Salton Sea Priorities Laid Out By Supervisor Perez

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — As the new president of the Salton Sea Authority board of directors, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez says he will guide "continued efforts to advance habitat and dust suppression projects" at the Sea, and he has laid out his priorities.

At the June meeting of the Salton Sea Authority board of directors, Perez was elected by a unanimous vote to a one-year term as board president beginning July 1.

According to Perez, his goals as board president include: securing funding for more Salton Sea projects; leading a series of outreach and community engagement sessions; building out projects across the entire Salton Sea region, including the North Shore demonstration pilot project at the northern end, and supporting projects in Imperial County at the southern end and to the west in the community of Desert Shores; begin identifying Perimeter Lake projects; and reviewing evaluations and getting feedback from the Salton Sea Authority board on a long‑term strategy of water importation.

Perez said he looks forward to working with state and federal government partners, and continued collaboration with State Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz.

"It is encouraging to see such momentum for the Salton Sea, efforts that are taking place at every single level of government and at the community level, nonprofits on the ground and educational researchers," Perez said. "We are looking forward to a productive year for our Salton Sea efforts, as we work to ensure our number one priority of public health, as well as environmental, social and economic concerns."

Garcia said Perez's election comes at a pivotal time in the region.

"As California continues to make progress on Salton Sea action like never before, with construction on the first major habitat and dust suppression project well underway, the Supervisor’s firsthand knowledge of the state process will allow us to strengthen community engagement and maximize our combined regional efforts," Garcia said.

Ruiz congratulated the supervisor and said he looks forward to "continuing our partnership to strengthen our all-hands-on-deck approach to the urgent environmental crisis affecting our communities. Supervisor Perez’s experience working to mitigate the consequences of the shrinking Sea will help the Salton Sea Authority successfully continue its vital work to protect the public’s health."

The Salton Sea Authority is a joint powers authority comprised of Riverside County, Imperial County, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District and the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.

The other newly elected Salton Sea Authority officers are Imperial County Supervisor Luis A. Plancarte, vice president; Torres‑Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tribal Councilmember Altrena Santillanes, secretary; and Coachella Valley Water District Director Anthony Bianco, treasurer.

Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. His 4th District stretches from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River.