CC Resolution 2022-012 Salton Sea Reducing Greenhouse Gas RESOLUTION NO. 2022 – 012
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING
ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OCEAN WATER
IMPORTATION TO REFILL THE SALTON SEA
WHILE REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the inflow of water to the Salton Sea has decreased and
pursuant to the Quantification Settlement Agreement, mitigation water inflows
ended on December 31, 2017, and without restoration or stabilization
measures, the Salton Sea will rapidly decline; and
WHEREAS, The State of California (“State”) has developed the Salton
Sea Management Program (“SSMP”) through departments within the
California Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agencies and is
obligated to pay for certain costs related to habitat, and water quality issues
at the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, On November 20, 2018, the City of La Quinta adopted
Resolution No. 2018-057 in support of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with Riverside and Imperial Counites to work together with local
agencies to collaborate with stakeholders affected by the Salton Sea. The goal
was to solve complex challenges and promote economic development, public
health, air quality, and wildlife habitat;
WHEREAS, the California State Water Resources Control Board has an
oversight role in monitoring and ensuring progress towards the goal of the
SSMP and has set a deadline of December 31, 2022, for the completion of a
long-term plan regarding the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, On May 7, 2019, the City of La Quinta adopted Resolution
No. 2019-012 to amend the MOU between the Counties of Imperial and
Riverside to include ocean water importation analysis and incorporate it into
the State’s 10-year SSMP plan, and for agencies and stakeholders to begin
the analysis of water import alternatives so it could be completed by the
December 31, 2022, deadline as set forth by the California State Water
Resources Control Board for the long-term plan to restore the Salton Sea; and
WHEREAS, the State requires that any water import project proposal
include an engineering and logistic feasibility study conducted on behalf of the
Resolution No. 2022-012
Support Analysis of Water Import Alternatives While Reducing Greenhous Gas Emission for Restoration of the Salton Sea
Adopted: May 17, 2022
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proponent by an accredited or licensed engineering, planning, or equivalent
organization recognized by the State prior to consideration by the SSMP; and
WHEREAS, the State prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an
independent reviewer panel to conduct a feasibility study of water importation
proposals in February 2020 and again in June 2020, neither of which received
response; and
WHEREAS, on November 17, 2020, the City of La Quinta adopted
Resolution No. 2020-039 declaring its continued support of a comprehensive
analysis of all water import alternatives as part of the long-term solution for
the Salton Sea; and calling for the State to continue to pursue the creation of
an Ocean Water Importation Independent Review Panel to analyze water
import alternatives and to allocate $2 million out of the $507.5 million
available funds for engineering review of ocean water imports into the Salton
Sea; and
WHEREAS, The Ocean Water Importation Independent Review Panel
must consider potential carbon emissions when conducting the previously
requested comprehensive analysis of ocean water import. This analysis must
include emissions from a drying lakebed and proposed shallow water bodies
as well as construction related emissions, to reduce greenhouse gasses to the
atmosphere while considering long-range solutions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of La Quinta, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. The City of La Quinta declares its continued support of ocean
water import to refill the Salton Sea. This is the long-range plan most likely
to restore the ecosystem, protect public health, support recreation and
tourism, contribute to a vigorous regional economy, and avoid ongoing
releases of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
SECTION 2. The City of La Quinta requests that the Ocean Water
Importation Independent Review Panel consider potential carbon emissions
when conducting the comprehensive analysis of ocean water import, as
requested in Resolution Nos. 2019-012 and 2020-039. This analysis must
include emissions from a drying lakebed and proposed shallow water bodies
as well as construction related emissions.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta City Council held on this 17th day of May, 2022, by the following vote: