Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
May 25, 2007
1. Top Items
State set to reveal Salton Sea plan; Torres Martinez tribe objects to ideas in its sneak preview - Desert Sun
Sea plan out today - Imperial Valley Press
State set to reveal Salton Sea plan; Torres
Desert Sun – 5/25/07
Erica Solvig, Keith Matheny and Jake Henshaw, staff writers
The state is expected today to unveil its answer to saving the
Though state officials didn't release details Thursday, a key stakeholder did. Officials with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians blasted a plan they said was leaked to them, saying it fails to address unhealthy air pollution that will occur as the sea recedes.
State officials couldn't confirm that the dark, faxed copy of the plan the tribe sent to The Desert Sun was in fact what state Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman plans to release today.
But in its pre-emptive strike, the tribe reiterated concerns the state may allow too much exposed lake bed on its land and make managing the resulting dust the tribe's responsibility.
"If the state of
The unilateral action from the tribe - a well-connected, major landowner along the lake - has some sea advocates worried the unified local support may begin to unravel.
The state's plan will shrink the sea but prevent it from dying up. Left alone, it will dry up, cause major air quality issues for the Coachella and Imperial valleys, eliminate fish and bird habitat and impact the region's economic growth and tourism.
Hints of what the state's plan includes emerged late Thursday:
The plan would cost "significantly more" than the $6.9 billion draft Chrisman released in March, spokesman Sandy Cooney said.
The bulk of the money is needed by 2020, state records show. 
Those who have seen a sneak preview of the plan, including state Sen. Jim Battin, say it includes a much-requested habitat area at the north end of the lake.
The northern recreational lake will remain, but one of its proposed arms will extend farther south, past
State, local and federal officials have worked for years to address growing problems at the sea, roughly the size of the
A water deal signed in 2003 sends less water to local farmers, resulting in less runoff to flow into the sea. Eventually, the sea will begin to recede and already-high salinity levels will rise at what once was a major recreation lake that drew more visitors than
Experts predict this will kill off fish and smaller aquatic life, forcing millions of birds to go elsewhere.
Negotiations continue
Chrisman's office since March has worked to address the concerns of locals, who had a lukewarm reaction to his draft plan.
State law requires Chrisman to submit a proposal to lawmakers for their approval - and ultimately for funding.
Many restoration supporters have traveled to
On Thursday, the tribe sent a call to action to 60 other California Indian tribes seeking their help in getting sea restoration plan concerns addressed.
"We're not going to wait," Loya said. "We need to inform agencies now that the decisions now being made are not being made with the tribe's concerns considered."
Cooney said Chrisman's office "went to great lengths to do as much as we could with (the tribe). How is it they can be critical of a plan that hasn't been released?"
Initial reaction lukewarm
Clashes already existed between locals who would be most impacted by a shrunken
Many elements in the most locally supported plan - set forth by the La Quinta-based Salton Sea Authority - weren't part of Chrisman's draft proposal. But some appear to be in the revised plan.
Lawmakers have said a multi-billion-dollar plan only stands a chance if there's some agreement between those involved.
With the tribe going out on its own to protest Thursday, several advocates raised concerns there may be divisions that ultimately could hinder the project's success.
"My concern is the Salton Sea Authority is made up of five agencies (that have) really supported one another,"
"It's going to be awkward for the authority to wholly support (the state's plan) when one of the members is, let's say, left out."
Added authority director Rick Daniels: "I'm hoping the authority doesn't blow up."
Even if there is discontent among the players, the plan can be tweaked after it's handed to lawmakers.
But several advocates have admitted that selling the plan to state and federal lawmakers is going to be difficult enough without making major changes.
Still, Assemblyman John Benoit says Thursday's release is "not the end of the game. This is a beginning step" of a 75-year process to save the sea.
"I am hopeful it will bring people to the table for further discussion rather than drive them to harden their positions," the Palm Desert Republican said. #
http://www.desertsunonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS0701/705250351/1006/news01
Sea plan out today
By Jonathan Athens, staff writer
California Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman today will publicly unveil and turn over to the California Legislature his final plan to restore and revitalize the long decaying
Stakeholders in
The Salton Sea Authority is one of the major proponents for restoring the sea in such a manner as to economically benefit
And if they don’t get what they want, they are willing to take the fight to state lawmakers who will begin debating the final plan and how to pay for it.
Political players here have complained that Chrisman’s draft plan did not provide features that would economically benefit
Authority Executive Director Rick Daniels said, “Hopefully, the secretary has included the comments and requests that the authority and member agencies have been asking for.”
County District 4 Supervisor Gary Wyatt reiterated what stakeholders here have said.
“Hopefully, they (concerns) will be adequately addressed … If not, we’ve given ample notice of how we are feeling and we will act according to what we’ve said.”
Chrisman spokesman Sandy Cooney said, “We know everybody is not going to be happy” with the final plan.
Although Cooney would not release any details about the plan prior to a 2 p.m. press conference in
The $6 billion price tag that came with the draft plan will be “significantly” higher given the scope of new designs incorporated into the final plan, Cooney said.
He declined to release the revised estimated cost to fix the sea.
The 75-year plan has been one of the more hotly contested and long drawn out debates here and in
http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2007/05/25/news/news03.txt
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