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under authority of Section 6 of Public Law 83-566, to make feasibility studies of possible improvements for onfarm irrigation systems and improve- ments in the upland watershed condition for the purpose of controlling saline return flows to the Colorado River from the Lower Gunnison Valley. Purpose and Objectives The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, PL 93-320, firmly establishes that the purpose of salinity control studies is to reduce the salt load carried by the Colorado River. Two co-equal national objectives form the basis for planning. These are to protect and,enhance national economiC development and to protect and enhance environmental quality. For salinity control studies these two objectives are defined as: Environmental Quality - Improve water quality by reducing the salt load in the Colorado River while minimizing adverse effects on local fish and wildlife resources. Economic Development - Enhance agricultural production, and improve local systems and practices for managing irrigation water to reduce salt loading in the river that causes economic damages downstream. Two overall purposes for participation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the salinity control studies in the Lower Gunnison Unit are to: (1) determine the contribution of salt loading from the irrigated farm land and privately owned upland areas; and (2) determine the opportunity for reducing salt loading through improvements in irrigation systems and practices, and reducing erosion and sediment delivery from the privately owned upland areas. USDA activities include determining the contribution of salt, sediment, and water into and through the irrigated area from the privately owned upland watershed (diffuse area); and also focused on evaluating the present condition of onfarm irrigation systems and management practices to deter~1j~~Ci~ II-2