(Coachella, CA) – Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) has released the following statement regarding the Department of Interior’s announcement that the Bureau of Reclamation will chip in $250 million from the Inflation Reduction Act towards the Salton Sea, an encouraging addition to the State of California’s nearly $600 million investment:
“We are hopeful that this $250 million from the federal government marks a start to their increased engagement and cooperation with the state and locals on this urgent public health and ecological crisis at the Salton Sea. Our California leadership has delivered $583 million to support the Salton Sea and community-driven project priorities and we have long sought federal partnership and their share of investment to help achieve our benchmarks. In addition to the Prop 68 funding and reinforcing state budget allocations we have secured, California has shovels in the ground, nearing completion on the Species Conservation Habitat Project that will improve air quality in the region. The Department of Interior’s announcement is a great first step and we must keep federal attention focused on this issue. We must all pull our weight to accelerate Salton Sea solutions and protections for residents.”
“We are grateful to California Natural Resources Secretary Crowfoot, Governor Newsom, Imperial Irrigation District, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and Coachella Valley Water District for their persistence in pursuing federal funding and coming together on this agreement.”
