Saving the Salton Sea

By Denise Moreno Ducheny

An Important Natural Resourse

Additionally, a proposed agreement between the Imperial Irrigation District and the San Diego County Water Authority to transfer up to 300,000 acre-ft. of agricultural water to San Diego and Coachella, could adversely affect the amount of agricultural drainage flowing into the sea. The problems are many and diverse while the proposed solutions are often expensive and unproven. Solutions must be found because the alternative is to lose a precious resource that provides jobs, natural habitat, and recreational facilities for local, state and international visitors.

As your Senator, it is my intention to fight to save the Salton Sea and protect our agricultural base. I will work with local residents and officials, Congress, the Governor, State Assembly and Senate members and any one who will help build a bipartisan coalition to save the Salton Sea. This body of water is critical to the lives of residents of the Imperial, Coachella and Palo Verde Valleys and we cannot allow nay Sayers to divert us from this task.

Part of the solution must also include developing the area's economy with higher paying jobs and new business enterprises. We need affordable housing and adequate health care for residents. I want our children to receive a first-rate education and go to college so they can be a part of a newly revived Southern California Border region.

Senior citizens and veterans should benefit from the contributions they made. Many of them live and work in our communities and should be included in our new agenda for the region. These working men and women of all ages and races have made us what we are today and cannot be ignored!

I look forward to joining the ongoing efforts to save the Salton Sea and will be honored to serve as your representative in the California State Senate.