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<br />CHAPTER 5 - MEANS OF MAKING PLAN OPERATIONAL <br /> <br />o <br />t':' <br />-:1 <br />c;~ <br /> <br />Overview <br /> <br />The Forum has as its objective the overall coordination and implementation of projects, and <br />the continuing review of salinity changes and program effectiveness. At least every three years, the <br />Forum considers existing and projected water depletions and salt concentrations and, as needed and <br />feasible, recommends revisions in the schedule for implementing salinity control measures and/or <br />modifications of the numeric criteria. The Review includes examination of both federal and non- <br />federal programs. The Review is transmitted to the EP A and state water resources and pollution <br />control agencies, and is made available to others interested in the Colorado River Basin Salinity <br />Control Program. A key conclusion of this Review was set forth in Chapter 3 wherein the Basin <br />states find that the present numeric criteria are appropriate and no change in them is recommended <br />at this time. <br /> <br />The means of making the Plan of Implementation operational consists of having coordinated <br />planning for additional salt removal and seeking the necessary appropriations for carrying out those <br />goals. Accomplishment of the Salinity Control Program is dependent upon funding of the efforts <br />included in the Plan of Implementation. This is dependent upon agency budgetary requests being <br />made, Congressional appropriations being secured, and irrigation modifications and other salt <br />loading reduction practices being put into place and then kept operational. <br /> <br />Program Development and Implementation <br /> <br />Several significant legislative changes concerning the Salinity Control Program have <br />occurred over the last decade. These changes have affected both Reclamation and USDA's salinity <br />control programs and have given direction to the BLM. The Salinity Control Program is not static; <br />it is dynamic, and hence, the program needs to be evaluated, with changes being identified and <br />implemented, if needed. This year Congress enacted a new farm bill and as a result of that action, <br />changes are being implemented in the USDA salinity control program. <br /> <br />The Basinwide Salinity Control Program authorized in 1995 for Reclamation has proceeded <br />in a very timely way to implement cost-effective measures. When the legislation was enacted, a $75 <br />million ceiling was imposed by the Congress with the thought that the Basinwide Salinity Control <br />Program would be reviewed after a period of time to see if it was as successful as had been <br />anticipated. During the last three years, the program has been recognized as being very cost-effective <br />and Congress has acted to increase the ceiling by $100 million. The legislation to accomplish this <br />was drafted by and supported by the Forum. <br /> <br />5-1 <br />