HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 03-123 Salton Sea Authority CITY OF PALM DESERT
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Adopt Resolution No. 03-:123 A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Supporting the Salton Sea Authority as
Lead Agency in Identifying and Implementing Corrective Measures to
Preserve the Beneficial Uses of the Salton Sea.
SUBMITTED BY: Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager
DATE: December 11, 2003
CONTENTS: 1. Resolution No. 03-123
2. College of the Desert General Obligation Bond Measure F.A.Q.
Recommendation
By Minute Motion: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 03-.173 A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Supporting the Salton Sea Authority as Lead Agency in
Identifying and Implementing Corrective Measures to Preserve the Beneficial Uses of the
Salton Sea.
Background
The Salton Sea Authority is a joint powers agency chartered by the State of California (via a Joint
Powers Agreement) on June 2, 1993, for ensuring the Salton Sea's beneficial uses.
The Authority is comprised of the following cooperating agencies: the Coachella Valley Water
District, the Imperial Irrigation District, Riverside County, and Imperial County. A number of
federal, state, and tribal agencies are ex-officio members of the Authority, including CVAG, which
recently designated a representative.
The Authority was formed to work with California state agencies, federal agencies, and the
Republic of Mexico to develop programs that would continue beneficial use of the Salton Sea. In
the agreement, "beneficial use" includes the primary purpose of the Sea as a depository for
agricultural drainage, storm water and wastewater flows. The protection of endangered species,
fisheries, and waterfowl and maintaining recreational purposes are also considered beneficial
uses. Staff recommends that the City Council demonstrate its support of the Authority in
preserving the aforementioned beneficial uses, by passing a resolution indicating such.
Submitted By: CITY COUNCIL )hCTION:
APPROVED ✓ DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER_
MEETINgA, TA
AYES: t 1 Lt�CGYI j,
Car os L. O ga NOES: /N
City Manager ABSENT: }`1L
ABSTAIN: 11
VERIFIED BY:
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\OLK5203\Salton Sea Reso.Rep rOc�oclginal on File (it City Clerk's Office
RESOLUTION NO. 03- 123
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE
SALTON SEA AUTHORITY AS LEAD AGENCY IN
IDENTIFYING AND IMPLEMENTING CORRECTIVE
MEASURES TO PRESERVE THE BENEFICIAL USES OF
THE SALTON SEA.
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea is California's largest inland water body with
beneficial uses including fisheries and wildlife habitat, recreation, and preservation of
endangered species; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea's ecosystem is a critical link on the
international Pacific flyway, has supported a productive fishery and over 300 species of
birds, and is critical given the decrease in California wetlands; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea is threatened by increasing salinity and water
loss; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Authority is a joint powers agency chartered
by the State of California in a Joint Powers Agreement on June 2, 1993, and is the lead
agency for identifying and implementing corrective measures to preserve the Salton
Sea's beneficial uses; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Authority has made a concerted effort to
collect all known suggestion for remediation of the Salton Sea and has subjected these
proposals to formal review against specified criteria. The Salton Sea Authority has
implemented, with various partners, projects and programs to improve wildlife health,
the fishery, water quality, and the aesthetic environment of the area. The Authority is
also taking concrete steps in preparing for the detailed planning of a remediation
project; and
WHEREAS, recent State legislation linked to the Colorado River
Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) recognizes the Salton Sea as a critical
environmental issue to be addressed and provides up to $50 million in Proposition 50
funds and approximately $300 million from the sale of water, which would otherwise
flow to the Sea for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, in response to the recent state QSA legislation, the State of
California is currently undertaking a new Salton Sea Restoration process funded by
Proposition 50 funds; and
WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Authority Board of Directors is on record of
expressing concerns that the new State process will potentially duplicate efforts, waste
resources, and delay selection of a preferred project.
Resolution No. 03-.123
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, does hereby support the Salton
Sea Authority as lead agency in identifying and implementing corrective measures to
preserve the beneficial uses of the Salton Sea; and
2. Available funding should be directed/redirected to the Salton Sea Authority for
restoration an remediation efforts specifically related to the Slaton Sea; and
3. The City of Palm Desert urges the State not to pursue a new restoration study process
unilaterally and that the State join the Salton Sea Authority, the Bureau of Reclamation,
the Salton Sea Science Office, regional universities, and others in building on the work
done-to-date; and
4. This resolution be provided to the Governor's Office, key state and federal legislators,
and other interested parties.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California at its regular meeting held on the 11th day of December 2003, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: BENSON, CRITES, FERGUSON, KELLY, SPIEGEL
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ROBERT A. SPIEGEL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA