Imperial County reviews environmental review rules

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - Imperial County leaders are reviewing updates to the county's environmental review rules as some residents question how the changes could impact the proposed data center project near Imperial.

The proposed updates focus on the county's rules under the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA. The changes are meant to align the county's procedures with state requirements, including how environmental decisions can be challenged.

County officials say the local CEQA rules were first adopted in 1979 and were last updated in 2017.

During Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, some residents raised concerns about changing the appeal process while questions surrounding the data center project remain.

Board Chairwoman Martha Cárdenas-Singh said the updates would not change past decisions.

"We must state clearly for the record that these rule changes do not apply retroactively to protect or alter any board approvals made prior to today," Cárdenas-Singh said. "This is about alignment with state law moving forward, not shielding past actions."

The Board of Supervisors continued the discussion and is expected to revisit the item at its July 28th meeting.