Salton Sea restoration.

Existing law establishes, until January 1, 2013, the Salton Sea Restoration Council as a state agency in the Natural Resources Agency to oversee the restoration of the Salton Sea. This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation and coordination with the Salton Sea Authority, as defined, to lead Salton Sea restoration efforts. This bill would require the secretary, in consultation and coordination with the authority, to form a technical advisory group, as prescribed, to provide guidance about evaluating, developing, or proposing future restoration or economic development activities. This bill would also require the secretary to seek input from the authority with regard to specified components of restoration of the Salton Sea. By imposing duties on a local joint powers authority, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would authorize the authority to lead a restoration funding and feasibility review, as prescribed. If the authority undertakes the study, this bill would require the Department of Fish and Game to enter into a funding agreement with the authority for the purposes of this study. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.