WSP05261

• File Number: 8271.200
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - Development and History
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/12/1974
• Title: The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act - Western States Water Council - April 12 1974 -
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Western States Water Council
Meeting

Boise, Idaho
April 1 2, 1 974

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Perhaps the best way to indicate to you our concerns
and what we want that is not included in the legislation advanced
by the Administration in HR 12834 or S 3094 is to relate the failings
of that legislation, The deficiencies cited are all corrected to
the extent possible in the legislation introduced by the Colorado
River Basin States -HR 12165 and S. 2940.

The Administration bill stops short in several important
respects of providing the protection deemed essential by the
states. First, the Administration bill lacks essential specifics
on the size and efficiency of the features that must be authorized
before the quality guarantee to Mexico goes into effect. The
Administration bill leaves these decisions to the Secretary of
State. The size of the desalter, its efficiency, and the lining
of the Coachella Canal are important details to the states. We
will lose all-important water if the program is not implemented
on schedule and with component sizes called for in H.R. 12165,

Second, it fails to include necessary appropriations for the
Coachella Canal lining feature. The Administration would fund
this program as a part of the Bureau's R & S program. Lining
of the Coachella Canal is a critical element of the program and
must be authorized and implemented in schedule if the states
are to be protected, Its fate should not be left to separate
action by the Congress.

Third, and very significantly, the Administration's bill
fails to recognize that the salt problem on the Colorado River
is basin wide and that the control program implemented on the
river must also be basin wide if present salinities are to be
maintained as the Basin States develop their remaining entitle-
ments. There is only one satisfactory way to avoid future discord
with Mexixo and insure equitable treatment for the U,S. users
. and that is by imple rom'mting a program of salt control throughout
the Colorado River Basin.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments of
1972 require the establishment of salinity standards for all
interstate streams. The states of the basin have joinecl with
EPA in the establishment of 1972 levels of salinity as the objective
for the Colorado River, while recognizing at the same time

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