Salinity Forum: What? How? Why?

Historically, salinity in the Colorado River System has increased significantly due to export of high quality water from the upper reaches and salt pickup from irrigation return flow. Actions in any part of the basin (including parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) affect the problem, and a basinwide approach is highly desirable. Although damages due to salinity are principally experienced in the lower basin, implications of the Clean Water Act make solving the problem a matter of concern for the upper basin as well. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum, an interstate organization, was created in 1972 to address the problem. The forum has been very successful because there is a clear mission to which all members are committed, and the forum members can normally expect their decision to be supported by their governors.