WSP07972 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

addition to collecting hydrologic data, the Water Resources Division conducts specific studies on surface water, ground water and water quality. (~...., (.0 ....,:t C'Y) Environmental Protection Aeencv The major EPA programs relating to Colorado River salinity control are: (1) water quality management planning; (2) water quality standards; (3) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits; (4) review of NEPA documents; (5) nonpoint source control under Section 319 of the Water Quality Act of 1987; (6) wetlands protection; and (7) the Underground Injection Control (VIe) Program. For the most part, these programs are either implemented by the states under federal statute (such as the water quality standards program) or delegated to the states by EPA (such as the NPDES program). EPA maintains oversight responsibilities for the assumed and delegated programs, and has responsibility for reviewing and approving water quality standards, including salinity. EP A continues to encourage the Basin states to develop and implement the basin-wide and state salinity control strategies. Section 303 of the Clean Water Act (the Act) requires states to adopt water quality standards, pursuant to their own laws, that are consistent with the applicable requirements of the Act. The Forum, through its Work Group, has been re-affirming the numeric criteria for salinity and developing a new basin-wide plan of implementation for salinity control for the seven Basin states every three years to satisfy the triennial review requirements of the Act. Following adoption of the standards by each state, it is the responsibility of the EP A regional administrators to approve or disapprove the standards based on consistency with the Act's requirements. EPA-drafted NPDES permits for federal and Indian facilities in the Colorado River Basin must incorporate the requirements set forth in the Forum's policies. EP A reviews NEP A documents for both salinity and non-salinity control projects of other agencies. Through review of non-salinity projects, EPA urges the identification of potential salinity impacts and encourages discussion of mitigation of adverse impacts as required by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500- 1508). For example, EPA will comment on potential salinity impacts, when appropriate, when reviewing EIS's for grazing and land management, recreational developments, mining and water development projects. In addition, EPA encourages the development of mitigation measures for adverse impacts to satisfy state and Forum policies for salinity control and through Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications for activities subject to federal permitting actions. The Forum policy encouraging the use of water with higher total dissolved solids for industrial purposes is being supported primarily through NEPA review responsibilities. The basis for wetland protection and mitigation is established in the regulations for compliance with NEPA, Executive Order 11990, and USDA policy. However, preserving irrigation-induced wetlands and reducing salt loading to the Colorado River may present conflicts between authorizing legislation and other regulatory programs. A portion of the salt load in the Colorado River system is attributed to seepage and deep percolation from leaking irrigation canals and laterals, and poor onfarm irrigation systems and water management. Some of these 4-13