Imperial County Board of Supervisors hosts workshop to find solutions for Salton Sea

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors held a workshop to talk about the receding water levels of the the Salton Sea. I spoke with county officials who hope the state can implement some of these proposals, and take action before it’s too late.

“I think it’s vitally important for the future life of the Salton Sea. I’ve been waiting on this to happen for a few years. And it gives us an opportunity to look at projects that would totally and absolutely restore the Salton Sea. We have this ten year plan that’s available, that’s been authorized by everybody but I don’t think it fits the bill,” said Michael Kelley, Supervisor of District 3.

One of the solutions discussed was importing water from the Sea of Cortez. Andy Horne, Deputy County Executive Officer said, “one of the things that keeps coming back, as a potential solution because of the amount of water going into the sea being reduced. Is making up that reduction of inflow with some other source.”

A local agency who proposed his solution believes the workshop allows everyone to be on the same page.
Tom Debose, President of Debose Design group said, “getting input and listening to those who are affected by this like we are and our company here in El Centro. As well as letting them hear us and our approach so that comments as they go forward over the years, they won’t necessarily be starting from scratch uninformed. They’ll be apart of the process.”

The next step is for the state to either reject or use some of the ideas proposed at the workshop.