Some Salton Sea residents skeptical new conservancy can improve environment after years of health issues

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KESQ) - Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the creation of the Salton Sea Conservancy, which is meant to restore the habitat in the area and improve air quality. It's the state's first conservancy in 15 years.

"For too long, communities around the Salton Sea have carried the burden of environmental challenges and neglect," Newsom said in a video statement. "Today, California is changing that."

Residents like Imari Kariotis say they've developed chronic health issues from living in the area.

"I have breathing issues. So I am on this Nova disc in the morning. I have a rescue inhaler," Kariotis says.

She's lived in the area for 30 years, and says affordability is what brings most people to the area. But, she says the government has neglected the region.

"I feel like I am the forgotten stepchild. A lot of people have that feeling. They resonate with it," she says.

Her son, Anthony, has developed health issues doctors still haven't diagnosed, "he gets sick, he throws up, he's throwing up what looks like blood." Kariotis says when it gets windy, her family stays inside the house.

Joe Shea, who works on Salton Sea policy with the California Natural Resources Agency, says the conservancy will expand the state's capacity for projects at the Salton Sea.

"When we build our dust suppression projects, they're suppressing dust by 75% to 90% in the areas that we build them," Shea says.

Shea says the conservancy will instituionalize local and regional community input and partnership.

"We've got to not just build the projects, but make sure that they're operating efficiently for decades and decades to come so that communities here are feel that their government is being responsive to their needs," he says.

The first public meeting for the conservancy will be held on May 14th at the Imperial Irrigation District La Quinta board room.