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<br />1999 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />c.:> <br />CO <br />W U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) <br />CO <br /> <br />The greatest concern -with respect to the implementation of the salinity control program is the <br />inadequate funding of the USDA portion. The Council notes that in FY 98 there was spent in the <br />EQIP program approximately $3.9 million of EQIP funding (including technical assistance) on <br />Colorado River salinity control. The allocation of$5.1 million ofFY 99 funds (including technical <br />assistance) is a welcomed increase. The Basin states have provided up-front cost sharing for this <br />increased funding. However, this level of funding is still far short of the $12 million annually that <br />the Advisory Council determined is necessary to fully implement the USDA's portion of the salinity <br />control efforts in FY 2000 and FY 2001. The $12 million level was identified in the 1998 Advisory <br />Council report and is again recommended in this 1999 report. This funding recommendation is <br />necessary to move fOIWard with the agreed to plan of implementation contained in the 1999 Review, <br />Water Quality Standards for Salinity, Colorado River System, June 1999. The Review recommends <br />a plan of implementation which was formally supported by the USDA testimony at public hearings. <br />The Forum formally adopted the Review after significant consultation with federal agencies, <br />including representatives of the USDA. The plan of implementation cannot be fully carried out <br />without the anticipated support of the USDA. The USDA's on-farm program offers some of the <br />most cost effective opportunities for salinity control found to be available during the many years that <br />the salinity control program has been ongoing. Further, the Congress has mandated that federal <br />agencies implement the most cost effective options. <br /> <br />Since the enactment of F AIRA in 1996, the Council believes the salinity control effort to be <br />implemented through EQIP funding has been underfunded, to the extent that only about 45 percent <br />of the needed funds have been provided. The funds provided in 1996 from both the original USDA <br />Colorado River Salinity Control Program and the transition EQIP (start-up) programs are added <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br /> <br />11 <br />