As California water agencies convene in Washington, D.C., next week for an annual conference, a delegation from the Salton Sea Authority will take its message directly to the Department of the Interior.
“The message is not only to request further support of the Salton Sea. More important is funding for some of the projects in the queue, like Red Hill Bay,” said Antonio Ortega, Imperial Irrigation District government affairs specialist.
The Red Hill Bay project proposes to flood the Red Hill Bay area with just enough water to keep playa from becoming airborne while becoming a habitat for migratory birds.
Salton Sea Authority Executive Director Roger Shintaku stressed the need for a holistic approach to Salton Sea restoration.
“We need people to work with us as partners, not just rich uncles,” he said.
Shintaku said he wishes to see sustainable solutions, projects that do more than just address environmental concerns.
“You can’t just talk about an environmental solution. How do you maintain what you create? We’re trying to look at Salton Sea restoration as a whole ecological community including humans,” he said.
Restoring the whole Salton Sea, Shintaku said, requires developing local revenue streams that will not just support environmental efforts, but will make the area a more appealing place to live.
“If you want humans living out here, how do you do that?” he said, confirming he is talking about good jobs, quality schools and housing.
The delegation’s trip to Washington, D.C., comes some two months after Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar toured the Salton Sea and pledged the Obama administration’s support for Salton Sea restoration.
The visit was like a shot of adrenaline for local agencies, and many officials expressed optimism that something about the Salton Sea may finally be done.
Although Salazar is scheduled to resign in March, Department of the Interior officials confirmed that Assistant Secretary Anne Castle will lead the department’s efforts to improve conditions at the sea.
The Salton Sea Authority’s delegation is scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Castle.
Staff Writer Antoine Abou-Diwan can be reached at 760-337-3454 or aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com
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