[Water_news] 3. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATERSHEDS - 4/232/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

April 23, 2008

 

3. Watersheds -

 

 

Imperial Irrigation District gives $25K to sea

Imperial Valley Press – 4/23/08

By Brianna Lusk, staff writer

Being a part of the conversation of what happens to the Salton Sea is worth another $25,000 to the Imperial Irrigation District board.

The board voted 3-2 Tuesday to give additional money to the Salton Sea Authority, an agency some say is failing.

Directors Mike Abatti and John Pierre Menvielle voted against the money that is adding to the $75,000 already given to the SSA this year by IID.

“I don’t think it’s responsible to continue funding something without a position (on the sea),” Abatti said.

The IID board has not taken a position on the restoration plans for the Salton Sea and is awaiting the environmental impact report.

But a majority of the board including Director James Hanks, who voted to give more money to the SSA, said the IID needs to take a stand.

“There are huge questions about air mitigation and who’s responsible for that,” Hanks said. “It’s time to give clear direction to this board. If we don’t have a voice on the Salton Sea Authority, what voice would we have?”

The SSA has cut costs and restructured, downsizing from a full-time organization with a director to two part-time staff and less than $100 in the budget left by the end of the month.

But agencies including the Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial County, Riverside County and the Torres Martinez Cahuilla Desert Indians have chipped in additional money to get the organization through the end of the year.

The Torrez Martinez money was given in the form of an Indian gaming grant.

IID Director Stella Mendoza said staying active in the SSA is important in making sure the IID’s interests in the Salton Sea are heard.

Senate Bill 1256, proposed by state Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny, D-Chula Vista, would create a Salton Sea Council, giving primary control to state agencies and less control to local stakeholders, Mendoza said.

“If we do not provide influence on what happens, we’re not being responsible,” Mendoza said.

Al Kalin, a Westmorland farmer, said he didn’t see a reason for the board to continue funding to keep the Salton Sea Authority alive.

“What more can they accomplish?” Kalin questioned.

Brawley farmers Mike Morgan and Rod Foster also spoke against the additional funds.

“The $25,000 extra that you’re giving to the Salton Sea Authority belongs to the people of Imperial County; not the IID. We fund the IID,” Foster said.

The debate over who will be responsible for air mitigation of the Salton Sea has been an issue of contention since the Quantification Settlement Agreement was signed in 2003.

Foster said the IID needs to get a clear answer from the state on its responsibility at the sea before continuing to fund the SSA.

IID Legal Counsel Jeff Garber said a workshop would be scheduled to address the mitigation issues.

“We need the state to make a declaration of what their responsibility is,” Hanks said.#

http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2008/04/23/local_news/news04.txt