WSP07611

• File Number: 8272.300.50
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1990
• Author: CRBSC Advisory Counc
• Title: 1989 Annual Report on the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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,nUll_rie edt.da"'and 'the plan of i.pl..entation.
establishment of ..linity standards in 1975, the
conducted four triennial reviews 1n: 1978, 1981, 1984,

Since the
Forua has
and 1987.

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Since the last annual Advisory Council report was submitted,
the Advisory Council met once on OCtober 17, 1989, in San
Francisco, California. At that meeting, the Council received status
reports frOlll the federal agencies involved in salinity control,
asked questions of the federal representatives, and approved budget
recollllllendations for this 1989 annual report.

Council COllllllents and Recnmlllendations

The reports, "1989 Joint Evaluation of Salinity Control
Programs," December 1989, by the Bureau of Reclamation and the
Department of' AgriCUlture, and "1987 Review - Water Quality
Standards for Salinity - ColOrado River System," by the Colorado
River Basin Salinity Control Forum, describe the individual
salinity control projects and their status. Therefore, the Council
will make no attempt to repeat that information in this annual
report.

General Comments

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The Council appreciates the efforts of the Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Department of AgriCUlture (USDA)
relative to publication of the jointly prepared 1989 Evaluation
Report. The council urges Reclamation to continue to consult with
the Forum and its Work Group regarding program changes, results of
program evaluation, and revisions to the implementation schedule
for salinity control which are consistent with Forum policy and the
directives of Congress.

Favorable hydrology during recent years has resul ted in
relatively good water quality in the lower river. If not for that
factor, the delays in construction of salinity control units that
have occurred would have had greater adverse effect on existing
water uses. However, with Basin runoff below normal, and reservoir
releases sufficient only to meet downstream delivery requirements,
it is imperative that the federal agencies vigorously pursue
adequate funding to carry out the proposed salinity control
activities as set forth in the 1987 Review and the 1989 Joint
Evaluation Report.

The Council urges Recl~ation and~SDA to closely coordinate
with the Forum during the preparation of the Forum's "1990 Review
- Water Quality Standards for Salinity - Colorado River System" to

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