Ruiz Statement On IID Action to Unlock $22M in Salton Sea Funding

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) issued the following statement in reaction to the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors vote to support a historic agreement to mitigate impacts from the worsening drought crisis impacting the Salton Sea: 

“I applaud IID’s vote today. It was the key to unlocking the first $22 million of the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) $250 million for the Salton Sea. From my advocacy for the Salton Sea in the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act to my recent letter to the Department of Interior urging this IRA funding, I have been fighting for equity in addressing the disproportionate burden any decrease in water to the Salton Sea would have on our vulnerable residents’ health and livelihood.  

“IID's vote takes a significant step toward adding more shovels to the ground using this bold investment to protect the public's health and address this environmental crisis. I am very grateful for the collaborative all-hands-on-deck partnership between Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies to address the Salton Sea.” 

BACKGROUND 

The IID Special Board of Directors Meeting follows yesterday’s announcement from the Department of the Interior that it will invest up to $250 million over several years in California’s Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) using funds included in the IRA. The $4 billion in drought funding included in the legislative package will provide critical new tools for the federal government to help mitigate the impact of drought in the Western United States.  

Ruiz has consistently worked to secure funding for the Salton Sea region. Twice this year, he led efforts to ensure the Bureau of Reclamation upholds its commitments to address the crisis at the Sea, writing to Secretary Deb Haaland in August to support the Salton Sea Management Plan and mitigate the effects of proposed water cuts on the Salton Sea region. Earlier this month, Ruiz again called on the Department of Interior to ensure that drought mitigation funding under the IRA is used at the Sea. 

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