HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2022-041RESOLUTION NO. 2022-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS SUPPORT
FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL ESTABLISHED BY
THE SAL TON SEA MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO REVIEW
AND CONSIDER THE IMPACTS OF GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS DURING THE 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 Council adopted Resolution No.
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
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-41
WHEREAS, Resolution No . 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
WHEREAS, on October 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No . 2020-
75 in support of the Salton Sea Management Program including funding for a comparative
analysis of water import options to save the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Management Program has established an
Independent Review Panel to review the concepts for water importation to the Slaton Sea
for it's long-term restoration .
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California , as follows:
1. The City Council reiterates their support of the Salton Sea Management
Program conducting a comparative review of the water import proposals
accepted by the State of California in 2018 through the Independent Review
Panel.
2. The City Council requests that the Independent Review Panel for Salton
Sea water importation established by the Salton Sea Management Program
review and consider the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions during the
comprehensive analysis of water import alternatives as part of the long-
term solution fo r the Salton Sea.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 26th day of May 2022 by the
following vote , to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
A TEST:
JONATHAN, KELLY, NESTANDE, QUINTANILLA, and HARNIK
NONE
NONE
NONE
LERK
ORNIA
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JC.HARNIK MAYOR