The Salton Sea Authority Board in December approved a $166,608 one-year extension of a contract with Environmental Recovery Solutions to provide on-sea recovery of fish during die offs.

The Authority originally contracted with ERS in December 2001 for the unique pilot project that removes fish from the surface of the Sea during die-off periods before the carcasses have a chance to foul the Sea's shoreline.

The project is designed to eventually become commercially self-supporting.

During the past year the project has been well received by business and community interests around the Sea.

ERS has secured permits, constructed marine equipment and spent over 100 days out on the water either removing fish or searching for moralities.

Many lessons were learned during this first year. In addition, estimated total project cost of approximately $450,000 will be below ERS' original budget of $475,000.

Over the past year, according to ERS records, ERS recovered and disposed of 61,000 lbs of fish, which was substantially below previous years' totals. Fish die-off events were considerably higher for calendar years 1999 and 2000.

When ERS initially submitted their proposal, the company anticipated reimbursing the Authority for capital equipment purchased. Their revenue was to be obtained by operating a fish emulsion project called hydrolysates. Due to the small amount of fish that were recovered during the year, the program did not get underway. Where there is sufficient fish mass, ERS will begin operation of the pilot plant in conjunction with their fish recovery operations. Funding for fabrication of the pilot plant will be provided by ERS. Operational funding will be provided by ERS and through the sale of the hydrolysate to participating farms.

Marion Ashley, the newest member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, has been appointed a member of the Salton Sea Authority Board.

Ashley represents Riverside County's Fifth Supervisorial District. Until recently, he served as a director of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and as a board member and past president of the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), where he has led efforts for more efficient operations and more equitable rates for water users.

He is also president of the EMWD Facilities Corporation and a director of the Association of California Water Agencies.

Ashley is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in a major national accounting firm, former president of a real estate investment firm, and former chairman of Valley Bank of Moreno Valley.

He has given more than 30 years of public service to Riverside County. In addition, his family has donated hundreds of acres in the west Perris hills to establish University of California's "Motte Rimrock Reserve" for wildlife preservation.

Community service and youth programs have always been top priorities for Ashley, who founded the Perris Youth Basketball Program, served as a director and treasurer of Riverside Community Hospital, past president of the Rotary Club of Perris, as trustee of the UC Riverside Foundation and a trustee of the March Field Museum Foundation.

He is a native of Riverside County and attended local schools. He graduated from Riverside Community College and San Diego State University with degrees in Business Management. He and his wife of 47 years, Mary, live in Perris. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren.