Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />(~~~: <br /> <br />required to obcain wacer use permits for such accivicies by demonscracing <br />thac che wacer will be used for a purpose chac the scace considers <br />beneficial. However, che scates where projeccs could be conscrucced <br />generally do noc hold chac salinicy control is beneficial co them. <br />Therefore, che Bureau's abilicy to develop projects to control natural <br />salt sources is extremely limited. <br /> <br />o <br />CO <br />...] <br />..... <br /> <br />Over che years, the Bureau has tried to gain state cooperation by <br />attempting to combine potential salinity control projects with uses which <br />the states recognize as beneficial to them. However, the Bureau's <br />efforts in this regard have not resulted in any new projects. Between <br />1974 and the end of fiscal year 1987, the Bureau spent more than $14 <br />million to investigate eight potential projects, which included natural <br />salt sources, without successfully identifying one that was both <br />economically viable and acceptable to the applicable state. <br /> <br />Unless the states are willing to reconsider their position and allow <br />water to be used to offset che salinity intreases caused by developmenc <br />of the River basin water, it appears unlikely that the Bureau will be <br />able to control natural salt sources to meet the Title II program <br />objective. Until state water laws are amended or reinterpreted co <br />recognize salinity control as a beneficial use of water or some <br />arrangements are made to allow the Bureau co obtain water permits, there <br />appears to be little practical purpose in expending funds on the <br />continued investigation of projects to control natural salt sources. <br /> <br />In the instance where the Bureau was authorized by Section 202 of the Act <br />to build a nac.ural salt source control project:, it: had to accept: state <br />conditions that limited i=s ability to operate the project:. The Paradox <br />Valley proj ect currently under construction on che Dolores River (a <br />tribucary of the Colorado) in southwest Colorado is being construcced to <br />concrol a natural salt: source. !he Bureau's ability to obtain the <br />necessary water use permic that enabled construction to begin is due less <br />to the cooperat:ion of the state than it is to the measurable benefi=s co <br />be gained by the state and ics water users. Also, che Bureau was willing <br />co allow the state che right to shut down the project in the future if it <br />so desires. <br /> <br />The Paradox Valley project is noC representative of other potential <br />natural source control projects because the reduction of che salt level <br />at this location provides ~..~ery substantial direct benefit to downs~ream <br />farming within Colorado. The construction of chis project will prevent <br />farmers from having to irrigate with high salinity water, which at times <br />may lessen farm product:ion. No ocher natural salt sources have been <br />ident:ified that have such a drast:ic effect on in~stat:e Water users criac <br />the Bureau can use as a reason co convince ehe state co issue coe <br />necessa=y permit. However, even in this instance. the salinity reduction <br />may be short-lived, as the water permit: allows che state to shu= down ~he <br />project if water removed by the project is needed co satisfy the <br />requirements of the same downstreant farmers. This could happen as new <br />development: takes place in Colorado because the s~at:e's full Va~er <br />allocation would be needed to satisfy other local Water ~sers. <br />Therefore, the possibility exists that a project which has been <br /> <br />10 <br />