A letter supporting a Salton Sea conservation project as long as it allows potential geothermal development in the area was approved unanimously by the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking to restore shallow water habitat for fish and birds lost due to increased salinity and reduced surface area, said Andy Horne, deputy county executive officer for natural resources.
“This is a fairly large project,” Horne said, adding the project would add around 2,500 to 3,000 acres of ponds near the New River and the Alamo River. The project would also mitigate problems of dust coming from the exposed playa at the Salton Sea, he said.
But the Alamo River lies above some of the most promising geothermal resources in the county, Horne said during a presentation to the board.
The Imperial Irrigation District already leased the land to CalEnergy, Horne said, which plans to develop geothermal plants in the area. The project brings some concerns, he said.
“Our (county) position is they (state) should design and construct the project (giving) equal consideration of both habitat and renewable energy potential,” Horne said.
The approved letter will be submitted to the state, which is receiving comments on the project until Oct. 17, he said adding that construction of the project could start sometime within a year.
It is “critical” to have restoration of habitat, but the Salton Sea has to be open for geothermal exploration and development, said Supervisor Gary Wyatt. “We (county) have to make sure that it stays that way,” he said.
There has to be a way to coexist habitat and development, Supervisor Mike Kelley said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
The state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking to restore shallow water habitat for fish and birds lost due to increased salinity and reduced surface area, said Andy Horne, deputy county executive officer for natural resources.
“This is a fairly large project,” Horne said, adding the project would add around 2,500 to 3,000 acres of ponds near the New River and the Alamo River. The project would also mitigate problems of dust coming from the exposed playa at the Salton Sea, he said.
But the Alamo River lies above some of the most promising geothermal resources in the county, Horne said during a presentation to the board.
The Imperial Irrigation District already leased the land to CalEnergy, Horne said, which plans to develop geothermal plants in the area. The project brings some concerns, he said.
“Our (county) position is they (state) should design and construct the project (giving) equal consideration of both habitat and renewable energy potential,” Horne said.
The approved letter will be submitted to the state, which is receiving comments on the project until Oct. 17, he said adding that construction of the project could start sometime within a year.
It is “critical” to have restoration of habitat, but the Salton Sea has to be open for geothermal exploration and development, said Supervisor Gary Wyatt. “We (county) have to make sure that it stays that way,” he said.
There has to be a way to coexist habitat and development, Supervisor Mike Kelley said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
