COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes

Electronic Meeting (and Lake Las Vegas, NV)

October 27-28, 2021

Advisory Council Beginning Time: 

Designated Federal Officer

Presiding: 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 1:30 pm (PDT) 

Marcie Bainson

Chairman Bill Hasencamp

I. Welcome, Introductions Hasencamp

The Advisory Council (Council) Meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Hasencamp. 

The meeting was being held virtually via Zoom, but because many of the Advisory Council 

Members were assembled at Lake Las Vegas, NV for the Forum and other meetings, they 

collectively participated via Zoom with the rest of the Council. Chairman Hasencamp had 

Advisory Council Members in the room introduce themselves followed by those who were 

participating virtually. A list of the attendees at the meeting is attached to these minutes as 

Appendix A.

II. Opening Comments Bainson

Marcie Bainson, who was serving as the Designated Federal Officer for the meeting

welcomed everyone to the meeting. She explained that the meeting was officially being held

virtually but recognized that some of the Council Members were assembled at Lake Las

Vegas, NV for other meetings. She indicated that two new Council Members had been

appointed since the last meeting, Jessica Neuwerth (CA) and Joaquin Esquivel (CA) and that

in the meeting as alternates were Scott McGettigan for Todd Adams (UT), Charlie Ferrantelli

for Steve Wolff (WY) and Ali Effati for Rolf Schmidt-Petersen (NM).

III. Review and Approval of Agenda Hasencamp

Chairman Hasencamp asked for any comments on the proposed agenda. There were no

changes to the agenda, and it was approved (see Appendix B).

IV. Draft Minutes of 2021 Spring Council Meeting Hasencamp

Chairman Hasencamp then asked if there were any comments or proposed changes to the

draft minutes to the June 9, 2021, Advisory Council Meeting. There were no comments or

changes and, upon motion, the minutes as drafted were approved.

V. Charter Renewal Bainson

Bainson indicated that the Charter is coming up for renewal as it expires in August, 2022.

Reclamation is working on the process now which requires acceptance by the Department

of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

She indicated that the new Charter should be approved before it expires in August and in

advance of the Council meeting next October.
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 2 

VI. Items from the Forum Mitchell

Becky Mitchel reported on two items discussed by the Forum which are also on the Council’s 

agenda, namely, recommendations on FY2022 expenditures from the Lower Colorado River 

Basin Development Fund and recommended FY2023 Program funding levels. These items 

were taken up by the Council under other agenda items.

VII. Federal Agency Reports on 2021 Accomplishments

A. USGS Tom Marston

Tom Marston provided the report on behalf of USGS. He started by showing an 

organizational chart listing those within USGS involved in salinity control efforts. The 

organizational chart and other materials presented by Marston as described below

are shown in Appendix C. Marston showed a chart outlining the four areas of focus by 

USGS in providing Program science support and reviewed efforts within each focus 

area. Marston discussed USGS’ role in maintaining the 20 Stream Gage Network 

which is used by Reclamation in modeling salinity flows. He also highlighted USGS’

maintenance of SPARROW for salinity predictions.

Marston updated the Advisory Council on the large Upper Basin trends study. The 

first phase of study has been completed and has been published. It identifies 

downward trends in salinity prior to implementation of the CRBSCP. He reported on 

efforts in the second phase to identify the causes of such trends. He also indicated 

that there is a similar effort ongoing in the tributaries in the Lower Basin. They are 

only able to apply their methodology to stream reaches which are above dams. They 

have been able to identify some decreasing trends also in the Lower Basin reaches, 

but they appear to be more related to streamflow processes rather than the 

watershed processes identified as the cause in the Upper Basin. These might be more 

related to climatic shifts. A draft report of these findings will be worked on in the 

coming months.

Marston reported on efforts to create a dynamic SPARROW model which will simulate 

changes in irrigation over time. They have had early success in this effort and will 

continue to keep the Council informed as they move ahead. Marston also provided an 

update on study efforts on Pah Tempe Hot Springs. He reported on a bromide tracer 

effort that they have performed to help understand transit times and connectivity 

within the aquifer. He also reported on USGS’ data gap analysis effort to identify data 

availability and data needs for performing hydrosalinity analyses. The USGS is 

working with the Forum’s Work Group on identifying areas of interest for future 

studies.

Marston reported on USGS’ three-year high flow study. 2021, though dry, was 

marked with several high flow events which are beneficial for the study. The USGS 

has completed the hydrosalinity analysis on the Blacks Fork in Wyoming and the 

study has been published. 

Marston then reported on potential future areas of study. He discussed the Spanish 

Valley area along the Colorado River and the potential that future changes may lead to 

the discharge of briny groundwater directly to the Colorado River. He is working with 
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 3 

local entities on this potential study. He also alerted the Council of a potential study to 

look at how various climate change scenarios could impact base flow discharges to 

the Colorado River and how it might affect changes in the salinity loading to the 

Colorado River.

In response to a question, Marston indicated that the high flow study is funded by 

both salinity dollars and moneys from BLM. The intent is to determine the effect of 

monsoonal events on salinity loading and could lead to future management strategies. 

Marston also clarified that the bromide study at Pah Tempe, which requires yet 

additional analysis, will help understand the timing and efficiency of recovery of 

brine.

B. BLM Bob Boyd/Paula Cutillo

Paula Cutillo, BLM’s salinity coordinator, made the presentation on behalf of BLM (see 

Appendix D). Also participating from BLM were Bob Boyd from the National 

Operations Center and Scott Miller, National Program Lead of the Aquatic Resources 

Program which includes implementation of salinity control activities. Cutillo ran 

through BLM’s salinity organization chart. She indicated that BLM headquarters 

provides coordination of program implementation and budget oversight. She indicated 

that BLM provides both point and non-point salinity control. Cutillo outlined BLM’s 

efforts which include erosion control activities, data collection efforts and watershed 

modeling to quantify the effectiveness of their activities. She provided a chart which 

shows the types of activities and states where an average of $1.7 million has been 

expended by BLM since 2015. In FY2021 BLM allocated $2 million for salinity control 

activities. Cutillo then went through several slides and provided examples of BLM’s 

salinity control activities. She also reviewed the anticipated FY2022 funding to be used 

on 17 projects in five of the Colorado River Basin states.

Bob Boyd pointed out that the $2 million outline by Cutillo is just for the funds allocated 

by Congress to go specifically to Colorado River salinity control activities, and that there 

are other efforts which contribute to salinity control and which they are seeking to 

model.

C. NRCS Norm Evanstad/Anders Fillerup

Norm Evanstad initiated NRCS’ report. He started by showing an organizational chart 

of those involved in salinity control activities within NRCS. He noted that Ronnie Mauer 

has taken Dave Mason’s place as NHQ Salinity Program Manager. He highlighted the 

role of the Assistant State Conservationists in implementation of salinity control 

activities. He also highlighted that in 2021 NRCS in Colorado hired 27 new positions

and in Utah 10 new positions within the salinity project areas.

Anders Fillerup then reviewed implementation of salinity control during 2021. He 

showed a chart with funding levels since inception of the Program. He then reviewed 

several slides which showed program achievements by salinity control units which 

have been designated through an EA or EIS process. He also defined the Tier II areas 

as where salinity control activities are accomplished in the Upper Colorado River Basin 

but outside of designated salinity control units. As Fillerup reviewed the slides, there 
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 4 

were several questions and discussions about monitoring and verification of salinity 

control accomplishments as well as the EQIP participation requirement that lands 

needed to show adequate irrigation during two of the prior five years. 

Fillerup then reviewed the implementation efforts in FY2021. The reported “Tons 

Reduced” are based on an NRCS “salt sheet.” Fillerup also discussed the authorities in 

the Farm Bill for NRCS to work with Water Management Entities and provide funds for 

off-farm salinity control under EQIP.

Fillerup then discussed NRCS’ 3-Year Funding Plan. He indicated that the plan is

developed based on anticipated applications and NRCS’s ability to process and 

implement contracts. He then reported to the group the FY2022 EQIP funding 

allocations.

Evanstad then reviewed a slide showing the five PL566 projects which are under 

development in Utah within the Colorado River Basin. He provided insight on the 

status of the efforts and the process for approval. He highlighted NRCS’ exploratory 

efforts to develop a large PL566 project on the San Juan River. Erica Gaddis added that 

this effort is an extension of the cooperation and relationships which have been 

established among the entities in dealing with the Gold King Mine cleanup efforts. Dave 

Kanzer highlighted similar activities occurring in Colorado and asked that these efforts 

be included in future reports. Evanstad recognized the need to provide assistance to

other states and the potential significance of the PL566 Program within the Basin in the 

future. A copy of NRCS’ presentation is included as Appendix E. 

D. EPA Peter Monahan

Peter Monahan provided EPA’s report (see Appendix F). Monahan was representing 

all three regions of EPA within the Basin. Monahan reviewed the present EPA salinity 

organizational chart. He then reviewed a table showing the status of the efforts within 

each state and by EPA to adopt and approve the triennial reviews. He similarly 

reviewed a slide showing the status of development of water quality standards by the 

tribes within the Colorado River Basin. He highlighted the tribes which have fully 

developed all three water quality programs within the Basin. Monahan alerted the 

Council about EPA’s efforts to host roundtables on Waters of the United States 

(WOTUS). He also talked about other programs which provide salinity control as an 

additional benefit (i.e. 319 grant program).

E. FWS Creed Clayton

Creed Clayton, the FWS’ salinity coordinator, presented on behalf of the FWS (see 

Appendix G for a copy of Clayton’s materials). Clayton showed an abbreviated 

organizational chart of those in the FWS involved in the salinity control efforts. Clayton 

reviewed the FWS’ role in the Salinity Control Program. He talked about the potential 

of habitat loss through improved irrigation efficiency and the requirement to replace 

the lost habitat. He indicated that there have been efforts and a number of meetings 

over the past year to update scoring criteria and streamline the habitat replacement 

options. He then reported on his tabulation of the status of habitat replacement efforts

(tabulation along with other materials are included as Appendix G). He also discussed 

the Olsen Reservoir effort being worked on in Utah.
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 5 

F. Reclamation Marcie Bainson

Marcie Bainson provided Reclamation’s report. She started by reviewing 

Reclamation’s salinity control organization (see Appendix H for chart as well as other 

materials provided by Bainson) and key changes in personnel. She highlighted the fact 

that Jackie Gould is now the Lower Colorado Regional Director, Aung Hla is now 

Reclamation’s new Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program Manager with 

Melynda Roberts now being the Salinity Coordinator. She also noted that Ted Dunn is 

now the STRD Group Chief, replacing Katrina Grantz who is now a new Assistant 

Regional Director in the UC Region

Bainson then reviewed Reclamation accomplishments in FY 2021. She noted that 

Reclamation is continuing salinity modeling efforts in the Basin by using CE-QUAL-W2, 

CRSS and SEIM. She reported on several SIR studies which were underway as well as 

continuing efforts with the Seismic Risk Analysis at the Paradox Valley Unit. She 

reported on efforts to continue to look at options at Paradox for reinitiating injection 

operations prior to completion of the risk analysis. Bainson then provided a slide 

showing the current project underway in the Basinwide Program since 2015. She also 

mentioned that they are reviewing options for dealing with the extreme increase in 

pipe prices so as to avoid entities canceling existing projects. She then reviewed similar 

efforts under implementation through the Basin States Program.

In light of his announced retirement at the end of the year, Chairman Hasencamp took the 

privilege to recognize Bob Boyd for his dedicated service to the Salinity Control Program over 

a number of years. Several within the room expressed their appreciation to Bob and their 

recognition of his significant, and often behind the scenes, efforts to keep the Program moving 

forward.

VIII. Public Comment Hasencamp

There were no public comments. 

Recess Meeting: Approximately 4:00 pm (PDT)

Reconvene Meeting: Thursday, October 28, 2021, 8:30 am (PDT)

X. Reclamation

Marcie Bainson introduced Aung Hla who started the previous day as the new Colorado River 

Basin Salinity Control Program Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation. Aung took a few 

minutes to introduce himself. He is coming to Salt Lake City from a Reclamation area office 

in Nebraska. He indicated that he is looking forward to meeting with the group and working 

together. 

A. Basin Funds Status and Accounting Bainson/Chad Vellinga

a. Basin Fund Payments /Accrual

Bainson shared a spreadsheet showing the income and expenditures in the LCRBDF

(see Appendix I for Bainson’s materials). She noted the surprisingly, relatively high 

level of income to the LCRBDF in 2021. Hasencamp indicated that it is probably, at 
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 6 

least partly, due to a higher level of releases due to drought conditions. Bainson

noted the present and future potential accrual levels and expressed concerns over 

future increases. Due to a question regarding the LCRBDF, Bainson explained how 

the funding levels and requirements are set by statute and how the various factors

contribute to the creation of an accrual. Patrick Dent added that revenues to the 

LCRBDF are exclusively from power revenues which are specifically set by statute. 

Dent then asked why the forecasted budgeting at the Paradox Valley Unit were so 

high for a project that has been idled. Bainson indicated that she would need to get 

additional information on the matter and get back to the group. Dent expressed 

concern over the impact to the cost share requirements. Hasencamp asked why the 

future revenues in the LCRBDF show increases in 2026 and expressed concern that 

such may not be consistent with other forecasts. Rich Juricich asked about the 

status of the Solicitor’s Office’s efforts to look atthe opportunity for additional funds 

being provided to the LCRBDF. Bainson indicated that she does not know the status 

of the effort but believes that their opinion was leaning towards recognizing that 

non-power revenues could be provided to the fund.

B. Status of Basinwide Program Bainson

Bainson then reviewed a table showing contracts underway in the Basinwide 

Program. Most of the 2019 awarded contracts are finishing up their NEPA efforts. 

Bainson indicated that, depending on where things fall out with pipe costs, there 

will be adjustments later in the year as they balance funding with contract needs. 

C. Status of Basin States Program Bainson

Bainson then reviewed the contracts and costs under the Basin States Program. She 

indicated that the new state agreements are in place and vital to implementation of 

the Program. She reviewed the remaining items shown on the spreadsheet. She 

indicated that there is a need for a FOA in FY2022 so that we can expend the 

anticipated funding in FY2023. She also reviewed a tabulation of the SIR contracts

which are funded under the Basin States Program. She indicated that there is up to 

$600,000 allocated for SIR efforts next year due to the limited amount expended in 

FY2021. Bainson also reviewed miscellaneous expenses under the Basin States 

Program.

Bainson then reviewed a slide which showed the preliminary income, transfers and 

balances in the LCRBDF. In FY2021, $11.2 million was withdrawn from the fund. 

The final values should be available shortly.

Bainson indicated that Reclamation is looking into what can occur to help out with 

the increasing pipe costs to the existing awardees. She expressed appreciation for 

the assistance that the states have provided on this matter. She also discussed a 

tentative timeline for the 2022 FOA.

D. Update on State Ag Agreements projects Mark Quilter/Cindy Lair/Bill Brewer

Mark Quilter indicated to the group that the State of Utah has completed all its 

authorized projects. He then reviewed the tasks included in Utah’s new contract 

with Reclamation. The contract calls for them to promote the Basinwide and Basin 
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 7 

States Programs and assist people to participate in these programs, to participate 

in water efficiency projects, to assist entities in securing available funding sources, 

to participate in Work Group activities, help FOA applicants within habitat 

replacement projects and cultural resources compliance, stay up to date on water 

efficiency technology and oversee the salinity coordinator’s efforts.

Paul Kehmeier providing Colorado’s report in lieu of Cindy Lair. He similarly 

provided an overview of Colorado’s contract with Reclamation. It included

assistance with FOA applications, producers’ assistance with participation with 

NRCS in the Program, and assistance with habitat replacement projects. He 

indicated that the goal is to be a resource for the funding of water efficiency 

improvement projects. Gawain Snow noted that the timing of funding from various 

sources often lags what is anticipated and becomes difficult to manage.

Bill Brewer indicated that Wyoming’s Interstate Canal project is presently moving 

ahead under the Program.

E. Recommendations on the FY 2022 Management of the LCRBDF Mitchell

Becky Mitchell reviewed a draft joint letter from the Forum and the Advisory 

Council making recommendations on the use of LCRBDF moneys in FY2022. The 

letter had been approved the day before by the Forum. Patrick Dent raised a 

concern with the first recommendation to continue up-front cost share in the 

Paradox Valley Unit. Dent provided some history on past cost sharing and 

recommended that the states not be required to cost share until the project was up 

and running again. Dent indicated that this might help motivate efforts to move 

forward more quickly at Paradox as well as lessen the accrual balance in the 

LCRBDF. It would also encourage frugality in expenditures. There was discussion 

among the Council Members including a discussion of including this matter in the 

Advisory Council Report. Ultimately, there was a decision to add a footnote to the 

draft letter expressing the Council’s concerns. There was a motion that the 

Advisory Council advise Reclamation to suspend cost sharing effective immediately 

until brine injection resumes at the Paradox Valley Unit by amending the letter with 

a footnote and also include a similar discussion in the Advisory Council Report. 

XI. Allocation of Payments between Upper and Lower Basin Funds Bainson

After recommendation, there was a motion to keep the funding split between the 

Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and the Lower Colorado River Basin Development 

Fund at 15/85, respectfully. The motion passed.

XII. Reclamation – Impeller Replacements at Hoover Dam Mark Cook

Mark Cook, the facility manager at Hoover Dam, provided a presentation on

improvements at Hoover Dam to help mitigate some of the impacts of drought. He 

discussed their recent impeller replacement efforts which sought to improve overall 

efficiency over a broad range of heads. He reviewed the issues and the solutions which 

were incorporated into their turbine replacement effort (see Appendix J). They also 

adjusted the gates to pick up some additional capacity at lower pressures. They gained 

an overall increase in efficiency of 4% or 100 MW of capacity. Cook shared with the 
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 27-28, 2021 Page 8 

group a graph showing a fairly linear relationship between Hoover capacity and falling 

Lake Mead elevations. He also showed a graph with anticipated annual power 

production which includes steps due to DCP and other reductions in water releases. 

It does not account for the banking of water. Cook then showed the groups potential 

power production at various Lake Mead levels. Power production essentially ends at 

an elevation of 950 feet. There was a discussion of the ability to release sufficient 

water, independent of power production, at lower elevations. The conclusion was that 

water deliveries could occur down to an elevation of 895 feet.

XIII. Direction to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Hasencamp/Juricich

Direction was given to the TAG to continue to look at potential science proposals. 

XIV. 2021 Advisory Council Report Hasencamp

A. Program Funding Recommendations Hasencamp

There was a motion to include the funding requests outline in Memorandum 2021-36 

in the 2021 Advisory Council Report. The motion passed.

B. Discussion of Items for Report Juricich 

There were items brought up through the meetings to be incorporated into the report 

including several items relative to the Paradox Valley Unit (i.e., hasten the pace for the 

seismic risk analysis, not cost sharing in the project when it is inoperable). There was 

also a discussion to ask Reclamation to operate the PVU well within some safe level 

while the risk analysis is proceeding. There was also a discussion to include a request 

to Reclamation to work on improving the forecasting of revenues to the LCRBDF. 

Lastly, there was a general discussion to provide comments on the information 

presented per agencies’ accomplishments. 

XV. Items for the Forum Mitchell

There is a need to take back to the Forum, with the footnote amendment, the draft 

letter to Reclamation on the expenditures of LCRBDF dollars.

XVI. Other Business/Actions Hasencamp

There was no other business brought before the Council.

XVII. Public Comment Hasencamp

There were no public comments.

Adjourn Meeting: Approximately 10:00 am (PDT)