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<br />~~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />H. R. 3267-2 <br /> <br />and cost analyses for the options set forth in subsection (b)(2)(A) <br />necessary for Congress to fully evaluate such options. <br />(b) FEAsWlLITY STUDY.- <br />(1) IN GENERAL.- <br />(A) The Secretary shall complete all studies, including, <br />but not limited to environmental and other reviews, of <br />the feasibility and benefit-cost of various options that per- <br />_ mit the continued use of the Salton Sea as a reservoir <br />for irrigation drainage and: (i) reduce and stabilize the <br />overall salinity of the Salton Sea; (ii) stabilize the surface <br />elevation of the Salton Sea; (iii) reclaim, in the long term, <br />healthy fish and wildlife resources and their habitats; and <br />(iv) enhance the potential for recreational uses and eco- <br />nomic development of the Salton Sea. <br />(B) Based solely on whatever information is available <br />at the time of submission of the report, the Secretary <br />shall: (i) identify any options he deems economically fea- <br />sible and cost effective; (ii) identify any additional informa- <br />tion necessary to develop construction specifications; and <br />(ill) submit any recommendations, along with the results <br />of the study to the Committees no later than January <br />1, 2000. <br />(C)(i) The Secretary shall carry out the feasibility study <br />in accordance with a memorandum of understanding <br />entered into by the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, <br />and the Governor of California. <br />(ii) The memorandum of understanding shall, at a <br />minimum, establish criteria for evaluation and selection <br />of options under subparagraph (2)(A), including criteria <br />for determining benefit and the magnitude and practicabil- <br />ity of costs of construction, operation, and maintenance <br />of each option evaluated. <br />(2) OnIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.-Options considered in <br />the feasibility study- <br />(A) shall consist of, but need not be limited to- <br />(i) use of impoundments to segregate a portion <br />of the waters of the Salton Sea in one or more evapo- <br />ration ponds located in the Salton Sea basin; <br />(ii) pumping water out of the Salton Sea; <br />(ill) augmented flows of water into the Salton Sea; <br />(iv) a combination of the options referred to in <br />clauses (i), (ii), and (ill); and <br />(v) any other economically feasible remediation <br />option the Secretary considers appropriate and for <br />which feasibility analyses and cost estimates can be <br />completed by January 1, 2000; <br />(B) shall be limited to proven technologies; and <br />(C) shall not include any option that- <br />(i) relies on the importation of any new or <br />additional water from the Colorado River; or <br />(ii) is inconsistent with the provisions of sub- <br />section (c). <br />(3) AsSUMPTIONs.-In evaluating options, the Secretary <br />shall apply assumptions regarding water inflows into the Salton <br />Sea Basin that encourage water conservation, account for trans- <br />fers of water out of the Salton Sea Basin, and are based <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />