Imperial County and the air district will serve their complaint in federal court against the government agencies that approved the Quantification Settlement Agreement in 2003.
The county filed complaints against the U.S. Department of Interior, its Secretary Ken Salazar, the Bureau of Reclamations and its Commissioner Michael Connor on Oct. 8, according to a county press release.
No action has been taken in the case since October, according to court records.
However, the county is planning on continuing the suit in federal court to ensure the QSA contracts comply with environmental laws, according to the press release.
"The federal lawsuit is not only necessary to protect the health of Imperial County residents. but also the viability of the County's economy," wrote County Counsel Michael Rood in a press release.
If air pollution from the Salton Sea is not controlled, the county may have to deal with more air quality regulations, he wrote. This would negatively affect the economy as businesses would have to "make up for the federal government's failure to comply with its own laws and regulations."
For more information read Thursday's edition online or in print.
--Elizabeth Varin, staff writer
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