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<br />o <br />~ <br />I-" <br />~, <br /> <br />The BLM's new direction in salinity control emphasizes <br /> <br />the identification of significant diffuse salinity source <br /> <br />areas on public lands and the implementation of control <br /> <br />measures. Through the watershed management program, areas in <br /> <br />moderately to highly saline soils that are also experiencing <br /> <br />high rates of accelerated erosion will be identified and <br /> <br />watershed management plans will be developed and control <br /> <br />measures implemented as funding permits. It is expected that <br /> <br />salinity control benefits from this program could be signifi- <br /> <br />cant. In addition, other multiple use benefits which can <br /> <br />result from watershed management plans include additional <br /> <br />forage for livestock and wildlife, decreased onsite soil <br /> <br />loss, and reduced flood and sedimentation damages. <br /> <br />Within the Upper Colorado River drainage, a total of <br /> <br />103,000 acres of soil is classified as highly saline, with <br /> <br />2,204,000 acres being classified as moderately saline. Of <br /> <br />these totals, approximately one quarter of the highly saline <br /> <br />and one half of the moderately saline soils are located on <br /> <br />public lands. Before estimates can be made of total areas <br /> <br />available for watershed treatment, more precise quanti fica- <br /> <br />tion of sediment and salt yields from saline soils located on <br /> <br />public lands is required. Estimates of cost effectiveness <br /> <br />and milligram per liter reductions resulting from salinity <br /> <br />control at this time could be misleading. <br /> <br />-21- <br />