Special Focus:
California's Salton Sea
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Hope for the Salton Sea
The
Salton Sea
is a lake stretching 35 mi
les across the southeastern California desert. A vital ecosy
stem for birds along the Pacific Flyway, the loss of water flowing to the lake has increased salinity levels and exposed more than 20,000 acres of lakebed, in turn increasing the amount of
dust in the air
, decreasing
bird habitat,
and imperiling
public health
.
For more than 20 years, the Pacific Institute has published leading research on the Salton Sea. With an upcoming
Salton Sea Summit
, we ask: do the state's recent actions promise hope for California's largest lake?
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Blog Post:
Salton Sea +20
By Michael Cohen, Senior Researcher
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After decades of false starts and false hopes, progress might finally be within reach for California’s Salton Sea – the state’s largest and most maligned lake, writes Cohen. Will 2019 really mark a turning point for the Salton Sea, or will it signal yet another false hope?
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Mark Your Calendar:
Upcoming Salton Sea Summit
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On October 17th and 18th, the Pacific Institute and the University of California, Riverside will host a multi-disciplinary
Salton Sea Summit
.
The summit will include panels on hydrology, ecology, dust control, projects, and policy. It is intended to attract a broad range of interests, promote an exchange of ideas, and develop new opportunities and partnerships. Supported by the
Water Foundation
a
nd the
Bureau of Reclamation
, the event will be hosted in both English and Spanish.
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Measuring the Cost of Inaction at the Salton Sea
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The Pacific Institute has played an active role at the Salton Sea for more than 20 years, participating on state and federal advisory committees, developing alternative restoration proposals, suggesting improvements to existing plans and concepts, and working with a broad range of stakeholders. The Institute has also produced several leading reports on the Salton Sea:
This report, published in 2014, found that worsening air quality, the loss of valuable ecological habitat, diminished recreational revenue, and property devaluation could cost from $29 billion to $70 billion over 30 years, well in excess of the projected cost of the state’s proposed revitalization and water transfer mitigation plan.
Published in 2006, this report found that over the next 20 years, human health in the Imperial and Coachella valleys would be harmed by the estimated 33% increase in the amount of fine windblown dust from the Salton Sea's basin and that the lake's ecosystem would face dramatic changes -- changes that are now occurring.
Published in 1999, this report examined the history and condition of the lake, the threats to the region, and possible solutions to protect its value. Its context and findings remain relevant to current ecosystem and public health efforts.
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Further Information on the Salton Sea
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Update from the CEO Water Mandate:
Upcoming Session on Resilient Watersheds
Later this month, the CEO Water Mandate will convene an invitation-only side meeting during the
UN Climate Action Summit
in New York. The session will explore what's needed to ensure climate-resilient watersheds and how companies can contribute to these outcomes through environmental, social, economic, and governance lenses.
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Blog Post:
Water Action Hub 3.0
By Peter Schulte, Senior Digital Engagement Associate
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Through the CEO Water Mandate, the Pacific Institute contributes to a number of resources to catalyze water stewardship around the world. With
Water Action Hub 3.0
, people around the world can share insights on good water stewardship practices or barriers to project success
. Additionally, new community “portals” help users hone in on the areas most relevant to their work.
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Update from Circle of Blue:
Updated Laws and Collaboration Needed to Control Legionnaires’ Disease, America’s Deadliest Waterborne Illness
Circle of Blue is an Affiliate of the Pacific Institute
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A collection of top infectious disease experts, microbiologists, engineers, and health officials warns that federal, state, and local laws, including the benchmark
Safe Drinking Water Act
, are inadequate for halting the spread of Legionella, the bacteria responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other water contaminant.
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Meet
Our
Communications Intern Jae Sim
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Jae says he is “more than thrilled” to help out at the Pacific Institute, especially with the organization’s
Water Conflict Chronology
. “I have a personal interest in studying water-related conflicts,” he explains, “and that’s an area where the Institute specializes in generating important research.”
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Upcoming Events:
September through October
2019
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September 16-19
:
Senior Researcher Dr. Anne Thebo will attend the Google Geo for Good Summit in Mountain View, California.
September 18-20
:
Director of Research Heather Cooley will speak on "One Water and the Triple Bottom Line" at the U.S. Water Alliance One Water Conference in Austin, Texas. Senior Researcher Dr. Sarah Diringer and Senior Researcher Dr. Laura Feinstein will attend the conference.
September 22-24
: President Jason Morrison and Senior Researcher Mai-Lan Ha will discuss Resilience and Adaptation and the Nature-Based Solutions Action Track at the
UN Climate Action Summit
in New York on September 22nd. Then the
CEO Water Mandate
, which the Pacific Institute helps manage, will hold a side event on September 24th.
October 1-3
:
Dr. Diringer and Ms. Cooley will attend the Water Smart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. Dr. Diringer will present "Multiple Benefits of Sustainable Landscapes," along with Lisa Cuellar from the
California Water Efficiency Partnership
.
October 3
:
Dr. Feinstein will speak at the California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s public
workshop
"
Challenges and Solutions: The Intersection of Water Quality and People Experiencing Homelessness on the Central Coast" in San Luis Obispo, California.
October 17-18
:
Senior Researcher Michael Cohen will attend the Salton Sea Summit, co-hosted by the Pacific Institute at the University of California, Riverside/Palm Desert campus.
Keep an eye out for more upcoming staff events on our
announcements page
. Read the list of Pacific Institute experts’ past outreach
here
.
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Pacific Institute in the News
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Popular Science:
The EPA's Roll Back of the Clean Water Act Could Impact Drinking Water for Millions of Americans
Circle of Blue:
Amid Rising Water Rates, Massachusetts Cities Have Inequitable Affordability Policies, Report Finds
Read more news featuring Pacific Institute research and experts
here
.
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Help us advance sustainable, science-based water policy with a donation today.
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