Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act passes Senate and House
Associated Press file
The water supply in Colorado just got one step closer to being more protected.
The Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act unanimously passed Congress, according to a news release Wednesday from the office of Sen. Michael Bennet. It heads to President Joe Biden for approval.
The bill, passed last week by a voice vote, will reduce the salt load in the Colorado River if signed by the White House.
“The proposed legislation, which is supported by all seven Colorado River Basin states, adjusts the cost-share percentages on portions of the Program to bring the cost-share in balance with program needs,” Don Barnett, executive director of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum. said in the release.
More than 11,600 tons of salt each year enters the Colorado River, according to a Bureau of Land Management news release earlier this year.
Naturally occurring high salinity levels can reduce crop yields, limit crop growth, kill trees and make land unsuitable for agriculture, according to the release.
“I’m glad we were able to pass this bill that will support ongoing efforts to keep water from the Colorado River safe for communities, farmers and ranchers, and water users throughout the entire Basin,” Bennet said.
The six programs, with five in Colorado, would provide assistance to people who are using salinity control measures with irrigation and canal systems to decrease salt levels.
The Hartland Ditch Improvement Project near Gunnison will receive funding of about $6.5 million with about $5.8 million going to the North Delta Canal Salinity Control Project near Delta, $1.4 million going to the Fire Mountain Canal Phase 2 Salinity Project near Paionia, $1.3 million going to the Grand Valley Irrigation Company Phase 6 Lining Project near Grand Junction and $2.2 million going to the Bostwick Park Hairpin Lateral Piping/Salinity Reduction Project near Montrose.




