Opinion ID: 393673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Elements of the State Water Quality Standards for Salinity

Text: 19 The states' water quality standards for salinity include both narrative and numeric criteria, a plan of implementation, and other factual information on salinity in the Colorado River. The numeric criteria were established at three key points on the lower main stem of the River employing the flow-weighted average annual salinity concentrations for the year 1972. 23 24 20 In addition, each basin state adopted a proposal for a water-quality monitoring and analysis program as an integral segment of the standards. The program's purpose is to provide information on a basinwide basis for plan evaluation. Seventeen points on the River were selected to aid in both the measurement of the effectiveness of salinity control projects and programs, and to serve as a continuous informational source of salinity levels throughout the entire basin. The monitoring points are not locations where numeric criteria are established, except at the three key points on the lower main stem. The majority of the points are, in fact, located in the upper-basin. The points are usually the lowest locations near statelines at which measurements are taken on the River's major tributaries. 21 The water quality standards also include narrative provisions which require salinity to be viewed as a basinwide problem. The provisions' purpose is to maintain salinity at or below 1972 levels found in the River's lowest reaches. Allowances are made, within the narrative provisions, for temporary increases above the 1972 levels, on the condition that control measures to offset such increases are included in the implementation plan. 22 The water quality standards for salinity also include a plan of implementation (hereinafter 1975 plan). The plan details various federal and nonfederal projects and programs for the control of salinity; reviews possible future salinity control efforts; provides for review and revision, as needed, of the water quality salinity standards; and estimates model projections of future flow levels, water uses, and salinity levels. 25 The primary goal of the plan is to reduce the salt load of the River. The principal components of the 1975 plan are as follows: 26 (1) prompt construction and operation of four initial salinity control units authorized by Section 202 of the CRBSCA, 43 U.S.C. § 1592 (1976 and Supp. III 1979); (2) future construction of the twelve other units listed in Section 203 of the CRBSCA, 43 U.S.C. § 1593 or their equivalents after receipt of favorable planning reports; (3) the placing of effluent limitations, principally under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), on industrial dischargers, Clean Water Act, Section 402; (4) the reformulation of previously authorized, but unconstructed, federal water projects to reduce the salt loading effect; (5) the use of saline water for industrial uses whenever practical; and (6) the institution of miscellaneous water user programs and the commencement of future possible salinity control programs. The 1975 plan is categorized into four separate components: (1) control of existing point sources; (2) diffuse source control; (3) irrigation source control; and (4) control of new point sources.