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<br />1997 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br />o <br />--l <br />CD The Council is also concerned with the organizational structure USDA has created for administering <br />~.. <br />EQIP. The Council fears that lack of coordination within USDA regional, state and local offices <br />could lead to expenditures offunds for the implementation ofless cost effective projects because the <br />distribution of funds is likely to be based on local priorities within each state rather than basin-wide <br />priorities. The necessary coordination could be achieved by the designation of a national priority <br />area and then assigning one regional or state office primacy in determining the priority of projects <br />basin-wide. That designated regional or state office could then be the focal point for coordination <br />and consultation with the Council and the Forum. The Council believes that this approach is <br />essential to maintaining a large-scale salinity control program that bases implementation decisions <br />on cost effectiveness. <br /> <br />The Council believes that the Forum and the Basin states will support an EQIP program of more than <br />$200 million. The Council supports an overall funding level that will provide $12 million annually <br />to implement USDA's share of the CRBSCP. The Council does not support USDA delaying the <br />adequate funding of the salinity control program hoping that with time more funds for the overall <br />program will be made available. <br /> <br />The Council is also very resistive to a philosophy that might allege that because of the substantial <br /> <br /> <br />state funding for a (ost sharing parallel program, federal funds can be shifted elsewhere. The states <br /> <br /> <br />are to be commendc'\.l for the implementation of the new parallel program. By federal law, the Basin <br /> <br /> <br />states must (ontrlhute funds in the amount of30% of the federal funds to this program. The states <br /> <br /> <br />have chosen to ere.!!e a parallel program and cost share up front. This means that for every federal <br /> <br />dollar made a\ad.!h"'. there is $1.43 in funds offered to producers for their cost sharing. When the <br /> <br /> <br />producer prondes the required share, more than 50% of the program is funded by non-federal funds. <br /> <br />The Council requests that USDA report how, at a national and state level, this significant cost <br /> <br /> <br />sharing is considered when EQIP funds are allocated. <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL <br />7 <br />