County issues another emergency declaration regarding New River

EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a proclamation that declared the existence of a local emergency in the county of Imperial at the New River once again.

CEO Tony Rouhotas Jr. penned a letter explaining the county’s position and, after receiving additional input from the supervisors, sent the letter to the appropriate federal officials.

In a memorandum from Rouhotas to the supervisors, he reiterated the county’s concern regarding the conditions of extreme peril to the health, safety and welfare of the county and its residents caused by the release of raw sewage and other pollutants into the New River. In his letter to supervisors he wrote these pollutants and releases are continuing to expose residents, workers and visitors of the county to toxic substances and pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, Streptococcus and hepatitis.

Rouhotas also again touched on the need for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Calexico.

He said the failure of the current Mexicali sewer infrastructure, over which Imperial County has no control, has increased the frequency and severity of the discharges.

“As of this date, there is not a plan of action by the International Boundary and Water Commission or other governmental agencies,” he wrote in the letter. “For this reason, the county is seeking immediate assistance of our state and federal governments to assist us in ensuring the safety of our community.”

In the letter to the supervisors that predated the emergency proclamation, Rouhotas said the Operation and Emergency Services is aware of what’s going on in regard to the New River.

“Therefore the county is once again recommending adoption of a proclamation of local emergency as previously done on Oct. 24, 2019, and request appropriate action to be taken in regards to the New River,” he wrote.

The emergency proclamation, which was signed by Supervisor Chairman Luis Plancarte, mentions the discharge of 4,131 cubic meters of untreated wastewater into the New River on Sept. 18, which was permitted by the city of Mexicali.

The proclamation will expire after 60 days unless extended by the supervisors.

The emergency proclamation passed 4-0. Supervisor Ryan Kelley was unable to attend the meeting.