California lawmakers have lined up $280 million for dust-control and habitat restoration projects at the Salton Sea as part of a proposed bond measure that would go before voters next year.
Two bills, AB18 and SB5, both include the funding for projects at the Salton Sea, where state officials are working on the initial stages of a 10-year plan that remains largely unfunded.
“The bills are now being merged and there’s one more vote to be taken,” Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, told The Desert Sun. “There is a commitment of both the Assembly and the Senate to fully fund the management plan.”
In addition to controlling dust and building wetlands, the state’s plan also contemplates the construction of more geothermal energy plants near the Salton Sea’s south shore.
There are now 11 geothermal plants in the area, and the state’s plan requires that canals and ponds be built to ensure access to areas where new plants could be built.
“Equally important as illustrating the challenges is highlighting the extreme economic and renewable energy potential of this region,” Garcia said in a statement. “The area surrounding the Salton Sea is ripe with renewable energy opportunities, the vast expanse of open land lends itself perfectly for geothermal. We must remain innovative and leverage all available resources to support these economic drivers.”