Salinity Policy for Colorado River Basin

Abstract

The water quality goal for the Colorado River of maintaining salinity concentrations in the lower stem at or below present levels (nondegradation salinity policy) has considerable merit. The nondegradation salinity policy should be applied to each state, not by setting numerical standards, but by offsetting salinity detriments resulting from each new development with salinity control measures that will maintain a net salt balance leaving state boundaries. Salinity detriments from one water-use sector (e.g., coal strip mining or oil shale development) could be mitigated by investing in salinity control measures in another water-use sector (e.g., improvements in existing irrigation systems). A flexible state policy will result in improved water management that will facilitate water development.