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Salton Sea Restoration Mandate May Find Traction in 2008

State-mandated legislation to restore the Imperial County's Salton Sea may move forward early next year. The bill hit a snag in committee at the end of the legislative session. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce

Salton Sea Restoration Mandate May Find Traction in 2008

State-mandated legislation to restore the Imperial County's Salton Sea may move forward early next year. The bill hit a snag in committee at the end of the legislative session. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The state's largest lake is suffering from rising levels of salt, fish die-offs and other problems. Senator Denise Ducheny's legislation would restore the Salton Sea, ease air quality problems and preserve wildlife habitat over 75 years. Some legislators questioned the nearly $9 billion cost of the project.

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Ducheny says she hopes to address those concerns and move the bill forward in January.

Ducheny : We want to try and get all our ducks in line and make sure that any concerns people have along those lines are satisfied.

Scientists say rising salinity levels from agriculture water runoff have caused the sea's health to decline.

Ducheny says wildlife habitat could be destroyed. She says an exposed dry lake bed could also cause dust problems throughout the Imperial Valley and into San Diego.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.