The federal government has disclosed it will spend $250 million over four years on environmental cleanup and restoration work, around a drying Southern California lake that is fed by the depleted Colorado River.
The Southern California lake was formed in 1905 when the river overflowed, creating a resort destination that slowly morphed into an environmental disaster as water levels decreased, exposing lives of residents living around to danger and reducing wildlife habitat.
According to Wade Crowfoot, California’s natural resources secretary, government’s action of restoring back the Colorado river was one of the actions they’ve waited for, in a very long period of time.
“Finally, we are all in agreement that we cannot leave the Salton Sea on the cutting room floor, we cannot take these conservation actions and these extraordinary measures at the expense of these residents.”
Wade Crowfoot
JB Hamby, one of the board members of the water entity, in a statement disclosed that, the collaboration happening at the Salton Sea among water agencies, federal state and tribal governments is a blueprint for effective cooperation that the Colorado River Basin sorely needs.
According to the federal government, the deal was announced on Monday and needs approval from the Imperial Irrigation District, the largest user of Colorado River water. The water entity’s board will take it up on Tuesday, it stated.
“The $250 million will come out of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, which set aside $4 billion to stave off the worst effects of drought across the U.S. West.
“Most of the money is contingent on the Imperial Irrigation District and Coachella Valley Water District making good on their commitments to reduce their own use of river water. Both submitted proposals to cut back their usage for payment as part of a new federal program.”
Federal government
The Need For Restoring Southern California Lake
The Federal government has revealed that, the quarter-billion dollars is aimed at speeding up existing state projects designed to lower the negative environmental impact of the drying lake. The state has committed nearly $583 million to projects at the sea, including dust suppression and habitat restoration.
“One project underway aim to create wetlands and ponds that will limit dust from blowing into the air while creating safe spaces for fish and birds,” federal government stated.
Federal government further stated that, the U.S. Interior Department and the seven states that rely on the river; California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming agreed on this deal to prevent the worst impacts of the ongoing drought and historic overuse of the river.
Mr. Frank Ruiz, Salton Sea program director for Audubon California, also indicated that, the initiative to be carried out by government is a very good deal but suggests $250 million is not enough to mitigate all of the damage already done at the sea.
“This is a great step but I think we need a lot more. We need to continue discussing water sustainability in the region,” he said.
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