Public comment open for Imperial County’s first Lithium Valley health study

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - Imperial County residents are being called on to shape the future of "Lithium Valley" as officials seek public input on a first-of-its-kind health study.

Imperial County and researchers from San Diego State University (SDSU) have officially released the draft Lithium Valley Health Impact Assessment (HIA).

The multi-year study looks at how direct lithium extraction (DLE) and related development could impact local living conditions, including air quality, water supplies, traffic, jobs, and healthcare access.

Because large-scale DLE is an emerging technology, researchers noted a lack of existing evidence regarding its long-term health impacts.

To address this, the project team evaluated similar projects alongside current baseline conditions in Imperial County to craft a series of long-term recommendations.

According to health officials, these recommendations lean heavily on maintaining transparent information access, building stronger local partnerships, and establishing continuous oversight as local industrial projects develop.

"Another thing that it looks at is ongoing assessment," said Andrea Bowers, Deputy Director of Community Health. "This assessment can't be a one and done, so we have to continue to monitor the additional information that we need and then learn how we can incorporate that information into future planning."

Because the extraction process is so new, county leaders emphasize that community feedback is vital to finalizing an accurate assessment.

"Community input can offer perspective that the data and the research alone doesn't show," Bowers said. "When we, as public servants, show up to make decisions, we're making those decisions on behalf of the entire community. So it's so important that we hear the concerns, we hear the experience."

Residents have until November 5, 2026, to review the materials and submit their feedback through an online portal. Comments are being accepted in both English and Spanish.

The full draft report, easy-to-read summary materials, and the online feedback survey are accessible directly through the Imperial County website.