HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 2020-751
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RESOLUTION NO. 2020 - 75
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF WATER IMPORT
ALTERNATIVES AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR
THE SALTON SEA.
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Restoration Act (known as the California Fish and Game
Code 2931) in part provides that:
1. The State of California undertake the restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem and the
permanent protection of the wide variety of flora and fauna dependent upon the
ecosystem.
2. Restoration shall be based upon an approved preferred alternative utilizing the Salton
Sea Restoration Fund and other funds made available by the California Legislature
and the federal government.
3. Air quality impacts to the surrounding region, both existing and foreseeable, shall be
mitigated.
4. Complete engineering studies regarding water replenishment alternatives shall be
incorporated into the restoration plan of the Salton Sea.
5. Cooperation with local governments, nonprofit organizations, private businesses and
the public shall be included as a basis for moving forward.
WHEREAS, the State of California has developed the Salton Sea Management
Program through departments within the California Natural Resources Agency and
Environmental Protection Agency, and is obligated to pay for certain costs related to habitat,
air and water quality issues at the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, the California State Water Resources Control Board has an oversight role
in monitoring and ensuring progress towards the goals of the Salton Sea Management
Program, and has set a deadline of December 31, 2022, for the completion of a Tong -term
plan regarding the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2019, the City of Palm Desert adopted Resolution 2019-
06 in support of the memorandum of understanding between the County of Imperial and the
County of Riverside concerning unified support for the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 2019-06 stated, "Parties are supportive of comprehensive
analysis of ocean water importation as a Tong -term solution for the restoration of the Salton
Sea. Parties respectfully request analysis be conducted of ocean water importation and
incorporated into the Salton Sea Management Plan," and
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RESOLUTION NO. 2020 - 75
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Management Program has sufficient funding available to
conduct a comprehensive analysis of water import alternatives as part of the long-term
solution for the Salton Sea.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the City of Palm Desert requests the Salton
Sea Management Program to allocate sufficient funds for an immediate comparative
engineering review of the water import proposals accepted by the State of California in 2018.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 15th day of October 2020, by the City
Council of the City of Palm Desert, California by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: HARNIK, JONATHAN, KELLY, and NESTANDE
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: WEBER
ABSTAIN: NONE
ATTEST:
, z ea_
GI ACE L. ROCHA, ACTING CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
GINA NESTANDE, MAYOR
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