Imperial County seeks help from state for Salton Sea emergency

The Imperial County is asking for Governor Newsom’s help as Salton Sea Conditions continue to worsen, affecting the health of county residents.

On October 22, 2019, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Proclamation of Local Emergency for Air Pollution at the Salton Sea, addressing extreme conditions that affect the safety of county residents.

The letter breaks down the steady downhill of the Salton Sea’s conditions, beginning in the 1980’s when the body of water still receiving steady inflows.

However, when the Quantification Settlement Agreement ( QSA ) was signed in 2003, farmers began to use mitigation water, which significantly decreased inflows into the sea by 2015.

Inflows from Mexico have also decreased, resulting in the Salton Sea creating the extreme air pollution Imperial County residents are experiencing.

The harmful dust emitted into the air causes extreme conditions to the environment. Imperial county officials have said conditions are beyond what their personnel and equipment can control.

The County has declared this emergency seeking state government aid, in order to address the air quality that is impacting its residents. The county is requesting multiple studies and equipment in order to better their situation.