SB 615: Salton Sea restoration.

The Salton Sea Restoration Act requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation and coordination with the Salton Sea Authority, to lead Salton Sea restoration efforts. The act, to the extent that funding is appropriated to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Salton Sea restoration activities, authorizes the Department of Water Resources, in coordination and under agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to undertake certain restoration efforts.

This bill would specify that any barrier in the Salton Sea within or below a certain elevation would not be considered a dam and would provide that the construction of facilities to separate fresh water from highly saline water for the purposes of implementing restoration activities pursuant to the act shall not be subject to review, approval, inspection, or fees associated with certain laws relating to dams and reservoirs. The bill would state various legislative findings and declarations relating to the Salton Sea, would name the states comprehensive management plan for the Salton Sea the John J. Benoit Salton Sea Restoration Plan, and would recognize the State Water Resources Control Boards role in the restoration of the Salton Sea, as specified.