Salton Sea Air Quality Mitigation Program

The Salton Sea Air Quality Mitigation Program (AQMP) was developed by the Imperial Irrigation District to provide a comprehensive, science-based, adaptive approach to address air quality mitigation requirements associated with the transfer of conserved water. Each component of the program is used to identify, prioritize, and guide implementation for dust control measures on exposed Salton Sea playa.

Conditions at the Sea

Acres

Exposed Playa

Tons/Day

Playa Emissions

Tons/Day

Desert Emissions

Progress Made by the Mitigation Program

Samples

Surface Samples Analyzed

Cores

Soil Cores Analyzed

Acres

Existing & Planned Projects

Program Components

Estimate Emissions

Map Exposure

Characterize Surfaces

Model Wind Conditions

Estimate Emissions

The Emissions Monitoring Program estimates emissions and identifies areas of exposed playa for proactive dust control.
Learn More

Plan and Design

Assess Soil Suitability

Assess Water Availability

Evaluate Vegetation Establishment

Collaborate with Stakeholders

Select Dust Control Measure

An annual Proactive Dust Control Plan offers recommendations and design for site specific dust control measures.
Learn More

Air Quality Monitoring Network

Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Meteorological Towers

Cameras

The Salton Sea Air Quality Monitoring Network includes multiple air quality, meteorological, and camera stations for the purpose of monitoring and characterizing windblown dust in the Imperial Valley.
Learn More

The Salton Sea Air Quality Mitigation Program, including this webpage, has been created and funded by the Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority (QSA JPA). The QSA JPA administers funding of environmental mitigation requirements related to the QSA water transfers. The QSA JPA collects, holds, invests, and disburses funds needed for the required mitigation projects. The QSA JPA is comprised of designated representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Imperial Irrigation District (IID), and San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) that serve as Commissioners and staff. CVWD, IID, and SDCWA are required to provide up to $133 million (in 2003 dollars) to pay for the QSA JPA mitigation program and the State of California is responsible to pay for any environmental mitigation costs that exceed $133 million.