Salton Sea: Congressmen Ruiz and Vargas reintroduce bill to address New River pollution
U.S. Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, and Juan Vargas, D-San Diego reintroduced a bill this week that is aimed at cleaning up the New River, a highly polluted waterway originating near Mexicali, Mexico that flows north, emptying into the Salton Sea.
The bill, HR491, would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create an organization to be called the California New River Restoration Program, which would coordinate funding and cleanup projects. The proposed legislation, which was introduced on Monday, was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"We need to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of existing conservation efforts by facilitating the coordination of federal and non-federal resources," Vargas said in a statement announcing the proposed legislation. "The California New River Restoration program creates opportunities for measurable progress in restoring the New River in Imperial Valley.”
According to the California Water Boards, "The New River carries urban runoff, treated municipal wastes, untreated and partially treated industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff from the Mexicali Valley."
Then, as it flows about 60 miles through the Imperial Valley, the river picks up roughly two-thirds of its flow in the form of agricultural runoff.
The river dumps nearly 400,000 acre feet per year into the Salton Sea, making it one of the main contributors to California's largest lake. In response, efforts to clean up the river have for years been a central theme in treating the lake's pollution.
“The New River is one of the most polluted in the country, carrying toxins and chemicals from our southern border into the Salton Sea, jeopardizing the health of residents who live and work near the river,” Ruiz said in a statement. “I’m proud to work with Rep. Vargas to bring much needed funding to restore the New River and improve health outcomes for my constituents and residents of Imperial and Riverside Counties.”
The program the bill proposes would also compel the EPA to work with stakeholders on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border to help shape projects that would come as a result. "Once enacted, the program will provide grants and technical assistance of the planning and implementation of conservation strategies for the New River and the surrounding region," according to Ruiz's and Vargas' offices.
This is not the Southern California Democrats' first attempt to move on the river's pollution, although now they stands a better chance with their party controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House.
Most recently, they and other California politicians stuck similar language in the INVEST in America Act, a bill that ultimately failed. They also tried even earlier — including in 2016, 2017 and 2019 — without getting the bill passed.
By: Mark Olalde
Source: Desert Sun