Revive the Salton Sea

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, today we are leading the way at the Red Hill Bay to revive the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is the largest body of water in and poses the largest public health and economic threat to California.

As the sea recedes, windblown dust containing arsenic and pesticides can cause respiratory distress in kids and seniors in the surrounding communities. The noxious odors may reduce home values and harm our tourism industry, costing billions of dollars. For too long, there has been study after study but no concrete action.

Today, at the Salton Sea's Red Hill Bay, we break ground on the first large-scale project to help prevent dust exposure and promote renewable energy development.

Imagine a Salton Sea that hosts the largest renewable energy industrial park in the Nation, creating jobs in southern California, while preserving wildlife habitat and preventing the noxious dust our children may breathe. Imagine a Salton Sea that, once again, attracts tourists from throughout the globe.

This is my vision for the Salton Sea, and today we took the first step to making this vision a reality.

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