provision was added that would require the <br />BLM to report to Congress its efforts and plans for salinity control. The Council supports the Senate <br />language and urges that the House include this provision ifit enacts H.R. 2619 rather than S. 1211. <br />However, enough time should be allowed for the report to be prepared so that the report can be both <br />substantive and meaningful. It is expected that a new report to the Congress would build on the <br />1987 report that the BLM provided to the Congress. <br /> <br />In 1997 the Council expressed concern about the uncertainty caused by the BLM's cost-effectiveness <br />protocols when comparing the BLM efforts with the USDA and the USBR efforts. The Council <br />knows that discussions were held in 1999 on this subject but stilJ urges BLM to continue to work <br />toward a consistent salinity cost-effectiveness calculation. The Council again recommends that <br />coordinating meetings be held, with Reclamation taking the lead and with Work Group <br />representatives in attendance. <br /> <br />The Council has in the past encouraged the BLM to identifY and plug flowing saline wells on public <br />lands. It is noted that the BLM has consistently placed higher emphasis on point source control of <br />salts over nonpoint sources, and past efforts have resulted in some very cost-effective salinity <br />control. The Council has requested that the BLM report well plugging activities, which they have <br />done, and the Council requests that the BLM continue to monitor and report this activity. <br /> <br />In Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, previous coordinated efforts by state and federal agencies, <br />including the BLM, have identified watersheds where it has been technically determined that there <br />is a good opportunity for improved land management practices that would result in significant <br />salinity control. These watersheds have been termed "salinity hot watersheds." The Council asks <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br /> <br />9 <br /> <br />:&: ;, <br />