Press Release

May 22, 2000

LA QUINTA—The Salton Sea Authority has approved a one-year partnership with the Salton Community Services District for a pilot project that will result in first major coordinated effort to clean fish from high-use shoreline areas.

“The district is very much interested in participating in the proposed cleanup of the shoreline, not only for environmental improvement but also from a public relations viewpoint,” said Services District General Manager Henry P. Snyder.

The Authority will fund up to $100,000 for the one-year contract with the Services District. The District will be using its personnel and equipment to do the work.

Authority Board President Tom Veysey pointed out that shoreline cleanup is one of several pilot projects proposed by the Authority as part of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to restore the Sea.

“We are happy to participate and get something started while we work on the overall solution to this problem,” Veysey said. 

Residents at the Sea petitioned the Department of Fish and Game, the agency responsible for the Sea’s fishery, to clean up dead fish around the Sea.

But rather than wait for the Department of Fish and Game to act, the Community Services District submitted a proposal to the Authority to temporarily fund a cleanup crew of two services district maintenance workers on a half-time basis. Under the proposed contract, the Authority also would pay the Services District for use of its equipment for the effort.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to seek leadership from the Department of Fish and Game on this issue,” Veysey said. He noted that there might be a concern from that department regarding precedents statewide. “That is a legitimate concern of all public agencies,” he said.

Snyder has proposed to clean up eight sites along the West Shores: Freebie Point, Martin Flores Park, Palm Beach RV Park, Johnson’s Landing, Salton Sea Beach Marina, Desert Shores Boat Ramp and Beach Area, The Keys at Salton City and the sea wall on Capri Lane.

The District’s proposal quotes rates for both personnel and equipment that are lower than competitive industry market rates, Snyder said. It will create a clean up crew of two maintenance workers, a skip loader and dump truck to be dedicated on a half-time basis.

 In addition to contributing to a cleaner environment and creating more appealing public shoreline areas, the Authority will gain data on the volume and type of fish collected.

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