REP. VARGAS SENDS LETTER TO IMPERIAL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADDRESSING FEDERAL NEW RIVER AND SALTON SEA MITIGATION EFFORTS
Imperial County, CA (October 6, 2020) Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after sending a letter to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors updating them on important legislation on the New River and Salton Sea. The letter also highlights collaboration opportunities to address cross border pollution at a local, state and federal level.
“My colleagues in Congress and I have and will continue fighting for additional funding and federal resources needed to mitigate cross border pollution at the border. I’m very pleased to report on two pieces of legislation that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. Both pieces of legislation included crucial language addressing the ongoing environmental crises at the New River and Salton Sea.
“It is important to maintain an open line of communication between my office, the community, and local stakeholders. Infrastructure projects for the New River and Salton Sea could be eligible for Border Water Infrastructure Program funding and funding under the Water Resources and Development Act. These proposed projects must, however, be submitted for approval by local stakeholders directly to the Army Corps of Engineers.
“The environmental and public health crisis at the border is affecting the lives and livelihood of the residents and workers in my district. I sent out a letter to local stakeholders addressing opportunities to combine mitigation efforts to combat cross border pollution. This is an opportunity for local, state, and federal partners to come together and strengthen all of Imperial Valley. These serious issues require efforts at all levels of government.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his third term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
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