Guest Commentary written by

Silvia Paz

Silvia Paz

Silvia Paz is the founder and executive director of Alianza Coachella Valley, and was the chair of the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Lithium Extraction.

I grew up in the Salton Sea region in a mobile home community of farmworkers. Our corner of the unincorporated town Mecca lacked access to transportation, grocery stores, health clinics, sidewalks, reliable electricity and sewer or water infrastructure.

Over the decades, change has been slow. It would take substantial, sustained funding to address the dire economic, health and environmental needs.

Communities in the Salton Sea are united by more than our historic underinvestment, though. Despite being artificially separated between Imperial and Riverside counties, we have similar cultures, ecosystems and economic drivers like agriculture and tourism. In many ways, the experiences and priorities of Salton Sea communities have more in common with each other than with the larger metropolitan regions assigned to us. 

We must find a way to overcome the economic regions that divide us based on county lines. Creating a stronger future for the Salton Sea depends on our unity, especially as we navigate the uncertainties of the lithium industry, and as the state prepares to disburse $10 billion from the climate bond that California voters passed in November. 

When separated between Imperial and Riverside counties, our community’s voices are drowned out by the priorities of more-resourced metropolitan areas. For areas comprised of neighborhoods and mobile home parks that consistently rank in the state’s lowest income quartiles, this deepens our competitive disadvantage, and blocks us from accessing resources that are so crucial to bolstering fundamental infrastructure.

Our current experience with the lithium mining boom is a perfect example. Salton Sea communities will be closest to the environmental impacts of lithium extraction. Yet, we have no guarantees or assurances that the major economic benefits developers have long touted will also reach our communities.

Instead, we’re left negotiating for the basics, like road and bridge repairs to handle heavier industrial traffic. Every community should have functional roads. We should not have to negotiate with developers to fulfill this fundamental need, especially one that supports their business and financial success.

The reason we don’t have the building blocks for a thriving economy — the reason we’re asking developers for the basics — is directly tied to the economic regions where the state has placed us, fragmenting the flow of public funding into our communities over the years.

Being recognized as one region would provide a spark of hope and a pathway to overcome the obstacles hampering the access to resources. In 2024, the Salton Sea region came together to ask the state to elevate our geographic area to a fully recognized economic region. While these initial efforts were ultimately vetoed by the governor, local governments and community leaders are exploring other ways to make our fractured voices louder and advocate as one for what we all need.

Alongside researchers from the University of Southern California, we are working to unearth areas of common interest between communities and local governments. We are currently focused on Imperial and Riverside counties, as well as the cities of Brawley, Calipatria, El Centro, Westmorland and Coachella.

Already, our research is revealing promising opportunities for us to advocate together around shared goals. For example, every single one of these areas wants to prioritize upgrading their water systems — which happens to be a primary investment focus of the climate bond.

All around the Salton Sea, my neighbors and I have pride in our histories and cultures. We feel a deep connection to our neighborhoods and agree that stronger infrastructure, clean water and clean air are essential. We are determined to make progress on strengthening our collective voice to meet our shared needs, and we urgently hope our partners in state government will follow.

A united and recognized Salton Sea region is the key to ensuring our communities benefit from new climate investments and major industrial development. It is key to realizing our potential so this important area of California’s future can truly thrive.