HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 03-123RESOLUTION 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-,12---
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, Califomia, 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 Saaton 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:
A
EST:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
BENSON, CRITES, FERGUSON, KELLY, SPIEGEL
NONE
NONE
NONE
ROBERT A. SPIEG
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RACHE LE �®,1 S EN, 'TYYERK
CITY OF PAL„ ESERT, CALI RNIA