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-Editorial
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) moved forward with the Mitigation at the Managed Marsh Complex Phase III Project, an extensive environmental initiative aimed at constructing approximately 450 acres of various habitats on previously fallowed agricultural land. The project is a requirement of the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) Water Conservation and Transfer Project’s Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) and is also part of an Order for Consent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The project area, located between Calipatria and Niland west of Highway 111, encompasses 450 acres of previously fallowed land. The development will include 130 acres of emergent wetland habitat ponds, 240 acres of riparian habitat fields, and 60 acres of native tree habitat fields, all arranged in irrigated furrows. Additionally, the project will incorporate 20 acres of uninhabited terrain and parking areas.
The environmental impacts of the project were evaluated in an Addendum to the Final EIR/EIS for the Water Conservation and Transfer Project, dated August 2024. This Addendum, prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), did not identify any new significant environmental impacts or additional mitigation measures beyond those already addressed in the original EIR/EIS.
As the lead agency under CEQA, IID must comply with all CEQA requirements, including making specific findings about the project’s environmental impacts. The IID Board is expected to approve a resolution adopting these findings and authorize staff to file a Notice of Determination with the Imperial County Clerk.
The Managed Marsh Complex Phase III Project will feature a diverse range of vegetation, including cattail, bulrush, saltgrass in the emergent wetland areas, cottonwood and willow trees in the riparian zones, and honey and screwbean mesquite trees in the native tree habitat. The project is also designed to support target wildlife species such as the California black rail and the Yuma Ridgeway rail.
The estimated cost associated with filing the Notice of Determination is $62, and IID staff has recommended the Board approve the resolution to move the project forward.
The project not only fulfills environmental obligations under the QSA but also contributes to the conservation of critical habitats in the region, ensuring that IID’s ongoing operations and maintenance activities align with environmental sustainability goals.
Budget Update
IID’s Chief Financial Officer, Belen Valenzuela, provided an update on the district’s budget and strategic planning efforts. The focus will be on the third quarter of 2024, during which the Board was updated on the district’s asset management plan, ongoing budget adjustments, and strategic initiatives.
IID’s financial department, responsible for managing a budget exceeding $1.1 billion, has continued to report on year-to-date spending, budget variances, and quarterly financial updates to both the General Manager and the Board. The department is also in the process of finalizing the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal years, which includes multi-year revenue forecasts for water and power, as well as detailed operations and capital project plans.
A key component of the budget process is the Board’s approval of the biennial budget, which is scheduled for November 5, 2024. This budget will incorporate all finalized resource budgets, including those for staffing, vehicles, minor equipment, and other operational expenses.
Additionally, the Board will receive updates on cost of service studies for water and power, which are conducted in even-numbered years. In 2024, the IID is in the process of completing these studies, which will help inform future rate decisions.
As part of IID’s strategic planning, the Board had earlier adopted a strategic plan for 2024-2025 in June. This plan includes the district-wide infrastructure assessment program, which aims to improve asset data organization and establish standards for infrastructure replacement.
The upcoming Board meeting will provide a comprehensive overview of these critical operational, financial, and strategic efforts, ensuring that IID continues to meet its obligations while planning effectively for the future.
In other news, the IID board reviewed the latest monitoring report on Board Policy BL-9: Delegation to the General Manager concerning Procurement. This report, presented by the General Services Manager, assesses whether the district complies with the policy governing the delegation of procurement responsibilities to the General Manager. The Board had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions, provide feedback, and discuss the findings and recommendations made by the General Manager and General Services Manager.
The recommendation from IID’s management is that the Board find the district to be substantially in compliance with Board Policy BL-9. Alternatively, the Board could disagree with the staff’s finding and either determine that the district is partially in compliance or that it is making progress toward full compliance.
