Riverside County coordinates with the South Coast and Imperial air districts on Salton Sea dust mitigation, where receding shorelines expose playa generating PM10 and PM2.5 exceeding federal standards in nearby communities.
The Salton Sea, California's largest lake straddling Riverside and Imperial counties, has receded significantly since 2003 reduced inflows. Exposed playa releases fine dust harming Coachella, Mecca, North Shore, and Bombay Beach residents who already report elevated asthma rates. The state Salton Sea Management Program, in partnership with Riverside County, funds wetland restoration, vegetation seeding, and surface roughening. South Coast AQMD enforces Rule 403 dust control and emergency episode actions. Riverside County procurement and construction contracts require dust-suppression best management practices for projects in the basin.
Construction without approved dust-control plans faces SCAQMD fines, stop-work orders, and notice-of-violation referrals, often exceeding 5,000 dollars per incident.
See how Palm Springs's sustainable procurement rules stack up against other locations.
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