Experts to gather to address Salton Sea issues in Cabazon
Water experts from across Southern California will convene in Cabazon today to discuss the next steps in resolving issues surrounding the Salton Sea’s receding shoreline, which is causing environmental and public health concerns for both residents and wildlife living in and around the lake.
The noontime event at the Morongo Casino Convention Center is one of four major annual events concerning state water issues hosted by the Southern California Water Coalition.
A panel of experts will examine the current state of the Salton Sea, and what impacts restoration efforts could have following the $200 million in Proposition 68 funds approved this summer, along with the possibility of additional funding from Proposition 3, the Water Supply and Water Quality Act, which will go before voters this November.
Toxic dust exposed by the lake’s receding shoreline has caused respiratory problems for residents in both Imperial and Eastern Riverside counties, while rising salinity in the lake has threatened food sources for local birds and other wildlife.
Panelists will include Bruce Wilcox, the assistant secretary of Salton Sea Policy, Patrick O’Dowd, president of the board for the Salton Sea Authority, Bill Hasencamp, manager of Colorado River Resources for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Tom Davis, chief planning and development officer for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Richard Atwater, senior counsel for the Southern California Water Coalition, will moderate the discussion.
Registration for the event is closed.
Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
