Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Salton Sea Feasibility Study Title II: Emergency Action to Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998 - Title I: Salton Sea Feasibility Study - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, by January 1, 2000, to complete all feasibility studies and cost analyses with respect to a feasibility study for the reclamation of the Salton Sea, located in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California, which shall include options for achieving salinity reduction and stabilization, stabilizing surface elevation, restoring fish and wildlife resources, and enhancing recreational use and economic development. Requires a report to specified congressional committees containing proposed options and recommendations. Directs the Secretary to carry out the study under a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, and the Governor of California. Prohibits the inclusion of any option that relies on the importation of any new or additional water from the Colorado River. Preserves all current rights and obligations concerning Colorado River water use. Directs the Secretary to conduct, concurrently with the feasibility study, studies of hydrology, wildlife pathology, and toxicology relating to wildlife resources of the Salton Sea by Federal and non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to establish the Salton Sea Research Management Committee to select and manage such studies. Authorizes appropriations. Renames the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge as the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Title II: Emergency Action to Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River - Authorizes and directs the Secretary to promptly conduct research and construct river reclamation and wetlands projects to improve water quality in the Alamo and New Rivers in Imperial County, California, by treating water in those rivers and irrigation drainage water that flows into those rivers. Directs the Secretary to establish a long-term monitoring program to maximize the effectiveness of any wetlands developed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Salton Sea Reclamation Project Title II: Emergency Action To Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River Sonny Bono Memorial Salton Sea Reclamation Act - Title I: Salton Sea Reclamation Project - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to undertake a project to reclaim the Salton Sea, located in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California. Outlines project requirements, including salinity reduction and stabilization, stabilizing surface elevation, restoring fish and wildlife resources, and enhancing recreational use and economic development. Directs the Secretary to initiate a feasibility study of various options for meeting such requirements and to develop a plan that implements the selected options. Requires an interim report on such study. Prohibits the inclusion of any option that develops or promotes an ongoing reliance on Colorado River water. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the chosen reclamation plan and required construction activities and to complete all necessary environmental compliance and permit requirements. Provides for plan review by such committees and requires the adoption of a resolution either approving or disapproving the recommended plan. Requires initiation of project construction upon approval of the reclamation plan and the availability of appropriations. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent of total construction costs. Prohibits construction unless the Secretary, the Governor of California, and the Salton Sea Authority have entered into a cost-sharing agreement. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds unless there are available from non-Federal sources amounts sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of the costs of the activity. Preserves all current rights and obligations concerning Colorado River water use. Provides for: (1) judicial review of activities undertaken or authorizations made under this Act; and (2) limitation of liability for various water districts with respect to actions undertaken under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for the feasibility study and project construction. Directs the Secretary to conduct, concurrently with the feasibility study, studies of hydrology, wildlife pathology, and toxicology relating to wildlife resources of the Salton Sea by Federal and non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to establish the Salton Sea Research Management Committee to select and manage such studies. Authorizes appropriations. Renames the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge as the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Prohibits Colorado River water from being diverted for Salton Sea restoration, except for certain currently authorized flood flows. Title II: Emergency Action to Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River - Directs the Secretary to promptly conduct research and implement actions, including river reclamation and wetlands development, to create systems to improve water quality in the Alamo and New Rivers in Imperial County, California, by treating water in those rivers and irrigation drainage water that flows into those rivers. Directs the Secretary to establish a long-term monitoring program to maximize the effectiveness of any wetlands developed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Salton Sea Reclamation Project Title II: Emergency Action to Stabilize Salton Sea Salinity Sonny Bono Memorial Salton Sea Reclamation Act - Title I: Salton Sea Reclamation Project - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to undertake a project to reclaim the Salton Sea, located in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California. Outlines project requirements, including salinity reduction and stabilization, stabilizing surface elevation, restoring fish and wildlife resources, and enhancing recreational use and economic development. Directs the Secretary to initiate a feasibility study of various options for meeting such requirements and to develop a plan that implements the selected options. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the chosen reclamation plan and required construction activities and to complete all necessary environmental compliance and permit requirements. Requires the feasibility study to be completed under a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, and the Governor of California. Requires initiation of project construction within 60 days after feasibility study submission, provided that the Secretary, the Governor, and the Authority have adopted a cost-sharing formula. Directs the Secretary to initiate a process to determine a disposal method for water pumped out under the project. Preserves all current rights and obligations concerning Colorado River water use. Limits administrative and judicial review of the project. Authorizes appropriations for the feasibility study and project construction. Directs the Secretary to conduct, concurrently with the feasibility study, studies of hydrology, wildlife pathology, and toxicology relating to wildlife resources of the Salton Sea by Federal and non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to establish the Salton Sea Research Management Committee to select and manage such studies. Authorizes appropriations. Renames the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge as the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Directs the Secretary to conduct research and implement actions, including river reclamation, to treat irrigation drainage water that flows into the Alamo and New Rivers in Imperial County, California. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Emergency Action to Stabilize Salton Sea Salinity - Directs the Secretary to immediately initiate action, including salt expulsion and infusion of other water, to reduce Salton sea salinity levels.