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<br />1& <br /> <br />INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION <br /> <br />UNITED STATES AND MEXICO <br />IBwe BUILDING <br />4110RIOBRAVO <br />ELPASO.TEXAS 79902 <br /> <br />OFFICE Of' THE COMMISSIONER <br />UNITED STArES SECTION <br /> <br />SEP l8 1981 <br /> <br />w <br />l\) <br />CO <br />(0 <br /> <br />Mr. Jack A. Barnett <br />Executive Director <br />Colorado River Basin Salinity Control F~rum <br />220 South 200 East, Suite 320 <br />Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 <br /> <br />Dear Jack: <br /> <br />Thank you for your letter of August 20, 1981 which enclosed for our review <br />a copy of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum's "Proposed Report <br />on the 1981 Review of Water Quality Standards for Salinity of the Colorado <br />River System," and advises us of the two scheduled public meetings to <br />receive comments. <br /> <br />As Principal Engineer Baumli discussed with Mr. Weber, we are concerned <br />with those portions of the proposed report beginning on Page. 18 relating <br />to projected salinity concentrations, in particular Tables 3, 4, and 5 <br />which show projected salinity concentrations, assuming an average virgin <br />flow of 13.0 million acre-feet (MAF), which exceed the established numerical <br />salinity criteria, in some cases, by substantial amounts. To use such low <br />average flows seems overly conservative and would arouse unnecessary concerns <br />on the part of Mexico. <br /> <br />We understand also that the values are projections only and importantly <br />do not reflect salinity control measures such as the on-farm programs which <br />would further reduce salinity concentrations. We suggest, therefore, that <br />discussion and publication of detailed projections for an average of <br />13 MAF be deferred at least until the effects of all salinity control <br />measures have been quantified. We would have no objection to the general <br />relationships shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, but we suggest that an <br />appropriate note be made that the projections do not include other control <br />measures. Your careful consideration of these comments will be appreciated. <br /> <br />I do want to add on the positive side that the proposed report contains an <br />excellent summary of the Forum's commendable work and of the federal and <br />state efforts to control the Colorado River salinity. We will be looking <br />forward to receiving a copy of the final report. <br /> <br />We would also appreciate, if at all possible in the future, your early <br />consultation with this agency during the preparation of future draft reports. <br /> <br />"n~rely. ~ r . <br /> <br />J:~ .-'JC ..' <br /> <br />J. . Fri dkin -- <br />C issioner <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />10 <br />