2005 California Fish and Game Code Sections 2930-2933 CHAPTER 13. SALTON SEA RESTORATION ACT

2930.  This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Salton
Sea Restoration Act.
2931.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State of
California undertake the restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem and
the permanent protection of the wildlife dependent on that ecosystem.
   (b) This restoration shall be based on the preferred alternative
developed as a result of the restoration study and alternative
selection process described in Section 2081.7 and using the funds
made available in accordance with that section to be deposited in the
Salton Sea Restoration Fund and other funds made available by the
Legislature and the federal government.
   (c) The preferred alternative shall provide the maximum feasible
attainment of the following objectives:
   (1) Restoration of long-term stable aquatic and shoreline habitat
for the historic levels and diversity of fish and wildlife that
depend on the Salton Sea.
   (2) Elimination of air quality impacts from the restoration
projects.
   (3) Protection of water quality.
   (d) For the purpose of the restoration plan, the Salton Sea
ecosystem shall include, but is not limited to, the Salton Sea, the
agricultural lands surrounding the Salton Sea, and the tributaries
and drains within the Imperial and Coachella Valleys that deliver
water to the Salton Sea.
2932.  There is hereby established the Salton Sea Restoration Fund
which shall be administered by the director.  Money deposited in the
fund shall be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for
the following purposes:
   (a) Environmental and engineering studies related to the
restoration of the Salton Sea and the protection of fish and wildlife
dependent on the sea.
   (b) Implementation of conservation measures necessary to protect
the fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea, including
adaptive management measurements pursuant to Section 2081.7.  These
conservation measures shall be limited to the Salton Sea and lower
Colorado River ecosystems, including the Colorado River Delta.
   (c) Implementation of the preferred Salton Sea restoration
alternative.
   (d) Administrative, technical, and public outreach costs related
to the development and selection of the preferred Salton Sea
restoration alternative.
2932.2.  Of the funds appropriated pursuant to Section 79565 of the
Water Code, not less than eight million five hundred thousand dollars
($8,500,000) shall be made available for transfer or direct
expenditure for acquisition, grants, or other activities that
directly restore the Salton Sea and its transboundary watersheds,
consistent with Section 2932.
2932.5.  Moneys deposited in the fund created pursuant to Section
2932 shall not be expended for mitigation except for mitigation
undertaken by the State of California.
2933. The Department of Water Resources may contract with water
suppliers to purchase and sell water made available pursuant to
Section 1745.02 of the Water Code to achieve the goals of this
chapter.