Salton Sea Restoration Council.

Existing law requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Water Resources, the Salton Sea Authority, appropriate air quality districts, and a specified advisory committee, to undertake a restoration study to determine a preferred alternative for the restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem and the protection of wildlife dependent on that ecosystem. Existing law establishes the Salton Sea Restoration Fund, which is administered by the Director of Fish and Game, and requires the moneys in that fund to be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for various actions on behalf of the Salton Sea, including the implementation of the preferred Salton Sea restoration alternative. This bill would establish the Salton Sea Restoration Council as a state agency in the Natural Resources Agency to oversee the restoration of the Salton Sea. For the purpose of developing a restoration plan, the bill would require the council to evaluate Salton Sea restoration plans and, by June 30, 2013, report to the Governor and the Legislature with a recommended Salton Sea restoration plan. The bill would require the council to comply with specified requirements in conducting its duties. The bill would prescribe requirements relating to the composition and administration of the council. The council would be required to include an executive committee, a science committee, a local government forum, and a stakeholder forum, as specified. The executive committee would be required to serve as the governing body of the council and provide guidance and oversight on behalf of the restoration program. The bill would require the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Water Resources to implement specified activities relating to the restoration of the Salton Sea. The bill would require the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Water Resources to provide staff services that the council requires to carry out its activities and would require the directors of these departments to enter into interagency agreements with other state agencies to provide staff services.