HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 Salton Sea SupportCITY COUNCILACTIOT4
APPROVED DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
REQUEST:
Recommendation
STAFF REPO- 'EETING DATE
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CITY MANAGER'S OF ,ks: Al(
ABSENT:
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Christopher Gerry, Senior ManagemeYYtFA' D BY• m'
Original on File with City Clerk's Office
Approve a letter of support to include $220 million in the State budget for the
restoration of the Salton Sea.
June 10, 2021
By minute motion, approve the submission of a letter of support to include $220 million in the State
budget for the restoration of the Salton Sea.
Background
In May 2021, the Governor released revisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 State budget. The
revised budget provides an update of revenues, expenditures, and reserve estimates based upon the
latest economic forecast and other factors.
The revised budget included $220 million for the restoration of the Salton Sea. Specifically, the
funding would increase the State's effort to implement the Salton Sea Management Program's Phase
1: 10-Year Plan, which calls for construction of nearly 30,000 acres of habitat and dust suppression
projects on exposed Iakebed by 2028.
The funding ensures continued progress to protect regional communities and wildlife, and to meet the
State's contractual and statutory obligations for dust control and habitat restoration. In addition,
restoration activities are required to mitigate public health and environmental threats caused by the
continual deterioration of the Salton Sea.
While the Governor's revised budget included funding for the Salton Sea, it is our understanding the
Legislature's version of the budget does not explicitly include this funding recommendation. Therefore,
the City's Legislative Review Committee convened to discuss the Legislature's version of the budget
regarding the Salton Sea. The Committee recommends submission of the attached letter of support,
which includes requesting $220 million in the State budget for restoration efforts of the Salton Sea.
The Legislature has until June 15th to pass the budget, and subsequently the Governor has up to 12
working days to sign the budget bill. Funding may also be available through budget trailer bills or other
negotiations.
LEGAL REVIEW
N/A
Robert W. Hargreaves
City Attorney
DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
N/A N/A N/A
L. Todd Hileman
City Manager
City Manager: L. Todd Hileman: L. ToPld f-f LeI4.t vv
ATTACHMENTS
A. Letter of Support
Janet Moore Andy Firestine
Director of Finance Assistant City Manager
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June 10, 2021
The Honorable Nancy Skinner
Chair, Senate Budget Committee
California State Senate
The Honorable Phil Ting
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
California State Assembly
Re: Support to include $220 million in the State Budget for the Salton Sea Restoration
On behalf of the Palm Desert City Council, I request the proposed State budget to include $220 million
in funding for the Salton Sea restoration in the final budget agreement.
New funding ensures continued progress to protect regional communities and wildlife, and to meet the
State's contractual and statutory obligations for dust control and habitat restoration. Specifically, the
funding would increase the State's effort to implement the Salton Sea Management Program's Phase
1: 10-Year Plan, which calls for construction of nearly 30,000 acres of habitat and dust suppression
projects on exposed lakebed by 2028. The funds could enable an additional 4,000 acres of deep -water
habitat, 1,000 acres of shallow water habitat, and 3,000 acres of dust suppression projects.
I commend Governor Newsom for previously including $220 million in the revised budget for
restoration of the Salton Sea. While the budget recommendation was in Governor Newsom's $268
billion revised budget, it is our understanding the Legislature's version of the budget does not explicitly
include this funding recommendation.
Although the Salton Sea has received funding in past bonds for project development, the State's
Salton Sea Management Program has not yet been fully funded due to strict limitations on how bond
funds may be spent. Without additional funding in the budget for the Salton Sea, California will
continue to fall behind in its legal and contractual obligations to protect the public health and
environment in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys.
As a matter of statewide concern, I respectfully request your consideration of Governor Newsom's
budget recommendation to ensure restoration activities are implemented to address any public health
and environmental threats caused by the continual deterioration of the Salton Sea.
Regards,
Kathleen Kelly
Mayor
cc: Governor Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Akins, Speaker of the Assembly Rendon