Number: 1986-18
WHEREAS, irrigation of agricultural land clearly is important to the production of world food supply and to the economy of the nation; and
WHEREAS, several irrigated areas have acute drainage and salt management problems and other potential drainage problem areas are likely to exist; and
WHEREAS, chemicals and toxic trace elements, including selenium and salts contained in irrigation runoff, damage fish and wildlife habitat, soils, and the water quality of lakes, streams, estuaries, and groundwater, and threaten public health; and
WHEREAS, the underpricing of federally-subsidized irrigation water and pumping power encourages the overuse of water; and
WHEREAS, irrigation water runoff is specifically exempted from the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1986, in Seattle, Washington, urges federal and state agencies and irrigation operators to implement such measures as are necessary to safely dispose of irrigation water runoff; change cropping patterns to reduce runoff of harmful substances; phase out federal subsidies to water and power users that encourage excessive application of irrigation water; devise appropriate regulatory mechanisms to ensure the prompt reduction of harmful discharges; reduce acreage to be irrigated where waste disposal solutions are inadequate or otherwise unobtainable; and continue research on the problem.