Assemblymember receives funding for 10-Year Salton Sea Management Plan
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia received full funding on Friday for the 10-Year Salton Sea Management Plan after a meeting with Governor Brown and the Salton Sea Authority.
“Following yesterday’s productive meeting between Governor Brown and representatives from our local Salton Sea Authority, we were successful in securing significant funding allocation increases in both of the legislature’s park bond proposals; AB 18 (E. Garcia) and SB 5 (de Leon),” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
“I am very pleased at the results of negotiations with Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon. Now, both of our park bond proposals include $280 million to fully fund the 10-Year Salton Sea Management Plan.”
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia organized a meeting between Governor Brown and members of the Salton Sea Authority to increase support for mitigation efforts on Thursday.
“I was extremely pleased to have the opportunity to talk to the Governor and stress the importance of properly funding Salton Sea restoration efforts, an issue that is critical to the human and environmental health of our community. On behalf of our county and its residents, we appreciate the Governor’s attention to the matter and willingness to take a stand on this important issue,” stated Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Michael Kelley.
The coalition visited the State Capitol on Thursday and presented a collective agenda of concerns regarding the ten-year Salton Sea Management Plan, renewable energy prospects and extended an invitation for Brown to travel down to survey the sea firsthand.
This year, Assemblymember Garcia and Senator Hueso (D- Chula Vista) introduced critical pieces of legislation to establish both funding mechanisms and strategy for Salton Sea mitigation efforts:
-AB 18, California Clean Water, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018
-SB 615, Salton Sea Restoration Plan
-SB 701, the Salton Sea Obligations Act of 2018
-SB 5, California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018
“Despite the unfortunate news regarding the Salton Sea Obligations Act of 2018, we can rejoice in our triumphant efforts to incorporate full funding for the 10-Year Salton Sea Management Plan in both the Senate and Assembly park bond versions. This $280 million dollar allocation will allow our state to move forward and implement mitigation projects necessary for the health and economic prosperity not only for our communities immediately surrounding the sea, but the entire state,” said Assemblymember Garcia.
