Imperial, California - Recognizing the importance of 2015 and 2016 at the Salton Sea, Imperial Irrigation District and Imperial County have joined forces on a new public awareness effort to highlight the challenges, recent success and progress being made to restore the Salton Sea, avert a public health crisis and develop renewable energy in the region.
Components of the campaign include an updated website, outreach through print media and social media platforms, three display billboards at the Sacramento airport and two highway billboards in Imperial and Coachella valleys.
“The County of Imperial remains committed to Salton Sea restoration,” stated District 4 Supervisor Ryan Kelley. Although recent events exhibited by California leadership shows that the state recognizes responsibility, the billboard displays and other components of the campaign are also intended to keep the focus present in the minds of our state legislature and California regulatory bodies.”
By visiting www.SaltonSeaNow.com, the public can view the latest news about the joint Imperial Irrigation District-Imperial County Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative.
“The Salton Sea will reach a tipping point after 2017, when mitigation water flowing to it comes to a halt and the local impacts of the largest ag-to-urban water transfer will rapidly materialize,” said Antonio Ortega, IID government affairs and communications officer. “The state of California, with its recent actions and proposed funding, has at least recognized that the Salton Sea is a high priority issue. Through this campaign, we hope to keep the public informed and ready to engage on advocacy efforts that may arise in 2016.”
The website features a dramatic animation of the decline of the sea, information on IID’s petition to the State Water Resources Control Board, local poverty and asthma demographics, information on the potential for renewable energy development in the region and the latest news on upcoming public workshops and key deadlines for Salton Sea related matters.
