MOU signing represents unified purpose on Salton Sea

THERMAL, Calif. — The Imperial County and Riverside County Boards of Supervisors came together this week to ceremoniously sign a memorandum of understanding that establishes their unified support of restoration and redevelopment efforts on the Salton Sea.

“This MOU represents a good faith effort, of both counties, to work together toward stabilization and restoration of the Salton Sea area,” Imperial County Supervisors’ Chairman Ray Castillo said in a news release.

During the ceremony, Riverside County District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said, “We have not always been on the same page. There are times when we have had different agendas and plans for the sea, but those days are over as of today. Today we are in agreement of how we move forward at this critical time of the Salton Sea.”

In addition to the Imperial and Riverside, the MOU is supported by stakeholders such as the Imperial Irrigation District, the Salton Sea Authority, the Torres-Martinez Indian Tribe and the Coachella Valley Water District.

The main takeaway from the MOU will eventually be the establishment of what are called “enhanced infrastructure financing districts.” The respective districts, one in Riverside County along the northern edge of the Salton Sea, and one along the southern edge in Imperial County, will act as financing mechanisms designed to promote economic development around the sea, economic development that will ultimately drive restoration.

The first step in the process to form an EIFD was completed on July 2, with the official signing of this MOU by the respective boards. That set the groundwork for intergovernmental collaboration in obtaining a common goal: The MOU states it is the intent of both counties to “take coordinated and cooperative action to further stabilize the Salton Sea on such restoration efforts which would protect and improve public health, air quality and wildlife habitat.”

Although created to generate revenues, the proposed taxing district would not create a new tax, but would instead be drafted in such a way as to collect on any difference from increased property values. In a nutshell, the total of increased property taxes due to an assessment by the county assessor’s office — or when a home was sold — minus the total of the immediately previous property valuation, would be earmarked for the EIFD. Similar revenue increases from properties lying outside the EIFD would instead be absorbed straight into the county’s general fund.

Also of importance in the MOU is the continued support for both North Lake and Perimeter Lake concepts for the restoration of the Salton Sea as outlined in the first phase, 10year Salton Sea Management Program plan. The North Lake vision provides for an in-sea barrier around the contours of the north shoreline with a deep lake, while the perimeter lake concept includes a South Lake component and resembles a flowing river with a system of low-profile levees bordering the Salton Sea shoreline.

“It is historic to bring these adjoining counties together on a topic that is very important to the citizens of Riverside and Imperial counties, and we hope to work on more items in concert that will benefit both our populations,” Imperial County District 4 Supervisor Ryan Kelley said. Kelley represents the north end of the county.

Kelley said the next steps are for the respective counties to continue to have further dialogue with the California Natural Resources Agency to move forward with its Salton Sea Management Program and with the federal Department of Interior over its role in sea restoration efforts.