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-Editorial
On August 12, 2024, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors approved a conservation agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), which aims to conserve up to 300,000 acre-feet of water annually until 2026. This measure, part of the 2024-2026 System Conservation Implementation Agreement (SCIA), seeks to reduce water consumption and leave as much as 700,000 acre-feet in Lake Mead, a critical reservoir for the Colorado River Basin. The IID’s efforts come with substantial federal funding, which will support conservation initiatives like the IID’s On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program, Deficit Irrigation Program, and Farm Unit Fallowing Program.
While this historic agreement is widely viewed as essential to address water scarcity in the region, it has sparked concerns among Imperial Valley officials, who fear potential economic, environmental, and health repercussions. Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman Luis Plancarte expressed dismay over the IID’s decision-making process, which they feel excluded critical voices from the community and neglected important factors surrounding public health and economic stability.
In a letter to IID Chairman Alex Cardenas, Plancarte outlined the Board of Supervisors’ concerns, emphasizing that the IID bypassed formal consultation with local authorities, a step that could have mitigated unforeseen impacts. “As the two most prominent governing bodies serving the residents, taxpayers, and ratepayers of the Imperial Valley, we must collaborate on decisions that have far-reaching impacts on our community,” wrote Plancarte. He further highlighted the interconnected nature of water management and its broad impacts on agricultural productivity, economic health, and the environment.
In 2013, IID, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, and the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signaling a commitment to jointly address the environmental challenges posed by decreasing water inflows into the Salton Sea. The MOU emphasized the need to secure funding and government support to stabilize and restore the Salton Sea, a key natural resource and economic contributor to the Imperial Valley. According to Plancarte, the IID’s recent decision to enter the SCIA without consulting local governing bodies contradicts the spirit of this MOU and sets a concerning precedent.
The SCIA agreement is set to unlock nearly $250 million in federal funding for Salton Sea restoration efforts, a major win for advocates of environmental health. However, county officials believe these funds are only part of the solution. “We acknowledge and appreciate this significant step forward, but believe that such monumental decisions should involve all stakeholders from the outset,” Plancarte asserted. He further noted that any water reductions could trigger cascading effects on agriculture, local employment, and environmental quality.
Imperial County Public Health Department Director Janette Angulo also raised concerns in a statement addressed to the IID. Angulo’s letter focused on the potential public health impacts tied to reduced water inflows to the Salton Sea, especially in light of exposed playa—a dried lakebed surface that releases particulate matter into the air. Airborne dust, which includes fine particles such as PM10 and PM2.5, poses a significant health risk to nearby communities. These particles can exacerbate respiratory conditions, worsen asthma, and even increase the risk of lung infections and cancer, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with preexisting health conditions.
Angulo stressed the need for toxicological assessments of exposed soils and sediments in areas surrounding the Salton Sea, which could help officials determine any potential hazards and plan for mitigative actions. She recommended that the IID integrate public health considerations into their water management agreements and work closely with local agencies, including the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, to establish monitoring systems and assess potential health risks.
The Public Health Department’s letter called for collaboration on air quality monitoring, ongoing health impact assessments, and joint mitigation strategies. “The impacts of reduced water usage are not confined to environmental concerns alone,” Angulo wrote, “Our workforce is heavily reliant on agriculture, which is intrinsically tied to water availability… Additionally, environmental changes can have health implications for our residents, including air quality issues stemming from a shrinking Salton Sea.”
Plancarte expressed the county’s commitment to working with IID to develop job programs, improve infrastructure, and leverage federal funding for local benefit. He urged the IID to uphold the collaborative spirit of the 2013 MOU and called for joint action on projects that will shape the future of Imperial Valley. “By pooling our resources and expertise,” he noted, “we can address infrastructure needs, create job programs, and implement initiatives that will benefit the entire Imperial Valley.”
In response, Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board Chairman Alex Cardenas and General Manager Jaime Asbury reaffirmed IID’s commitment to the Salton Sea, highlighting a historic $250 million investment for habitat creation and dust mitigation in a letter sent to Chairman Plancarte and Imperial County CEO Miguel Figueroa. They also emphasized their shared concern for the agricultural economy, referencing initiatives like the On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program designed to protect the region’s water supply while providing economic relief during challenging market conditions. The IID leadership expressed eagerness to enhance collaboration with the county in future endeavors.
