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<br />. <br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The purpose of this background paper is to identify BL'1's past and current <br />W efforts in collecting scientific information in making decisions and in <br />o implementing actions to control salinity. In addition this paper examines <br />tv future info,rmation requirements and actions that the Bureau can consider <br />-.J in addressing the problem of salinity cont rel in runoff. <br /> <br />Salinity contributions to the Upper Colorado River are derived from a <br />variety of sources. Data sUIIlmarized in the 1978-1979 BLM Report "Control <br />of Salinity in the Upper Colorado River Basin" suggests that of the total <br />salinity in the River, irrigation return flow accounts for 41%, natural <br />groundwater. sources 38%, surface runoff from public lands 8%, surface <br />runoff from, other lands 7%, industrial and municipal sources 1% and un- <br />accounted 5%. The calculations are based principally on data in the <br />earlier 1977 Status Report (pages 87-96) and show that the lands managed <br />by BLM conttibute a relatively small proportion of the total salt load <br />to the rivet system. Nonetheless changes in land use practices may <br />further red\lce salt contributions and could show a positive cost <br />effectivene!;s (see 1978-79 Status Report page 11). <br /> <br /> <br />.\\ <br /> <br />----~~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />