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

The Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority (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.

The Salton Sea Air Quality Mitigation Program, including this webpage has been created and funded by the QSA JPA.

The main components include 1) an annual Emissions Monitoring Program to estimate emissions and to identify areas of exposed playa for proactive dust control, 2) an annual Proactive Dust Control Plan with recommendations and design for site-specific dust control measures, and 3) implementation of dust control measures to prevent PM₁₀ dust source areas from becoming significant sources of dust emissions, and also scaling and adapting dust control measures to efficiently achieve control at a larger scale. The annual Emissions Monitoring Program is designed to work hand-in-hand with the development of the annual Proactive Dust Control Plan and subsequent implementation of dust control measures. This approach allows effective use of resources to help protect the public health of communities near and around the Salton Sea.