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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1I - Public CommentFrom:chuck Parker To:Lisa Middleton; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Dennis Woods; CityManager; City Clerk; Geoff Kors Subject:La Quinta, Rancho Mirage Pass Resolutions in Support of Refilling Salton Sea Date:Tuesday, May 24, 2022 6:16:56 AM Attachments:2022 La Quinta Salton Sea Revitalization Resolution.pdf Rancho Mirage Resolution and Staff Report 2022.pdf Palm Desert Draft Resolution 2022.docx NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Palm Springs City Council, Last week the cities of La Quinta and Rancho Mirage passed new resolutions reaffirming their support for refilling the Salton Sea by using ocean water import, and controlling greenhouse gas emissions by covering the thousands of acres of dry lakebottom. The city of Palm Desert is set to pass their resolution this Thursday, May 26. I am sending you these three cities' resolutions and staff reports to make it easier for your city to prepare your own resolution. (They are attached.)The contact persons in each city are: La Quinta - city manager, Jon McMillan city clerk, Monika Radeva Rancho Mirage - city manager, Isiah Hagerman management assistant, Jessica Pulliam Palm Desert - city manager, Todd Hileman assistant city manager, Heather Horning. These actions will make a major contribution to protecting a healthy environment, achieving Carbon Neutrality in California, and putting us in a position to address the worst drought in 1200 years by creating a large new source of fresh water by desalinating up to 200,000 acre feet of Salton Sea Water each year.5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I Thank you, Chuck Parker (760)880-6453 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I City of La Quinta CITY COUNCIL MEETING: May 17, 2022 STAFF REPORT AGENDA TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OCEAN WATER IMPORTATION TO REFILL THE SALTON SEA WHILE REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution supporting ocean water importation to refill the Salton Sea while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 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. In June 2018, the Counties of Imperial and Riverside entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together, along with local agencies, on agreed projects that would stabilize and restore the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea Coalition has requested the City’s adopt a resolution showing its continued support of ocean water import to refill the Salton Sea, and request the Ocean Water Importation Independent Review Panel assess potential carbon emissions when conducting the comprehensive analysis of ocean water import as long-range solutions. The Guiding Principles of the City’s Legislative Policy Guide support a proactive and thoughtful stance regarding the enhancement, preservation, and conservation of the desert environment with emphasis on the Salton Sea. FISCAL IMPACT – None. BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS Recognizing that cooperation among stakeholders affected by the Salton Sea is paramount to solve its complex challenges, Riverside and Imperial Counties CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 12 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I signed an MOU in June 2018, calling for joint planning to ensure smooth development of a multi-benefit project known as the Perimeter Lake. Both counties plan to work together with local agencies on agreed projects and financing mechanisms such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District (EIFD) which would support projects and stimulate economic development around the Salton Sea. This would include creating recreational lakes, supporting geothermal resource development, mitigating air quality issues, and preserving vital habitat. The City Council has adopted resolutions declaring its support as follows:  Resolution No. 2018-057, adopted November 20, 2018 – in support of the MOU, and recognizing the importance of collaboration among stakeholders affected by the Salton Sea as vital to solve the complex challenges and promote economic development, public health, air quality, and wildlife habitat.  Resolution No. 2019-012, adopted May 7, 2019 – in support of amending the MOU to include ocean water importation as a long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea.  Resolution No. 2020-039, adopted November 17, 2020 – declaring the City’s 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. The Ocean Water Import Independent Review Panel consists of scientists selected by UC Santa Cruz in August 2021 to conduct a comprehensive review of ocean water importation as part of the long-range solution for the Salton Sea that Coachella Valley cities called for in their resolutions in 2019 and 2020. The Long-Range Planning Committee of the Salton Sea Management Plan is comprised of state officials, agency officials, and a few representatives of the community. This committee is relying on Tetra Tech, a private engineering firm, to review plans from 15 years ago that were not implemented by the State due to the estimated $9 billion dollar cost. These plans do not include the importation of water, nor do they include any evaluation of potential greenhouse gas emissions. It is scientifically imperative to choose a long-term plan for the Salton Sea that takes greenhouse gas emissions into account. The planning committees have not explained the process or criteria for comparing the non-importation 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I proposals with the ocean water importation proposals, nor have they stated that they would evaluate the potential greenhouse gas emissions of the various plans. Finally, there is no public hearing scheduled during the months between now and December to receive public comments. The Salton Sea Coalition requested that public agencies impacted by the decline of the Salton Sea adopt resolutions supporting ocean water importation, including taking into account greenhouse gas emissions, as a long-term solution to restore the Salton Sea. The City’s Legislative Policy Guide is in line and supports the revitalization of the Salton Sea. Section VI – Encourage Preservation of Environment states in pertinent part that “La Quinta is a thriving desert oasis that supports a proactive and thoughtful stance regarding the enhancement and conservation of the desert environment that surrounds us including the Salton Sea.” ALTERNATIVES Council may elect to not adopt this resolution. Prepared by: Monika Radeva, City Clerk Approved by: Jon McMillen, City Manager 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I RESOLUTION NO. 2022 – XXX 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 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I Resolution No. 2022-0XX Support Analysis of Water Import Alternatives While Reducing Greenhous Gas Emission for Restoration of the Salton Sea Adopted: May 17, 2022 Page 2 of 3 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: 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I Resolution No. 2022-0XX Support Analysis of Water Import Alternatives While Reducing Greenhous Gas Emission for Restoration of the Salton Sea Adopted: May 17, 2022 Page 3 of 3 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: __________________________ LINDA EVANS, Mayor City of La Quinta, California ATTEST: _________________________ MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________ WILLIAM H. IHRKE, City Attorney City of La Quinta, California 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I RESOLUTION NO. 2022-_____ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SALTON SEA MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER THE IMPACTS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS DURING THE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF WATER IMPORT ALTERNATIVES AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR THE SALTON SEA WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Restoration Act (known as the California Fish and Game Code 2931) in part provides that: 1.The State of California undertake the restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem and the permanent protection of the wide variety of flora and fauna dependent upon the ecosystem. 2.Restoration shall be based upon an approved preferred alternative utilizing the Salton Sea Restoration Fund and other funds made available by the California Legislature and the federal government. 3.Air quality impacts to the surrounding region, both existing and foreseeable, shall be mitigated. 4.Complete engineering studies regarding water replenishment alternatives shall be incorporated into the restoration plan of the Salton Sea. 5.Cooperation with local governments, nonprofit organizations, private businesses and the public shall be included as a basis for moving forward. WHEREAS, the State of California has developed the Salton Sea Management Program through departments within the California Natural Resources Agency and Environmental Protection Agency, and is obligated to pay for certain costs related to habitat, air and water quality issues at the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, the California State Water Resources Control Board has an oversight role in monitoring and ensuring progress towards the goals of the Salton Sea Management· Program, and has set a deadline of December 31, 2022, for the completion of a long-term plan regarding the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, on February 14, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-06 in support of the memorandum of understanding between the County of Imperial and the County of Riverside concerning unified support for the Salton Sea; and 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2019-06 stated, "Parties are supportive of comprehensive analysis of ocean water importation as a long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea. Parties respectfully request analysis be conducted of ocean water importation and incorporated into the Salton Sea Management Plan," and WHEREAS, on October 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020- 75 in support of the Salton Sea Management Program including funding for a comparative analysis of water import options to save the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, the Salton Sea Management Program has established an Independent Review Panel to review the concepts for water importation to the Slaton Sea for it’s long-term restoration. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows: 1. The City Council reiterates their support of the Salton Sea Management Program conducting a comparative review of the water import proposals accepted by the State of California in 2018 through the Independent Review Panel. 2. The City Council requests that the Independent Review Panel for Salton Sea water importation established by the Salton Sea Management Program consider the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions during the comprehensive analysis of water import alternatives as part of the long- term solution for the Salton Sea. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 26th day of May 2022 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: JAN C. HARNIK MAYOR ATTEST: ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC, CITY CLERK 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I CITY OF� MIRAG� � � STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Jessica L. Pulliam, Sr. Management Analyst Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager DATE: May 19, 2022 SUBJECT: Resolution Declaring Continued Support for a Comprehensive Analysis of All Water Import Alternatives for the Long-Term Solution for the Restoration of the Salton Sea and a Request that Potential Carbon Emissions be Considered in the Feasibility Analysis SPECIFIC REQUEST OR RECOMMENDATION That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Declaring the Continued Support for the Comprehensive Analysis of All Water Import Alternatives and a Request that the Independent Review Panel Have Potential Carbon Emissions Considered During the Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis as Part of the Long-Term Solution for the Restoration of the Salton Sea. JUSTIFICATION OR INFORMATION BACKGROUND: The Salton Sea is California's largest lake located in the County of Imperial and the County Riverside. The inflow of water to the Sea has decreased and is at substantial risk of irreversible damage that threatens wildlife and public health. The State of California ("State") has developed a 10-year Salton Sea Management Plan ("SSMP") through departments within the California Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agencies. The State is obligated to pay for certain costs related to habitat, air and water quality issues at the Salton Sea. The California State Water Resources Control Board has an oversight role in monitoring and ensuring progress towards the goals of the SSMP and has set a deadline of December 31, 2022, for the completion of a long-term plan regarding the Salton Sea. In December of 2017, the State released a Request for Information, in which eleven proposals were received which included a water importation component. Following the establishment of an Independent Review Panel (Panel), an updated RFI was issued on August 13, 2021, to allow respondents to provide updates to their responses and to solicit additional responses. In total, 18 responses were received, including updates to the original 11 responses and seven new responses. AGENDA ITEM# 8-1 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I DATE: May 19, 2022 Page 2 of 3 JUSTIFICATION OR INFORMATION CONTINUED: In April of 2022 these responses were reviewed by the Panel with the assistance of a research and analysis support team. This support team includes Professors, Staff and Graduate Researchers from UC Santa Cruz, Kennedy Jenks Consulting Engineers and Scientists as well as other specialty contractors. Of the 18 responses, five were deemed to not conform to the RFI and will not be considered further. The 13 responses that conformed to the requirements of the RFI will be considered in the feasibility analysis. The feasibility analysis will consist of a fatal flaw analysis followed by a detailed analysis of technical and economic feasibility of responses that satisfy the set fatal flaw analysis criteria. The Feasibility Report is expected to be released this summer followed by the Summary Report in late summer of 2022. A recent report by Jenny R. Ross, of the Stout Research Center, entitled, "POTENTIAL MAJOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM PROPOSED SAL TON SEA LONG-RANGE PLANS," warns that many of the currently proposed long-range plans will cause large emissions of greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide and methane. This has caused alarm and prompts a desire that all proposals have greenhouse gas emissions considered during the feasibility study. INFORMATION: It is the desire of the City of Rancho Mirage to work in a collaborative manner and to take coordinated and cooperative action with other agencies to further stabilize the Salton Sea on such restoration efforts which would protect and improve public health, air quality, and wildlife habitat. As such, on July 18, 2019, the City of Rancho Mirage adopted Resolution 2019-42 declaring support for a comprehensive analysis and review of all water import alternatives as a long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea. On November 5, 2020, the City of Rancho Mirage adopted Resolution 2020-39 declaring continued support for a comprehensive analysis of all water import alternatives as part of the long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea. The attached Resolution declares continued support for the comprehensive analysis of all water import alternatives and requests that potential carbon emissions be considered during analysis as part of the long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea. This continued support encourages the State to continue to aggressively pursue the analysis of water import alternatives and prompts the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions as part of feasibility studies while maintaining the current December 31, 2022, completion deadline set by the California State Water Resources Control Board for the long-term plan regarding the Salton Sea. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact as a result of approving this Resolution. AGENDA ITEM# 8-2 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I DATE: May 19, 2022 Page 3 of 3 JUSTIFICATION OR INFORMATION CONTINUED: RECOMMENDATION That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Declaring the Continued Support for the Comprehensive Analysis of All Water Import Alternatives and a Request that the Independent Review Panel Have Potential Carbon Emissions Considered During the Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis as Part of the Long-Term Solution for the Restoration of the Salton Sea. ATTACHMENT{S): 1.Resolution Declaring the Continued Support for the Comprehensive Analysis of All Water Import Alternatives and a Request that the Independent Review Panel Have Potential Carbon Emissions Considered During the Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis as Part of the Long-Term Solution for the Salton Sea AGENDA ITEM# 8-3 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION (SEE ATTACHED) 8-4 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I RESOLUTION NO. 2022-__ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF ALL WATER IMPORT ALTERNATIVES AND A REQUEST THAT THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL HAVE POTENTIAL CARBON EMISSIONS CONSIDERED DURING THE COMPREHENSIVE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE SALTON SEA WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Mirage ("City") is a charter city and recognized for certain purposes as a political subdivision of the State of California; and WHEREAS, the State of California ("State") has developed the Salton Sea Management Plan ("SSMP") through departments within the California Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agencies and is obligated to pay for certain costs related to habitat, air and water quality issues at the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, the California State Water Resources Control Board has an oversight role in monitoring and ensuring progress towards the goals 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, in December of 2017, the State released a Request for Information, in which eleven proposals were received which included a water importation component. Following the establishment of an Independent Review Panel (Panel), an updated RFI was issued on August 13, 2021 to allow respondents to provide updates to their responses and to solicit additional responses. In total, 18 responses were received, including updates to the original 11 responses and seven new responses; and WHEREAS, in April of 2022, these responses were reviewed by the Panel. The thirteen conforming responses will be considered in the Feasibility Analysis. The Feasibility Analysis will consist of a fatal flaw analysis followed by a detailed analysis of technical and economic feasibility of responses that satisfy the fatal flaw analysis criteria. The Feasibility Report is expected to be released this summer, followed by the Summary Report in late summer of 2022; and WHEREAS, on July 18, 2019, the City adopted Resolution 2019-42, declaring support for a comprehensive analysis and review of all water import alternatives as a long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, on November 5, 2020, the City adopted Resolution 2020-39, declaring continued support for a comprehensive analysis of all water import alternatives as part of the long-term solution for the restoration of the Salton Sea; and WHEREAS, a recent report by Jenny R. Ross, titled "Potential Major Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Proposed Salton Sea Long-Range Plans", warns that many of the currently proposed long-range plans will cause large emissions of greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, prompting the desire all proposals have greenhouse gas emissions considered during the feasibility study. 8-5 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Recitals. That the Recitals set forth above are true and correct. Section 2. Independent Review Panel Consider Potential Carbon Emissions. That the Water Importation Independent Review Panel consider potential carbon emissions when conducting the comprehensive analysis that was requested previously by the City, and that such analysis must include emissions from a drying lakebed and proposed shallow water bodies as well as construction related emissions. Section 3. Long-Range Planning Committee of SSMP to Assess Carbon Emissions. That the Long-Range Planning Committee of the Salton Sea Management Program assess potential carbon emissions of all other long-range solutions under consideration to address the man-made problems of the Salton Sea. Section 4. Continued Support of Water Import Alternatives to Refill Salton Sea. That the City continue its support of water import alternatives to refill the Salton Sea. Section 5. Severability. That should any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Resolution be rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this Resolution as hereby adopted shall remain in full force and effect. Section 4. Repeal of Conflicting Provisions. That all the provisions heretofore adopted by the City Council that are in conflict with the provisions of this Resolution are hereby repealed. Section 5. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption. Section 6. Certification. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions. 8-6 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 19th day of May, 2022. CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE Charles Townsend, Mayor ATTEST: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Steven B. Quintanilla, City Attorney 8-7 5/26/2022 Public Comment Item 1I