2025 Imperial Valley Salton Sea Conference: Challenges and Opportunities
On May 9, 2025, Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc., with the Pacific Institute, held the “2025 Imperial Valley Salton Sea Conference: Challenges and Opportunities (Conference)” hosted at Imperial Valley College in El Centro. The purpose of this inaugural Conference was to gather community and subject matter expertise focused on the environmental, public health, and community topics tied to the greater Salton Sea region.
Los Amigos de la Comunidad
The mission of Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc. is dedicated to building the capacity of underserved communities in the greater Imperial Valley facing socio-economic and environmental injustices and challenges, lack of educational opportunities, poor infrastructure, lack of access to clean energy/transportation, and lack of affordable and adequate housing.
Conference Agenda
The Conference started with welcoming remarks from Alexis Villa (Vice President Imperial Valley College), Isabel Solis (President Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc. and Imperial Valley College Board of Trustee), Mike Cohen (Pacific Institute), and Erick Montoya Reyes (Executive Director, Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc.). Following this opening, five different panels were provided including:
The Community Perspectives Panel composed of Hector Cervantes (Calipatria Foundation), Isabel Solis, Larry Cox (Imperial Valley Farm Bureau), Dr. Amato Evan (UC San Diego Dust), Thomas Brinkerhoff (Imperial County Air Pollution District), and Felipe Vega (Imperial County Environmental Health).
Imperial Irrigation District Panel composed of Alex Cardenas (Director, Division 1) and Patrick O’Dowd (Salton Sea Authority Executive Director).
Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board with Michael Placencia (Executive Director).
Keynote address provided by Senator Steve Padilla (D-CA), District 18.
California Natural Resources Agency: Salton Sea Management Panel composed of Joe O’Shea (Director), Mario Llanos (Deputy Assistant Secretary), and Miguel Hernandez (Public Affairs Officer).
Lithium Valley Panel composed of Ryan Kelley (Imperial County Board of Supervisors, District 4), Rob Moore (CEO Controlled Thermal Resources), Dr. Michael McKibben (Professor, UC Riverside), Corban Dillon (Imperial Valley College Student), and Brian Mooney (Managing Principal Rick Engineering Company).
After presentation and comments from each panel, the sessions opened up to attendee questions and answers.
More Information
For more information, contact Eric Montoya Reyes, Executive Director Los Amigos de la Comunidad at losamigosdlac@gmail.com or visit the website at losamigosdelacomunidad.com.