Statewide leaders tour Salton Sea and gain insight to what the future will hold

State Senator Ben Hueso and Assembly member Eduardo Garcia held a leadership tour near The Salton Sea today.

Statewide leaders were given tours of the area and heard first hand from students on some of the issues residents are facing.

Civics students from Brawley Union High School were invited to attend and share thoughts and struggles from their personal experiences.

“Why does it have to take someone to be hospitalized for people to do something? That shouldn’t have to happen. I don’t think it should, it’s unnecessary,” said BUHS Civics student.

The students have been tracking air quality all over the imperial county and use that data to help create better policies for the community.

Bruce Wilcox, who was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to help with cleanup efforts and Salton Sea policy was in attendance to share what the future holds for The Salton Sea.

“If we don’t do anything you can expect to see that extend for a couple of miles, the playa,” said Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy.

Wilcox explained that in 2004 and 2005 most of the exposed playa we see now was underwater. He also addressed why movement on restoration efforts have been slower than expected, but feels the plan in place now get things caught up.

“There was a lot of litigation and things going on that made it a little uncertain as to what to do. Two, it’s a complex problem and we weren’t exactly sure how best to solve it. Three, it was very very expensive,” added Wilcox

With a new program provided by the national resource agency, it will now allow the building of habitats to help preserve wildlife.

“This area will be flooded, where you see those black pipes out there and the berms. That’s all going to be re flooded for shallow bird habitat, parts of the ten year plan include flooded some of these areas and putting shallow bird habitat in these areas,” explained Wilcox.

Were told we can expect to see changes to take effect in about a year or so, and another factor that may come into play is access for renewable energy.