Salton Sea Report Findings

* People should be pleased--but not surprised--by the recent scientific reports indicating that pesticides are not a major cause of the problems of the Salton Sea (May 23). Environmentalists, farmers and public agency officials have all known for some time that the real problems of the sea lie elsewhere.

The cause of the sea’s excessive (and occasionally toxic) algal growth is the fertilizer contained in agricultural runoff. Fortunately, farmers are working responsibly with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to develop a program of TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) for nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

State Sen. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) was reported to hold an opinion that is widespread, but wrong: Since the Salton Sea is of relatively recent, man-made origin, there is no reason why the birds cannot find another stopping place if the sea ceases to exist. Unfortunately for us all, other havens for migratory birds throughout the region have largely been destroyed during the past century. Coastal wetlands of Southern California have been ravaged, as have the formerly extensive wetlands at the mouth of the Colorado River. The Salton Sea is it. There is nowhere else for birds to go. The Salton Sea must be saved.

VICTOR LEIPZIG PhD

Biology Instructor

Golden West College

Huntington Beach