Earthquake impacts to the region’s irrigation infrastructure and the results of water quality
studies of the New River will be presented at the next public meeting of the Colorado River
Citizens Forum (CRCF). The meeting will take place Monday, June 7, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
(PDT/MST) at the Imperial Irrigation District Board Room, 1285 Broadway in El Centro,
California. The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission
(USIBWC) established the CRCF in 2003 to facilitate the exchange of information between the
USIBWC and members of the public about Commission activities and related issues in Yuma
County, Arizona and Imperial County, California.

The CRCF will hear about how the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 4 has affected the
irrigation infrastructure in the region. Mike Campbell, Chief Administrative Officer of the
Imperial Irrigation District, will discuss the impacts in Imperial County, including damage to the
All-American Canal siphon at the New River. Engineer Carlos Robles Van Dyck with Mexico’s
National Water Commission (Conagua) will give a presentation about damage to infrastructure in
Irrigation District 014, which includes the Mexicali and San Luis Valleys. The quake caused
damage to canals, drains, and water systems for communities located in the south and
southwestern parts of Irrigation District 014, covering an area of more than 150,000 acres. He will
also discuss emergency measures undertaken to respond to the disaster.

Ongoing water quality sampling of the New River near the international boundary will be
discussed by Carlos Peña, USIBWC Principal Engineer, and Jose Angel, Assistant Executive
Officer of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 7. Pollution in the river,
which flows north from Mexico into the United States, has been an ongoing problem. Recent infrastructure improvements in Mexico have improved water quality but certain types of
contamination remain a concern.

In a related matter, staff from the Office of Congressman Bob Filner will give an update on
the Congressman’s New River Project, a proposal to improve conditions along the New River in
Calexico, California.

A complete meeting agenda follows. Members of the public who would like more
information about the meeting may contact the USIBWC’s Yuma Office at 928-782-1598 or
Public Affairs Officer Sally Spener at 915-832-4175 or via e-mail at: sally.spener@ibwc.gov.

Contact:
Sally Spener, 915-832-4175, sally.spener@ibwc.gov