Water Management in Borrego Springs: The Role of the Watermaster

What happens at the Salton Sea over the next decade will very likely have a large effect on Borrego Springs, both environmentally and economically. The biggest immediate concern is air quality. The biggest potential opportunity is economic and tourism spillover from a transformed Salton Sea/Lithium Valley region. Clearly, the downside Borrego should take most seriously is air quality. This isn't hypothetical. San Diego County's own Borrego Springs Community Plan specifically instructs the community to monitor the Salton Sea because windblown sand and chemical particulates can reach the Borrego Valley. California's Water Resources Control Board (CARB) says the retreating shoreline creates public-health risks because dust can be emitted from soils containing decades of accumulated agricultural and wastewater material. CARB is now funding research specifically to determine how much Salton Sea dust reaches surrounding communities, what chemicals it contains, and how climate change could alter those exposures. That makes successful Salton Sea restoration directly beneficial to Borrego Springs. The new Salton Sea Conservancy , launched this year, is particularly important because it creates a permanent state institution charged with restoration, habitat management and air-quality improvement. California is also filling portions of the Species Conservation Habitat project with water and expanding dust-suppression work. If those efforts stabilize significant areas of exposed playa, Borrego could receive an environmental dividend without spending Borrego groundwater to obtain it. Conversely, if Colorado River cutbacks accelerate the Sea's decline faster than restoration can cover newly exposed playa, Borrego could experience worsening regional particulate pollution. Research modeling the shrinking Sea has projected significant increases in regional PM10 as additional playa is exposed. While the future is always unknown, here’s where things get interesting. Lithium Valley could change Borrego economically. The Salton Sea is no longer simply an environmental-restoration story. It is increasingly becoming an energy, minerals and infrastructure story. Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) announced in March a $4.7 billion transaction intended to finance development of its Hell's Kitchen geothermal/lithium project. CTR is targeting 50 MW of electricity by 2028 and 25,000 metric tons of lithium annually by 2029. The technology still has to prove itself commercially, so those targets should not be treated as certain. Meanwhile, another part of the geothermal industry is looking increasingly toward supplying electricity to AI/data centers. If even a substantial portion of those plans materializes, southeastern California could develop something it has never really had before: a significant clean-energy/critical-minerals industrial cluster. Borrego could become the attractive western gateway to this emerging region. That potentially means more visitors, executives, investors, scientists, journalists, researchers, government officials and environmental organizations moving through the area. Some will want lodging, restaurants, meeting space and recreation without staying at the Salton Sea or an industrial operation. Borrego could offer precisely what the southern Salton Sea cannot: a beautiful, quiet desert destination next to a state park and protected landscape. Tourism could be the sleeper opportunity. There's another development that hasn't received nearly as much attention. California State Parks is developing a new long-term vision for recreation at the Salton Sea, potentially including more trails, camping, interpretation, wildlife viewing and other forms of public access. A draft general plan is expected in 2027. Combine that with Anza-Borrego and you could eventually have a much stronger regional tourism proposition. Imagine Borrego Springs, Gateway to the Salton Sea combining desert ecology, geology, energy technology, wildlife, water recreation, and dark skies. More to come as the Borrego Sun considers a number of plausible future scenarios. References Borrego Springs CP Salton Sea Program What one company’s shift towards data centers says about Imperial County’s lithium industry | KPBS Public Media More hiking trails, campgrounds could come to the Salton Sea

Originally published by KPBS.org on August 20, 2026.

Circle of Art Continues a Tradition of Art and Giving in Borrego Springs

New unscripted series highlights the Imperial County micronation created by longtime radio broadcaster Randy Williams Radio veteran Randy “R Dub!” Williams is launching a new unscripted series centered on the Republic of Slowjamastan, the micronation he established in Imperial County. Greetings from Slowjamastan premieres Thursday, August 27 at 5 p.m. PT on Slowjamastan State Television’s YouTube channel. New episodes are scheduled to be released each Thursday. Williams is Vice President of Communications and Media for Z90 and Magic 92.5 in San Diego and is the creator and host of the syndicated radio program Sunday Night Slow Jams. He has worked in radio for more than three decades as an on-air personality, programmer, executive and syndicated host. The premiere episode, “Big Trouble in Little Slowjamastan,” includes radio consultant Tim Richards and follows interactions between Slowjamastan representatives and local government authoritie s.

September 19 from 2–6 p.m.

Celebrating KRAM 90.5 FM and the Local Media Connecting Borrego Springs

The County of San Diego wants to hear from you. Join a virtual community meeting to learn how the County advocates for state and federal legislation and help shape the 2027 legislative program. The County’s Economic Development and Government Affairs (EDGA) office is asking residents to weigh in on the issues that matter most. Your input helps guide the County’s legislative strategy and helps ensure that the strategy reflects real community priorities. The legislative program outlines the Board of Supervisors’ policy goals and directs EDGA’s year-round advocacy on state and federal bills and regulatory actions. priorities. So far this year, the County has taken positions on 16 state and federal bills focused on key priorities: Safeguarding the social safety net Advancing housing solutions Bolstering the behavioral health system Ensuring safe communities Responding to the Tijuana River Valley Sewage Crisis The virtual community forum is set for Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. Register and learn more at Engage San Diego County . For disability-related modifications, language interpretation, or other accommodations, please email Legislative.Program@sdcounty.ca.gov . The County will record and post the session in full on the Engage San Diego site afterwards.  You can also submit your comments on Engage San Diego County through September 14. Beyond its legislative work, EDGA also drives the County’s economic development strategy, supports small businesses, leads to County’s binational affairs efforts in the California-Baja region, manages County grant programs, and updates and implements the County’s Strategic Plan and governance documents. For details, visit the EDGA website or call 619-531-5198.

Public comments focus on the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink as Anza-Borrego Foundation is honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Supporters of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park addressed the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 18 as concerns continue over the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink. Community members participated in person and virtually, submitted comments and spoke about potential impacts of the proposed project on the park and surrounding communities. Partner organizations involved in the broader advocacy effort include Save Temecula, Save Palomar Mountain, Save Fallbrook and Save Warner Springs. During the meeting, District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond brought the Anza-Borrego Foundation before the Board and proclaimed Aug. 18, 2026 , Anza-Borrego Foundation Day in San Diego County .