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<br />I <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />, ,... .,- .- <br />IJ:J.~ <br /> <br />Arizona now uses approximately 1,000,000 acre-feet per year in <br />Parker and Yuma Valleys, and its use from the Colorado River will <br />increase significantly after completion of the Central Arizona Project <br />Nevada's use will also increase substantially after completion of its <br />Southern Nevada Project. California's vital interest in the river's <br />salinity can be understood since approximately 75 percent of the wat~~ <br />consumptively used in Southern California comes from the Colorado <br />River. Thus in the near future over 12,000,000 people and about two <br />million acres of irrigated land in Arizona, Nevada, and California <br />will depend in whole or in part on the Colorado River for its water <br />supply. <br /> <br />Concern for the river's salinity also has been expres!,pd recent;) <br />by persons in the Upper Basin as well as by Lower Basin and Federal <br />representatives. For example, Mr. Andy Williams, a Grand Junction <br />attorney, called attention at a recent meeting to the salinity prable. <br />now existing in the Colorado River,and pointed out that a significant <br />reason for increase in salinity is transmountain diversions which <br />reduce the river flows necessary for dilution. He urged eastern <br /> <br />slope diverters to help pay the bill if the local people are eventual <br /> <br />assessed to meet water pollution control standards. <br />Also, Representative T. John Baer of Lorna, Colorado, urged a <br />massive community effort to obtain federal funds for lining canals <br />and lateral ditches on the north side of Grand Valley. "This would <br />help control the salinity problem and would provide more water on <br />existing lands and water for new lands," he said. "As water demands <br /> <br />rise, people are becoming increasingly sensitive about wasti.ng water. <br /> <br />-2- <br />