First Congressional Hearing on the Salton Sea in 23 years set for Thursday morning
For the first time since 1997, there will be a Congressional Hearing regarding the Salton Sea.
You can watch the virtual hearing live below starting at 9 a.m. on Thurday.
The hearing, entitled "Federal and State Efforts to Restore the Salton Sea," will be hosted by the House Natural Resources Committee’s Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee.
Local Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz will speak at the hearing and Thomas Tortez, Chairman of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, will be among those testifying.
According to Ruiz's office, the hearing has been in the works since September when Ruiz and Congressman Juan Vargas of California's 51st District requested a Congressional hearing be held to address the impending public health and environmental health crisis at the Salton Sea.
The sea has caused respiratory problems in surrounding communities caused by toxic dust blown from dried up areas. Ruiz has also previously noted that the area has the "largest rate of pediatric asthma hospitalization in the entire state."
Officials have also said that the Salton Sea is receding at an alarming rate, about 6-inches a year, exposing the toxic lake bed. Last October, News Channel 3's Madison Weil got an exclusive aerial view of the environmental disaster at the Salton Sea.
Back in July, it was revealed that the state budget includes $47 million to help the Salton Sea. This came after calls from local leaders to
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.
