Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 5.djvu/620

 112 STAT. 3378 PUBLIC LAW 105-372—NOV. 12, 1998 and cost analyses for the options set forth in subsection (b)(2)(A) necessary for Congress to fully evaluate such options, (b) FEASIBILITY STUDY. — (1) IN GENERAL. — (A) The Secretary shall complete all studies, including, but not limited to environmental and other reviews, of the feasibility and benefit-cost of various options that permit the continued use of the Salton Sea as a reservoir for irrigation drainage and: (i) reduce and stabilize the overall salinity of the Salton Sea; (ii) stabilize the surface elevation of the Salton Sea; (iii) reclaim, in the long term, healthy fish and wildlife resources and their habitats; and (iv) enhance the potential for recreational uses and economic development of the Salton Sea. Deadline. (B) Based solely on whatever information is available at the time of submission of the report, the Secretary shall: (i) identify any options he deems economically feasible and cost effective; (ii) identify any additional information necessary to develop construction specifications; and (iii) submit any recommendations, along with the results of the study to the Committees no later than January 1, 2000. (C)(i) The Secretary shall carry out the feasibility study in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, and the Governor of California. (ii) The memorandum of understanding shall, at a minimum, establish criteria for evaluation and selection of options under subparagraph (2)(A), including criteria for determining benefit and the magnitude and practicability of costs of construction, operation, and maintenance of each option evaluated. (2) OPTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED. —Options considered in the feasibility study— (A) shall consist of, but need not be limited to— (i) use of impoundments to segregate a portion of the waters of the Salton Sea in one or more evaporation ponds located in the Salton Sea basin; (ii) pumping water out of the Salton Sea; (iii) augmented flows of water into the Salton Sea; (iv) a combination of the options referred to in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii); and (v) any other economically feasible remediation option the Secretary considers appropriate and for which feasibility analyses and cost estimates can be completed by January 1, 2000; (B) shall be limited to proven technologies; and (C) shall not include any option that— (i) relies on the importation of any new or additional water from the Colorado River; or (ii) is inconsistent with the provisions of subsection (c). (3) ASSUMPTIONS.—In evaluating options, the Secretary shall apply assumptions regarding water inflows into the Salton Sea Basin that encourage water conservation, account for transfers of water out of the Salton Sea Basin, and are based

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