KXO RADIO - Ducheny bill omits State promise

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Ducheny bill omits State promise

Todays is : Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Written by George Gale
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
(Ducheny bill going to the Governor, but it may not have IID backing)…..SB 187 was authored by State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny. It provides $47 million that would go towards the restoration of the Salton Sea. The bill has been approved by the legislature, and is now going to the Governor for his signature. The funds would only be seed money for several starting projects. The State’s preferred restoration plan is estimated to cost over $9 billion. When the Ducheny bill goes to the Governor, it may not have the support of the Imperial Irrigation District. The IID Board was told Tuesday one of the amendments to the bill is one the District may not be able to live with. The amendment strikes language on the State’s responsibility for the restoration of the Salton Sea, as stated in the Quantification Settlement Agreement. Responsibility for the restoration was a major concern of the District in the Q S A negotiations. Officials said the bill probably would not have made it through the legislature without the deletion. Director Mike Abatti suggested the District study SB 187 and all of its amendments to determine if the District should back the bill.