HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2020-75 - Salton SeaResolution 2020-75
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
MEETING DATE: October 15, 2020
PREPARED BY: Randy Bynder, Interim City Manager
REQUEST: Consideration of a Resolution in support of the Salton Sea Management
Program including funding for a comparative analysis of water import
options to save the Salton Sea.
Recommendation
That the City Council adopt the attached Resolution in support of the Salton Sea Management
Program including funding for a comparative analysis of water import options to save the
Salton Sea.
Backaround
At its meeting of September 24, 2020 Council directed staff at the request of Councilperson
Harnik to prepare a Resolution of Support to encourage the State of California to move
forward with a comparative engineering review of the water import proposals received by the
state in late 2018.
Council may recall that in 2019 at the request of the Salton Sea Authority the City of Palm
Desert along with other cities in the valley passed a resolution in support of the MOU between
the Counties of Imperial and Riverside to send a message of unified support to the State of
California to expedite remediation of the Salton Sea, in whatever form restoration may take
for the sake of averting further environmental and economic degradation of our region.
Today's resolution is prepared at the request of the Salton Sea Coalition, a stakeholder group
not affiliated with the Salton Sea Authority. It is not in conflict with your previous resolution,
but rather is brought forth as a way for the City to provide continued support for action and
encourage the State of California to keep restoration at the forefront of theirs (and ours)
environmental and economic priorities.
Attachment
Salton Sea Resolution dated Oct 15, 2020
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA,
DECLARING ]TS 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 long-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 long-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:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
GRACE L. ROCHA, ACTING CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
GINA NESTANDE, MAYOR
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
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Sanchez, Gloria
From: chuck Parker <pchuck48@gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 11:02 AM o c.%
To: CouncilMeeting Comments �. 0rn
Subject: Salton Sea Resolution No. 2020-75 Agenda Item 15. cn'!
<
Dear Palm Desert City Council,
I see that you have a resolution expressing
your continued support for the comprehensive
analysis of water import as part of the long-term
solution for the Salton Sea, and that passage is
recommended.The Salton Sea Coalition wants to
thank you for this important resolution. We would
also like to urge the council to appoint one of
your number as a representative on the Engagement
Committee of the Salton Sea Management Plan. Up
until this time, none of the cities of the
Coachella Valley have been represented on this
committee. We need to be part of these
discussions to insure that our communities are
not forgotten about, and so our leaders can help
give input for the best possible outcome for a
restored Salton Sea and surrounding area. The
Engagement Committee meets quarterly, and their
next meeting will be in December. Please contact
Arturo Delgado, the head of the Salton Sea
Management Plan with your request. His email is:
arturodelgadoCresources.ca.gov, and his office
phone number in Bermuda Dunes is (760)200-9186.
Thank you very much, Chuck Parker (760)880-6453.
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