South Coast AQMD hosts Dust Summit in Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - South Coast Air Quality Management District, along with Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez hosted a summit on Thursday to discuss health impacts and environmental factors from dust challenges in the Coachella Valley.

Local leaders, scientists, academics and residents discussed the matter at UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus. Affected residents delivered testimonials. Data and studies were presented and current mitigation activities as well as future strategies were explored.

Supervisor Perez said, "We've had these impacts since storm Hillary. But it's been going on for quite some time regardless. The most - the area that's most targeted, most impacted by this dust is in the area of the Whitewater Wash. It's in the area of Thousand Palms and in the area of Cathedral City. That's what we've noticed. That's what we've been able to gather data. Although it has an impact throughout the entire Coachella Valley." 

The South Coast AQMD Governing Board has approved a three-part plan to help address dust in the valley. It involves funding a team of dust researchers to identify key sources, and tailoring projects to tackle those different areas.

The first part is expected to begin later this year.