Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />(2) The term 'Salton Sea Authority' means the Joint Powers Authority by that name <br />established under the laws of the State of California by a Joint Power Agreement signed on <br />June 2, 1993. <br />(3) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of <br />Reclamation. <br /> <br />TITLE I--SALTON SEA RECLAMATION PROJECT <br />SEC. 101. SALTON SEA RECLAMATION PROJECT AUTHORIZATION. <br />(a) IN'GENERAL- The Secretary, in accordance with this section, shall undertake a project to <br />reclaim the Salton Sea, Califomia. <br />(b) PROJECT REQUIREMENTS- The Project shall-- <br />(I) reduce and stabilize the overall salinity of the Salton Sea to a level between 35 and 40 <br />parts per thousand; <br />(2) stabilize the surface elevation of the Salton Sea to a level between 240 feet below sea <br />level and 230 feet below sea level; <br />(3) reclaim, in the long term, healthy fish and wildlife resources and their habitats; <br />(4) enhance the potential for recreational uses and economic development of the Salton Sea; <br />and <br />(5) ensure the continued use of the Salton Sea as a reservoir for irrigation drainage. <br />(c) FEASffiILITY STUDY- <br />(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall promptly initiate a study of the feasibility of various <br />options for meeting the requirements set forth in subsection (b). The purpose of the study <br />shall be to select 1 or more practicable and cost-effective options and to develop a <br />reclamation plan for the Salton Sea that implements the selected options. The study shall be <br />conducted in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under paragraph (5). <br />(2) OPTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED- Options considered in the feasibility study-- <br />(A) shall consist of-- <br />(i) use of impoundments to segregate a portion of the waters of the Salton Sea in 1 or <br />more evaporation ponds located in the Salton Sea basin; <br />(ii) pumping water out of the Salton Sea; <br />(iii) augmented flows of water into the Salton Sea; and <br />(iv) a combination of the options referred to in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii); and <br />(B) shall be limited to proven technologies. <br />(3) CONSIDERATION OF COSTS- In evaluating the feasibility of options, the Secretary <br />shall consider the ability of Federal, tribal, State and local government sources and private <br />. sources to fund capital construction costs and annual operation, maintenance, energy, and <br />replacement costs. In that consideration, the Secretary may apply a different cost-sharing <br />formula to capital construction costs than is applied to annual operation, maintenance, <br />energy, and replacement costs. <br />(4) SELECTION OF OPTIONS AND REPORT- Not later than 12 months after <br />commencement of the feasibility study under this subsection, the Secretary shall-- <br />(A) submit to the Congress a report on the findings and recommendations of the <br />feasibility study, including-- <br />(i) a reclamation plan for the Salton Sea that implements the option or options <br />selected under paragraph (1); and <br />