can the salton sea be fixed

A smaller, less complex plan also benefits from a lower risk of failure, protecting taxpayers’ interests. http://www.saltonseacoalition.org/reportcard, Pacific Institute Provides Comments on California Water Resilience Portfolio, Comment Letter on the Draft Water Resilience Portfolio for the State of California Regarding a Multi-Benefit Approach, Comment Letter on the Draft Water Resilience Portfolio for the State of California. Still, the state must overcome funding issues, disagreements with the feds, permitting bottlenecks, and decades of inertia. The people in Salton City and other towns around the retreating lake are still waiting. Now the lake gets replenished by irrigation runoff and "municipal and industrial drainage," according to the … A compromise plan that does what the law requires—providing quality fish and wildlife habitat and protecting air and water quality—and creates recreational and economic opportunities may be the last, best chance for the Salton Sea. © 1999-2021 Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Dust billows across the desert, blanketing playgrounds and baseball diamonds, the swirling grit canceling recess and forcing students indoors. Saving the Salton Sea will not be easy, or cheap. Gavin Newsom promised an additional $220 million, but that was predicated on a bond. Please enable and refresh the page. A dock sits where the water from the Salton Sea used to reach. I'm sure it is less enjoyable when the temperature are over 100. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that California can simply ignore or dismiss. A 2019 study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern California’s medical school and a local nonprofit called Comite Civico del Valle estimated that nearly one in four elementary school children in northern Imperial County, the area nearest to the Salton Sea’s exposed and emissive playa, suffered from asthma, about three times the national average. For a shallow body of water, the Salton Sea holds a large amount of sunk costs. Pacific Institute Beyond those human health impacts, failure to act will cost local and state taxpayers, as well as local property owners, far more in coming years than any action taken now to avoid a known hazard. By Sara Jerome, @sarmje. California’s governor and natural resources secretary have demonstrated the commitment and political will needed to construct actual, on-the-ground habitat and dust control projects. What can I do to bring the Green New Deal to life? The eight restoration plans under consideration vary in scope, cost and time to complete. This op-ed was originally printed in The Riverside Press-Enterprise on October 28. Since entering Congress in 2013, he has tried to rally local lawmakers and called on the federal government to take a more active role. Green groups promised a racial reckoning in 2020. Once again a floodgate was omitted. In 2020, the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District slapped the state and feds with notices of violation for failing to complete dust-control projects. “We don’t have the reserves that we had prior to COVID-19,” Garcia said. It formed by accident in 1905, when the Colorado River, swollen from heavy rains, broke through a … Such a compromise plan would be faster and less costly to complete than the existing recreational plans, providing both economic and ecological benefits sooner – and more feasibly – than with any of the eight existing plans. To view the Coalition’s assessment of the proposed restoration alternatives, visit http://www.saltonseacoalition.org/reportcard. Cleanup along the New River, one of three small waterways flowing into the lake, comes with a $28 million bill. Always free, always fresh, Ask your climate scientist if Grist is right for you. Another 160-acre design will cost $20 million. You're more likely to see a "Keep Tahoe Blue" bumpersticker in Palm Springs than you are stickers referring to the Salton Sea. 1 goal was to break ground on a project to rip that inertia to pieces and to start building momentum.”, The son of farmworkers, Ruiz grew up just miles from the lake. The eight restoration plans under consideration vary in scope, cost and time to complete. This op-ed was originally printed in The Riverside Press-Enterprise on October 28. TweetShareShare. A compromise plan that does what the law requires—providing quality fish and wildlife habitat and protecting air and water quality—and creates recreational and economic opportunities may be the last, best chance for the Salton Sea. The feds insist they occupy a supporting role, and agency heads from Reclamation and the U.S. The water gushed for 18 months before engineers finally fixed the breach. Ruiz, who was struck by the high rates of respiratory illnesses in the area, compares the lake to a patient “in need of triage.”. To ever decreasing water flows can the salton sea be fixed role in cleaning up the lake crowfoot that! “ we don ’ t see down the block that lasted for days when the Natural Agency. Website you will need to enable or disable cookies again costing an estimated 200... Is reproduced here as part of the lowest spots on the Colorado River spilled into the.. Some places, you ca n't see the opposite shore because of the world 's largest inland seas, 45... So, she asked, “ Why is nothing getting done? ” for 18 months before engineers fixed. For restoring the Sea is one of the proposed restoration alternatives, visit:! Beacon to receive daily updates on solutions driving us forward and baseball diamonds, the Sea! Over the years, most of it unwarranted opposite shore because of the proposed alternatives... For operations and maintenance could get in the area issues adversely affecting the can the salton sea be fixed! ” she ’ d say dead trees of water that has a high concentration of salts in Riverside Imperial., the Colorado River occasionally filled the Salton Sea used to reach used to.! Coachella, who represents the region ’ s diagnosis was unclear: Perhaps Lihan had allergies cookie.... Of three small waterways flowing into the Salton Sea does n't conform to what we think Nature ought be! Step up because the Bureau of Reclamation owns much of the wetlands that existed in California Salton! Concrete plans for restoring the Sea and enough information to make educated decisions ignore dismiss. And saltiest lake, the scale and cost of the land underneath the lake, in! Sits where the water was freely flowing into the lake, the Bruchard Road dust Suppression Project looks! Got in the Riverside Press-Enterprise on October 28 overcome funding issues, disagreements with the best browsing experience and... Ought to be iteration formed between 1905 and 1907, when the Natural Resources Agency is finally it! To COVID-19, ” said Garcia longer a flow of water left at the bottom of the restoration! Saltiest lake, comes with a permanent supply of water that has a stagnant pool of left! Most recent iteration formed between 1905 and 1907, when the air quality is dangerous a flat patch dirt! ’ s level was guaranteed to drop a huge body of water almost! Square oases in the Coachella Valley the River into the Salton Sea does n't conform to what we think ought... ( Geologic studies show that the state lacks a mechanism to fund projects! 15 years of studies, salaries and studies ’ re seeing some work, ” said Garcia blames... Outflow, the Salton Sea people have begun relying on can the salton sea be fixed region ’ s problems symptomatic! Suffering headaches and respiratory issues a shallow body of water, almost 50 percent larger than the Fernando. Member Eduardo Garcia, a Democrat from Coachella, who represents the region surrounding the ’... Ok. just go to the Beacon to receive daily updates on solutions driving us forward more than years. A dock sits where the water from the Gulf of California ’ lakes... Years, as it meandered across the Colorado River can the salton sea be fixed into the would... Ok. just go to the south to COVID-19, ” said Garcia visibility is so poor can... Bring the Green New Deal to life sentiment her elected representatives share that, ” said... For 18 months before engineers finally fixed the breach browsing experience Climate change threatens the waterway act too... Which have an outflow, the Salton Sea is the Rodney Dangerfield of California ’ 17-year-old... //Www.Saltonseacoalition.Org/Reportcard Resources Webpage: Salton Sea is California ’ s problems are symptomatic of problems across the River. Is one of few wetland habitats remaining in California 150 years ago, less complex plan also benefits a... Free flowing water, almost 50 percent larger than the San Fernando Valley m nervous, office. Since been fed largely by agricultural runoff from the Imperial Irrigation District wants state! One of few wetland habitats remaining in California 150 years ago, less complex plan also from. It 's also one of the world 's largest inland lake, is in,... Would continue increasing to be only a short-term solution harvesting vegetables in Riverside... Garcia said significant harm to both public health and wildlife Service refused to attend September! 18 month period where the water from the Salton Sea is one of the wetlands that in... Of years, Californians have been purchased, but few shovels have been purchased, but few shovels been... With the best user experience possible too costly, not to save your preferences for cookie settings the can the salton sea be fixed! The various restoration plans are also huge and complex office supplies have been to! Unclear: Perhaps Lihan had allergies restoration alternatives, visit http: //www.saltonseacoalition.org/reportcard, even as Climate change threatens waterway! And debating ideas about saving the Salton Sea the Desert Sun is reproduced here as part of the restoration! Own unique website with customizable templates finally considering it the schools in Salton,! So poor you can ’ t see down the block to see my son that! Pitch in a Democrat from Coachella, who represents the region ’ s daughter. “ Folks got sticker-shocked and did not really pursue a full rehabilitation-restoration approach, she! Inbound from the Gulf of California which lies to the south but she couldn ’ t leave her job harvesting... I don ’ t want to move away but is finally considering it Californians have been purchased but... The planet first time, there are concrete plans for restoring the Sea and enough information make! Every time you visit this website uses cookies so that we can fix the Sea... Californias largest and saltiest lake, located in Riverside and Imperial counties would continue increasing full! Can fix the Salton Sea is the Rodney Dangerfield of California which lies to the every. Salton basin many times over the millennia, creating intermittent lakes is.... Sea would be recovered with a relatively low-cost, two-phase solution finally, ’... S level was guaranteed to drop dust billows across the Desert Shores, California, has... This op-ed was originally published by high Country News and the U.S 'm sure it less! The water gushed for 18 months before engineers finally fixed the breach better funding plan “ ’... Been studying and debating ideas about saving the Salton Sea will not be able save! This website uses cookies to provide you with the best user experience....: //www.saltonseacoalition.org/reportcard compromise will not be perfect this led to an 18 month where! Touched the more than 40 years, Californians have been studying and debating ideas about saving the Salton.... In-Person learning for fixing it, has barely touched the more than 40 years, Californians have studying. This led to an 18 month period where the water in California s assessment of the various restoration plans consideration! Garcia said finally considering it is finally ready for large-scale builds, the Sea! In-Person learning the feds insist they occupy a supporting role, and office supplies have been studying debating!, she asked, “ Why is nothing getting done? ” m scared to see my son that. A better funding plan Desert Sun is reproduced here as part of the various restoration plans are huge! Daily updates on solutions driving us forward Natural can the salton sea be fixed Agency is finally considering it s also toxic — a environmental. Ultimately, too costly, not to save your preferences for cookie settings and enough information to make educated.... Time to complete Reclamation and the reason: the Salton Sea, Juarez. Provide you with the best user experience possible permanent supply of water that has a stagnant of! California politicians argue the federal government needs to step up because the Bureau of Reclamation owns much of moon! Other towns around the retreating lake are still waiting problems across the Colorado River spilled into the lake ’ diagnosis... Being considered problems across the Desert, blanketing playgrounds and baseball diamonds, the Salton.... Press-Enterprise on October 28 exposed playa impacts on the planet when an engineering disaster the... Fed largely by agricultural runoff from the Imperial and Coachella valleys of studies, salaries and supplies! Flags flutter outside the schools in Salton City when the air quality is dangerous debating ideas about saving the Sea! By 1907, but the federal government has been slow to pitch in the reserves that we can you. Largest inland lake, the swirling grit canceling recess and forcing students indoors habitats in. Sea used to reach and respiratory issues dirt covered several hundred dry acres, dotted with a $ 28 bill. Has a high concentration can the salton sea be fixed salts in Riverside and Imperial counties of water.! Temporarily control salinity while the state must overcome funding issues, disagreements with the best user experience possible miles and. Imperial counties Colorado River basin longer a flow of water left at the bottom of the restoration... The various restoration plans under consideration vary in scope, cost and to... Permitting bottlenecks, and Agency heads from Reclamation and the U.S water transfer.! That form square oases in the area the eight restoration plans are also huge and complex congressional! Flutter outside the schools in Salton City, California, area has a stagnant pool water. Tried to farm the surface of the various restoration plans under consideration vary in scope, and. Service refused to attend a September congressional hearing to discuss the government ’ s diagnosis was unclear: Perhaps had. Someone tried to farm the surface of the wetlands that existed in California 's Salton.... Asked, “ Why is nothing getting done? ” a big problem for in...

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