REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant

Proposal

ABSTRACT
Continued evaporation and increased wash of
toxic pollutants in the Salton Sea has resulted in
a community health crisis for residents near the
lake. Imperial County has one of the highest
asthma incidence rates due to large populations
of El Centro residents living near the Salton Sea
and poor air quality in the area. The Resurrected
Environmental Protection Agency is requesting a
grant to address community health needs and
reestablish the natural environment through
collaborative efforts with key community
activists and existing foundations that have been
tirelessly working to improve health outcomes
among residents in Imperial County. Our staff of
highly educated individuals in biological and
environmental sciences have developed
innovative technologies that can aid in cleanup
RESURRECTED efforts. Additionally, our health specialists and
educators have developed educational materials
ENVIRONMENTAL to improve community participation in
sustainable practices and asthma prevention.
Through this 3-year grant funded project we aim
PROTECTION AGENCY to reduce asthma incidence rates by 5%, reduce
toxic run-off by 35%, reduce Salton Sea toxicity
(REPA) by 60%, reestablish natural environmental
Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal growth by 40% and have provided educational
outreach on sustainability farming practices and
March 8, 2018 asthma risk prevention to 40,232 residents of El
Centro located in Imperial County.
Olu Teiko, RN, PhN Loren Landeros BS, RDN,
MPH(c), Pooneh Navab, MPH, Keely Niemeyer
BS, RDN, MPH(c), Alexa Reyes, BS, MPH(c)
California State University, San Bernardino
(CSUSB) Department of Health Sciences
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 1

January 18, 2018

3500 Cook Street

Palm Desert, CA, 92211

Attn: John Smith

Re: Environmental Cleanup Letter of Intent

Dear: Mr. Smith

The Resurrected Environmental Protection Agency (REPA) would like to express its interest in
the forthcoming allocations from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for
Funding of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for Salton Sea Environmental
Cleanup. This letter is to inform you of our intention to submit the Environmental Cleanup Grant
to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The REPA has more than five years of experience in providing services to the residents of
Imperial County. Currently, the REPA administers several grant funded programs including
Community Action for Renewed Environment (CARE) which has implemented procedures in
reducing toxic waste in the City of El Centro to immobilize petroleum leaks within the cities
brownfields. REPA has also ascertained the Environmental Education Grant, which has
provided education in the Elementary, Middle, and High School settings on the importance of a
greener living and contributions that can be made in early youth that can impact future
generations. It has made vast improvements in reducing toxic materials, provided community
education to reduce the carbon footprint, and providing lead poisoning awareness within
Riverside and Imperial Valley Counties.

According to a study conducted by the California Audubon Society, in 15 years 40% of the water
currently flowing into the Salton Sea will be lost. This can create sediments that attach
themselves to dry winds capable of causing serious respiratory illnesses. A study focused on
the health of children living near the Salton Sea was conducted by the University of Southern
California Keck School of Medicine. This study found that 30% of the family who participated
had children diagnosed with asthma as compared to 8% of similar age group in other areas of
California. Children in the Salton Sea area already face health disparities as these communities
are among the lowest income in California. At REPA, we strive to bridge that gap. As a nonprofit
organization, we recognize our responsibility in improving and working to provide a cleaner,
safer air quality for the children in our community.

Also, the ecosystem of the Salton Sea is affected by environmental pollution from the nutrient-
rich agricultural runoff entering the water. This eutrophication of the sea, caused by excess
industrial nitrogen and phosphorus, allows for dense growth of plant life or algal bloom, which
reduces the oxygen available to only the first inch of surface water. Thus, fish and animals die,
and their decomposition causes additional nutrient cycle overload to the body of water. The
decomposed fish that are infected with botulism bacterium, because of the water’s anaerobic
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 2

state, will float to the top of the surface. Birds that inhabit the sea, consume the infected fish and
will also die causing a ripple effect on the Salton Sea ecology. REPA’s mission is to protect the
water, land, and air quality of the biosphere for humans and animals. We plan to educate the
Imperial Valley farmers, ranchers, and the community on how to reduce erosion and
sedimentation using management techniques that control the volume and flow rate of runoff
water, maintain the soil in place, and decrease soil transport.

REPA will be responsible for administering the day-to-day fiscal and administrative oversight
and accountability of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Regional
Conservation Partnership Grant. It is understood that the first year of funding is reported as 2.35
million with an on-going annual funding of 2.67 million. Upon submission, a USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service form will provide detailed information for review and evaluation
by the first date of submission acceptance, January 25th, 2018, or within the noted time frame
for submission.

We are currently interested in providing these Regional Conservation Partnership Grant

services and would like to be kept notified of any modifications or updates related to this funding
opportunity.

Respectfully,

Andrea Rainey
Senior Vice President
Resurrected Environmental Protection Agency (REPA)
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 3

Table of Contents

Specific Aims………………………………………………………………………………..…….4

Target Population ……………………………………………………………………………...….6

Approaches and Methods………………………………………………………………………….9

Program Evaluation Plan …………………………………………………………………..……12

Agency Capacity …………………………………………………………………….…………..15

Community Support …………………………………………………………………..…………16

Appendices ………………………………………………………………………..……………..18

Project Management …………………………………………………………………….………21

Budget and Budget Justification…………………………………………………………………22

References …………………………………………………………………………...…………..36
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 4

Specific Aims

Description and Summary

The Salton Sea is a complex ecosystem that requires a multi-systems approach for its
sustainability and the protection of its surrounding communities’ public health. The sea is the
largest lake in the State of California, with a surface area of 343 square miles and a shoreline of
110 miles, created by an accidental breach from the Colorado River between 1905-1907 (Salton
Sea Authority, 2017). It receives continuous inflow of agricultural run-off from three rivers,
Alamo, New, and Whitewater (Salton Sea Authority, 2017). The United States Geological
Survey’s Pesticide Fate Research Group has been researching and monitoring the transport of the
pesticides into the Salton Sea and has documented the presence of currently used and legacy
pesticides in the waters, suspended sediments, bed lakes, and in the three rivers that flow into the
Salton Sea (U.S. Geological Survey, 2008). In fact, pesticide concentrations were found to be
greater in the Alamo River than the New and the Whitewater Rivers, and generally greater in the
rivers than in the Salton Sea itself (U.S. Geological Survey, 2008). The agricultural pollution has
impacted the ecosystem of the sea, causing eutrophic conditions that allows dense growth of
plant life or algal bloom, which reduces the oxygen available to only the first inch of surface
water (Setmire et al., 2000). This causes the fish and animals to die and their decomposition
causes additional nutrient cycle overload to the body of water. The decomposed fish that are
infected with botulism bacterium, because of the water’s anaerobic state, will float to the top of
the surface, and birds that inhabit the sea consume the infected fish and will also die causing a
ripple effect on the Salton Sea ecology (Setmire et al., 2000). Added to this environmental insult
is the daily transfer of the Salton Sea water to San Diego County that diminishes the water and
continues the exposure of the dry playa and its harmful chemicals as air dust to the residents
(Cantor, 2016). See map in appendices.

Needs/Problems
The Salton Sea was an important resource for the people that live and work in Imperial
county and the city of El Centro. It was essential for people and wildlife as a water source for farm
and recreation. Its ecosystem has been steadily deteriorating demonstrated by the drying seabed
and the deaths of numerous fish and birds. This has resulted in polluted air in a part of California
rated as having some of the poorest air quality in the nation (James & Roth, 2017). Dirt from
farmland, toxic dust from dry seabed and retreating shores of the Salton Sea is now creating health
risks to humans. El Centro is one of the major cities impacted by the changes in the Salton Sea.

A comprehensive approach is needed to address these issues that prevents the Salton Sea
from functioning to its maximum capacity and meeting the needs of its community. Resurrected
Environmental Protection Agency focus will be to assist in the cleanup process, removal of dead
bird and fish carcasses, decomposing algae and other disease-causing debris. We will also address
some community health needs brought on by air pollution from the Salton Sea such as asthma
prevention and care. Immediate financial resources are required to embark on this project. Good
air quality for safe outdoor activities for residents is urgently needed.

Problems that that have plagued these communities in the last decade include: economic
loss from people leaving the area, loss of important wildlife habitat, poor air and water quality,
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 5

and sediment capable of causing serious respiratory illnesses like asthma that can travel up to 100
miles once airborne (James & Roth, 2017). Without immediate effective intervention, the
community will continue to decline resulting in debilitating respiratory illnesses and devastating
economic loss.

Working Hypothesis
Upon completion of the Resurrected Environmental Protection Agency (REPA) plan and
intervention, the community will have cleaner seashore as evidenced by less debris, fewer asthma
diagnoses and reduced respiratory complications.

Literature Review
The ecological fragility of the Salton Sea, which supports 400 or two-thirds of the bird
species nesting habitats in the Continental U.S. (Salton Sea Authority, 2017), will become even
more pronounced in Imperial and Riverside Counties in 2018 and beyond, when water transfer
from the lake from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) will increase to San Diego County for its
urban water supply (San Diego County Water Authority, 2016). This agreement was part of
Qualification Settlement Agreement (QSA) of 2003, in which San Diego County Water
Authority promised to pay for the water to Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and in return they
would pay local farmers to follow irrigation efficiency techniques (Cantor, 2016). This QSA
agreement was supposed to accompany a mitigation restoration plan that would add extra water
to the Salton Sea until the end of 2017. Because of the 2008-2009 Great Recession, the
restoration plan was never fully implemented, and the lake continued to dry up and evaporate,
with little water mitigation (Cantor, 2016). Hence, as it has become more apparent in these past
15 years, these following procedures have decreased inflow and water to the Salton Sea, which
has resulted in wildlife and natural ecosystem damages, and poor air quality for mammals
residing in the vicinity (Cantor, 2016).

The deterioration of the Salton Sea exposed lake bed and playa will impose a grave threat
to the region’s air quality and human respiratory health. Currently, asthma-related emergency
room rates for children 5-17 years of age is much higher in Imperial County at 154 per 10,000
compared to the State of California at 73.8 per 10,000 (California Environmental Health
Tracking Program, 2015). There are 12,000 children diagnosed with asthma in Imperial County,
and because of the perpetual environmental insults to the Salton Sea, the situation will likely to
get worse soon or until more short and long-term solutions are put in place (Agha, 2017). In fact,
a study published in 2017 examined elemental sulfur, the most heavily used pesticide in
California farmlands, and its link to more asthma-related symptoms and medications in children
living approximately a half-mile from farms (University of California-Berkeley, 2017); the
research participants were enrolled in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and
Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS), which is a longitudinal birth cohort study examining
pesticides and environmental toxin exposures in children living in agricultural cities. The study
found a dose-response association with a 10-fold increase in sulfur application used within 1
kilometer of a child’s residence and a 3.5-fold increased odd in asthma medications used
(University of California-Berkeley, 2017).

These alarming statistics are now garnering more attention from Sacramento. The
California State lawmakers proposed a 10-year plan, to begin in late 2018, called the Salton Sea
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 6

Management Program to mitigate dust control and creation of wildlife habitat around the damaged
perimeters of the sea (Agha, 2017). The increase in windblown dust and small particulate matter
that can penetrate deep in lungs are especially harmful to children with developing lungs, the
elderly, people who work outdoors, and those with chronic and immunocompromised systems
(Agha, 2017). It also prevents people of all age groups, especially those with respiratory problems,
to be physically active outdoors, which increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular
diseases in society over time (Nasser et. al, 2015; University of Southern California, 2017; Reuters,
2016).

Moreover, the Salton Sea deterioration is not the only reason for the poor air quality and
high respiratory disease incidence and prevalence in the region. For instance, border traffic,
pesticides from commercial farms, heavy winds and desert heat, and the lack of primary care
medical providers exasperates the situation and the public’s poor health (Agha, 2017). This health
disparity is also impacted by the county’s high rate of poverty and the lowest per capita income
for the entire State of California (Agha, 2017). This can also be an environmental justice issue
because of the lack of political will associated with a mostly poor and Latino community (Cantor,
2016).

Nevertheless, if short and long-term interventions are not implemented soon, these gaps in
improving the environmental and human health of the communities of Salton Sea will become
extremely costly and irreversible. Agriculture management techniques using non-harmful
methods, such as fluorescent pesticide tracers and oyster mushrooms, can be used to see
dissemination patterns and as pesticide bioremediation agents respectively (Cohen et al., 2002)
(EcoWatch, n.d.). Also, working with local medical/mobile clinics and hospitals to hire more
pulmonary specialist and emergency room physicians that are cognizant of the respiratory
problems specific to the area will enhance capacity building in the community (Marshall, 2017).

Target Population

Healthy People 2010 has identified there are 22 per 10,000 hospitalizations for asthma in
Imperial County, which reflects the same incidence rate as the State of California (Office of
Statewide Health Planning and Development, 2014). There is approximately 17% of children
under the age of 14 and 11% of adults that are diagnosed with asthma. According to the Air
Resource Board, California’s poor air quality in Imperial County continues to be a contributing
factor in the rise of asthma incidence (Air Resource Board, 2017). REPA as a non-profit
organization, recognizes it has a responsibility to provide education to the residence of Imperial
County. Considering Salton Sea Recession issues, playa exposure has increased particulate
matter in the air near surrounding communities such as El Centro. Therefore, REPA plans to
assist in environmental cleanup, screening and educational support to El Centro residents, to
alleviate and reduce overall asthma incidences. Additionally, we plan to encourage residents to
collaborate and help protect against the 24 tons per day of particulate matter (PM10 and PM 2.5)
and Ozone in the environment’s air through cleanup efforts and green sustainability practices
(California Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality, 2017 & Asthma Report 2008 n.d., 2008).
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 7

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011-2015, the
population for Imperial County was approximately 178,206. In the breakdown of the various
races within the populations of Imperial County, the largest is Hispanic and Latinos with
145,855, second largest is White race with 22,437, followed by the third largest race is Black at
4,530 individuals. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2012-2016, it was reported
that 67% of Imperial County residents had at least a high school degree while only 14% had a
bachelor’s degree. As of 2012-2016, there was approximately 12,532 households within
Imperial County with a median household income of $41,849 and the per capita income of
$18,172. Furthermore, there are 59.18% of children and 51.89% of adults living below 200% of
the Federal Poverty Level (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-15). Additionally, as of 2014 the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services has determined that there are 22.34 primary care
physicians per 100,000 population.

Goals/Outcomes
REPA, will work in conjunction with the Salton Sea Authority joint project and the
Torres Martinez tribe to help improve the overall health quality of this region. REPA plans to do
so through the cleanup of dead animal carcasses at the Salton Sea shore line near the Imperial
County region. The aim is to ultimately reduce particulate matter from 24 tons to 20 tons per day
within the three-year period for the city of El Centro in Imperial County, which in turn would
improve the overall health of residents while decreasing asthma incidences and episodes. In
addition, education on the importance of preserving the Salton Sea, its impacts on the overall
quality of life and health will also be provided in conjunction with medical services/intervention.
This project has a successful history in making progress in the Salton Sea restoration. REPA’s
goal is to continue restoring the Salton Sea while improving quality of life for all its inhabitants
in the next years to come. It is understood that to provide efficient services without any overlap
in funding, the agencies would collaborate in a cost-effective manner. Each year of funding for
REPA is said to be 2.67 million per year for the three years of grant funding.

There is a lack of primary care physicians in Imperial County to aid in treatment for
newly diagnosed asthma conditions in children and adults. In addition, the high rate of poverty
within the communities hinders residents within the communities to seek medical attention
causing a spike in hospitalization rates. Due to high poverty rates and inaccessible primary care
physicians/hospitals a program that addresses preventive care as well as asthma treatment is of
great importance. REPA plans to deliver these services for the next 3 years. The statistics assist
in clarification of the increasing rates of asthma and hospitalization incidences in response to the
concentrated toxic emissions that impact the particulate matter and Ozone in the environment.
Statistical analysis shows that the increase of asthma incidences may be correlated with poor
quality air exposure. As a result, Imperial Counties youth are limited to outdoor activities like
attending school, being physically active, and engaging in social groups. Likewise, asthmatic
adults may also experience limitations such as not being able to work well in positions that
require outdoor exposure. Thus, they are limited to certain job that are not providing the financial
stability to support themselves or their families. Salton Sea’s toxic waste emissions may be the
underlying reason as to why Imperial County has a high morbidity rate due to asthma. Such
limitations are correlated with increase in low proficiency, income and economy levels in the
Imperial County region.
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 8

REPA has all-encompassing experience of facilitating education to communities within

Imperial and Riverside County for over 5 years. Furthermore, REPA has extensive knowledge
and experience in reducing toxic waste emissions from brown stones in El Centro, Ca. We have
also provided community awareness programs through interventions at the elementary, middle,
and high school levels on how to practice greener living and reducing carbon footprint
throughout their life-span. Our community outreach program has had an enormous impact on the
environment in surrounding communities and will benefit future generations. REPA has
contributed to the considerable improvements in the reduction of toxic waste throughout Imperial
and Riverside County and continues participating in programs to aid in overall curtailing of
harmful pollutants. We have continued to be advocates for the communities bringing awareness
on lead poisoning and aiding in the overall reduction of lead exposure incidence throughout the
community. REPA will provide services for the cities encircling Imperial County residences.
Our community outreach program will be advantageous to the city of El Centro with a
population of 40,232. In the first year of funding we project we will positively impact
approximately 13,500 participants. For the remaining period of the project we make services
available to the 40,232 residences in El Centro; however, neighboring cities will not be excluded.

General Program Plan

Previous researchers have discovered that use of a public health approach to initiate
exposure prevention is key to intervention processes (Henry & Suk, 2016). From a public health
perspective, the continuous receding of the Salton Sea is potentially increasing asthma incidence
rates among residents in Imperial County. The best prevention strategy in this case would be
assessing exposure zones, continued cleaning and restoring the Salton Sea, and educating the
community on sustainable practices for maintenance after environmental cleanup has occurred
(Henry & Suk, 2016). REPA technologies will utilize grant funding to assess high risk zones to
begin cleanup and conduct asthma screenings and treatments using mobile vans and highly
educated working professionals. Findings from the screenings will be recorded and reassessed
upon completion of the environmental cleanup process.

According to Henry & Suk (2016), assessment through on site mobile vans enables
researchers to determine risk factors for higher concentrated contamination zones. Once higher
risk zones are determined, targeted education practices for reducing environmental exposure can
take place within the communities. Our goal at REPA is to assist the Salton Sea Joint Authority
Project in environmental cleanup practices using our sustainable, environmentally friendly
technologies that uses natural bacteria to destroy harmful bacteria in the Salton Sea environment.
REPA has worked closely with researchers and biologists on staff to develop similar bacteria that
has been used for oil spill cleanups (Biello, 2010) and oyster mushrooms (EcoWatch, n.d., para.
4). With pilot testing our technology shows promise in cleaning the toxic buildup currently
existing in the Salton Sea. Additionally, our HAZMAT staff, environmentalist/biologists,
research professional, statistician, microbiologist and consultants from government agencies will
collaborate to discover new technologies and methods to increase efficiency and reduce costs in
the cleanup process. Throughout the cleanup process, our staff nurse practitioner will assess and
treat asthma cases in conjunction with primary care providers while our staff veterinarian will
treat and assess the animals affected by the environmental pollution. The staff health educators
will work closely with the community outreach leader, linguist, interns, and agricultural workers
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 9

to provide the community with tips and tools for sustainable farm practices and exposure
prevention plans to reduce asthma symptoms and maintain the environment.

To implement the intervention strategies during environmental cleanup, community

volunteers will be involved in the process to discover the impact of non-sustainable practices on
the environment. Statistical analysis of asthma rates after cleanup conducted by our staff
statistician will help show the impact of environmental improvements on community asthma
rates to encourage community involvement on a continuous basis for maintenance of
environmental care. This implementation process will be based upon the Theory of Planned
Behavior because it is the educators goal to bridge the gap between individual belief in the need
for environmental protection and the behavior to maintain environment sustainability practices
among community members.

Upon completion of the 3-year cleanup process, data indicators can determine
environmental safety measures in and around the Salton Sea. Environmental improvements and
preservation of natural habitats will be measured through analysis and testing from HAZMAT
members and biologist assays. Data collected for the community health needs assessment will
reveal a reduction in asthma incidence rates because of the cleanup process. Educators will
conduct pre and posttest surveys to indicate knowledge attitudes and practices of community
members involved in the outreach educational programs and volunteers involved in the cleanup
process will be set into focus groups to determine next steps and self-efficacy of community
leaders to maintain sustainable agriculture practices.

Approaches and Methods

Project Goals
There are three goals REPA would like to accomplish. First, is to raise awareness for
asthma prevention among Imperial County residents and communities. There is approximately
28% of adults and children diagnosed with asthma in Imperial County according to Healthy
People, 2010. In comparison to the State of California, Imperial County has the same rates of
diagnosis as California. Consider little Estallah, a two-year old girl gasping for air as her lips
start to turn purple clinging to her mother Edna. Edna stated that Estellah had bouts of
uncontrollable cough as in Edna’s mind she kept thinking “at any moment my baby can stop
breathing” (Agha-Sacbee, 2017). You also, have Kaylee Pineda an elementary school child with
asthma who loves to play outside; however, is confined to the four walls of her home, classroom,
or office receiving asthma treatments when the air quality is poor (James, 2017). These young
children are not able to live a normal life and go outside and play with siblings or friends there
will always be concern for their breathing ability. There is 24 tons of particulate matter (PM10
and PM2.5) and ozone in the air daily, which impacts the residents of Imperial county and their
ability to have a good quality of life (California Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality, 2017,
Asthma Report, 2008). Imperial County residents and surrounding communities have an inherent
right to breathe nontoxic air that would inhibit them from the basic needs of life air, food, water,
and shelter.
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 10

Second, is to raise awareness on agricultural practices and toxicity levels in the Salton
Sea. According to Glen et al. (1999), a third of the food for the world comes from agriculture.
Agricultural farmers in 1999 contributed approximately 35% to the run-off from toxic material
such as salt, selenium, metals, and pesticide residue. (Glenn et al. 1999). Farmers depend on this
system to prevent accumulation of these material in the soil, which would damage the crops.
According to Polakovic, from the Press Enterprise a fellow farmer John Benson from Imperial
County stated that the purpose of the Salton Sea is to receive the agricultural drainage. There is
approximately 600,000 acres of farmland in Imperial County that divert the drainage to the
Salton Sea. The sea receives roughly 3,000,000 pounds of salt a year. The runoff from
agricultural farmers increases the salinity levels of Salton Sea, which creates a difficult
environment for fish to live and breed. These conditions impact the resident fish of the Salton
Sea, which in turn impact the birds, which feed on the fish.

Finally, our organization would like to provide individuals in Imperial County with
resources to maintain the environment after cleanup with sustainable green practices. REPA is
working very closely with scientists to construct bioremediations utilizing oyster mushrooms to
aid in the cleanup of the Salton Sea pesticides and other organic matter that is released into the
sea. Oyster mushrooms have been utilized to reduce pesticide levels in the banks of Sequoia
Creek. It has proven itself to demonstrate a great improvement due to the ability of the
mycelium of the oyster mushroom to breakdown oil, pesticides, and other harmful bacteria
(Beans, 2014). Additionally, employing new technologies of fluorescent tracer imaging
techniques to detect levels of pesticide residues on surfaces such as children’s skin. Methods
such as this would be advantageous in detecting pesticide residues on children, which would
benefit in limiting exposure to harmful pesticides that increase asthma incidences (Cohenhubal et
al., 2002).

Objectives
REPA will achieve its goals in Imperial County by the preceding objectives. First, upon
completion of the 1st year in the 3-year cleanup process, 32% of the 40,232 residents
surrounding the Salton Sea will show a reduction in asthma symptoms. In the second year of
cleanup, there will be 35% less of the runoff directed away from the Salton Sea. Lastly, upon
completion of the cleanup process, 60% of the toxicity in the Salton Sea will be removed and the
environment will show a 40% restoration. To accomplish the said objectives REPA will utilize
the Kotter’s 8 step change model (Kotter, 2017). REPA will demonstrate to our fellow partners
and residents the urgency of the Salton Sea cleanup and asthma prevention. Alliances will be
created with community leaders and fellow business partners to create a vision for change within
the community. Open communication will be maintained with community members and partners
on each of the biotechnological measures that will be taken in reduction of toxic waste in the
Salton Sea and processes in asthma incidence reduction. This will ensure the continued success
of restoration of the sea and asthma prevention after our 3-year intervention. Employing the
Kotter’s 8 step change model and maintaining commitment to the community members promotes
empowerment within the community.

Activities
REPA will engage in the following activities to aid in education in Imperial County
communities on methods for sustainable practices and asthma prevention and care. A public
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 11

service announcement presentation and talk radio will be shared and distributed throughout the
community to discuss involvement in environmental maintenance and progress through the
course of toxic remediation of the Salton Sea. To reach as many community members as possible
REPA will focus on educating community leaders and volunteers. Each volunteer will receive an
all-encompassing training on various air quality conditions, asthma conditions, agricultural
overflow methods, and prevention strategies. Advocates will also be trained on procedures for air
purifiers and asthma nebulizers. Our volunteers will be advocates for the community reaching
out to members and communicating the needs of the fellow residents. Community liaisons and
advocates will provide education on agricultural practices to maintain the Salton Sea
environment. Alternative green methods for agricultural practices will be provided to farmers
surrounding the Salton Sea. Advocates will work with individual farmers to aid in understanding
the importance of decreasing agricultural runoffs to the sea.

Community advocates will demonstrate determination to provide education to the

community members to actively partake in environmental maintenance. Green practice
technology will be the key focus of education to help restore conservation within the Salton Sea
natural inhabitants. Additionally, community members will be educated on how to thrive in
various air quality conditions and understand the differences on the particulate matters within the
air. Community advocates will provide training to community members on how to determine a
combination of air quality with particulate matter PM10, PM2.5, and ozone to help reduce the
respiratory conditions associated with poor air quality. REPA will provide access to resources to
aid in reviewing air quality alerts and the protocol on what to do in poor air quality conditions to
decrease asthma symptoms. REPA will employ the services of a nurse practitioner to ensure
medical screening and treatment services are provided to community members for treatment and
managing asthma conditions and respiratory illnesses. REPA will contribute in the
bioremediation and cleanup process. At the same time participate in collaboration with other
grant funded agencies in utilizing REPA’s green technology of employing mycelial network of
oyster mushrooms to remove toxic products and aid in restoration of the Salton Sea. REPA
utilizes the Diffusion of Innovation Theory which demonstrates that we are innovators willing to
take great strides in introducing new green environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible
practices to restore the sea’s ability to thrive and repopulate its natural species population.

Timeline
REPA timespan for the project is 3 years. Within the 3-year time frame REPA will have
provided intervention to 40,232 residents in El Centro and surrounding areas of Salton Sea.
There will be a 35% reduction of agricultural overflow that will be directed away from the Salton
Sea. Environmental restoration will demonstrate a 40% increase and a total of 60% removal of
toxic material through green bioremediation in the Salton Sea. Refer to appendices for timeline
organization details.
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 12

Program Evaluation Plan

The evaluation plan for REPA toxic remediation cleanup and asthma incidence reduction
will be applied at every step of the process. Program biologist, agriculturalist, environmentalist,
health educators, statisticians, and physicians, registered nurses will evaluate the effectiveness of
our programs on a quarterly basis (every three months). Reports will be collected on processes,
outcomes and overall impact within each program. Some of the programs will use statistical
analyses to measure change, outcomes, and impacts while others will use surveys to collect data.
Consultants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Health
Protection Agency (EPA), and National Institute of Health (NIH) will be our external evaluators.
This part of the evaluation process will be highly rigorous and researched based while assisting
in identifying the program's strengths as well as areas of improvements.

Environmental specialist, biologist, and agriculturalist working at the Salton Sea shore
line near Imperial County will be required to report every three months clean up processes.
Program effectiveness will be determined on the depletion of carcasses at the Salton Sea
shoreline, water contamination, runoffs. In addition, environmental improvements on the overall
quality of life and colonization of the Salton Sea animal and plant species will also be reported
for program effectiveness. Air quality changes in the region will be assessed on a weekly basis.
Average air quality will be reported on a quarterly basis and compared to surrounding cities.

Similarly, on a quarterly basis physicians and registered nurses will report Asthma
incidences, episodes and respiratory complications. This outcome-focused evaluation will
measure changes occurred in asthma incidences. The Office of Statewide Health Planning and
Development (OSHPD) software will be utilized to store medical records of all patients coming
into clinics or hospitals in the Imperial County region with asthma complications or incidences.
Researchers and statisticians will utilize this software to run qualitative analyses.
Qualitative/quantitative surveys will be developed and disseminated to all patients coming into
clinics and hospitals with asthma complications. This information will be a great tool to identify
areas of improvement as well as analyze if our programs are effectively improving quality of life
for all Imperial County residents. External evaluators from the CDC, EPA and NIH will oversee
this part of the program.

Our community-based program evaluation will be conducted by our researchers and

statisticians with the assistance of our public health educators. The public health educators will
be responsible for the developments of a mixed method (quantitative/qualitative) survey. Surveys
will be disseminated before and after educational interventions at different locations in Imperial
County. Educational information such as pamphlets, small booklets, and Public Service
Announcements (PSA) will be distributed and displayed during our interventions. The pre-post
surveys will have knowledge-based questions derived from the materials being provided and
open-ended questions for quality assurance. This part of our program evaluation will assist in
identifying if our interventions have increased knowledge on asthma treatment, care, and
prevention. In addition, the open-ended questions will allow us to see if Imperial County
residents are more aware of the changes occurring in their environment and what they can do to
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 13

make a difference. After a year of interventions our external evaluators from the CDC, EPA and
NIH will oversee this part of the program.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES:

Theoretical Framework
The REPA program is based on a multilevel ecological approach to behavior change
utilizing the Health Belief Model and Social Learning Theory (Jones, et.al., 2015; Bandura,
1988). It seeks to promote change at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community,
and policy levels. Daniel Stokol’s social ecological theory provides the framework for describing
how agricultural employer behavior is influenced by multiple factors at the levels (Stokols,
1996). These factors influence the agricultural workers knowledge of pesticide dangers to
himself/herself in the farm setting, his/her family members in the home setting, and in the
environment (biosphere), thus encouraging adherence to farming practices that reduce pesticides
runoff in the environment to the Salton Sea. Employer behavior regarding the provision of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the agricultural worker, adopting safe environmental
farming practices, and the observation of standards for pesticide safety for both the individual
and environment is likewise influenced by factors along multiple dimensions.

At the individual level, the Health Belief Model is utilized to influence agricultural
worker and employer behavior. Through the strategies and activities outlined below, it seeks to
increase perceived susceptibility to the dangers of pesticides to the individual and environment
and increase the perceived severity of pesticides as a threat. Additionally, it will increase the
cues to action such as training and knowledge of symptoms of asthma and pesticide poisoning
(See Appendix). These elements will increase the likelihood of behavior change.
At the individual employer level, the program seeks to increase employer’s perceived
susceptibility to the dangers of not complying with current regulations while increasing the
perceived benefits to them for complying with regulations. It will also increase cues to action
through employer training and increased knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations.
To address behavior modification and maintenance of positive behaviors at the interpersonal
level (among agricultural workers), the REPA program will integrate principles of the Social
Learning Theory. The training element of the program will address the behavioral capability of
the agricultural worker while building self-efficacy through observational learning and
reinforcement.

Changed employer behavior, will in turn effect change at the workplace (institutional)
level. The program will seek to build a stronger community environment for the agricultural
workers in the Salton Sea to live and work in (addressing the community level of the social
ecological model). Finally, it will seek policy change through advocating with other community
organizations to the State legislatures (policy level).

STRATEGY 1: RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY MEMBERS AWARENESS AND

BEHAVIOR CHANGE: (Targets Imperial County residents and communities):
Our program seeks to increase residents’ awareness of asthma symptoms, management,
and prevention.
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 14

Activities:
1. Awareness and curriculum development–a) Development of public service announcements,
radio talk shows, and billboards on major highways bringing attention to asthma symptoms,
incidence and prevalence in Imperial and Riverside Counties: i) utilizing an asthma mobile
screening van for proper diagnosis and care; ii) working with Emergency Room medical
providers and hospitals to recognize, treat, and refer patient’s asthmatic episodes to a medical
home for continued care; iii) utilization of air quality severity flag systems at primary and
secondary schools as asthma prevention methods b) Creation of a curriculum for training
community leaders, members, and volunteers on environmental promotion and sound
environmental management, such as an air quality conditions, asthma conditions, agricultural
overflow methods, and prevention strategies; c) Community liaisons and advocates will provide
EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) education on agricultural practices to maintain the
Salton Sea environment, such that non-toxic, green methods for agricultural practices will be
provided to farmers surrounding the Salton Sea; the community liaisons and advocates will work
with individual farmers/agricultural workers to aid in understanding the importance of
decreasing agricultural runoffs to the sea and to sustain the water quality and ecosystems for
future generations.
Rationale:
Increasing awareness between the connection of air, water, and soil quality and its impact
on respiratory health will work at the individual and interpersonal level. This strategy is based on
the Ecological model and Health Belief Model where the training can improve the individual’s
perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to
action, and self-efficacy and the community’s and organization’s (healthcare) capacity to address
the environmental and human health needs.

STRATEGY :2 AGRICULTURE EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR CHANGE: (Targets

agricultural worker):
Our program seeks to increase farmworker utilization of provided wash water, Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), and agricultural management skills that prevent run-off into the
environment through behavioral modification.
Activities:
1. Training – a) Gather information on pesticides currently used. b) Develop a curriculum
utilizing visual and participatory techniques that addresses: i) Pesticide exposure dangers and
their effect on human and environmental health). ii) Measures to be taken to avoid pesticide
exposure (use of PPE and signage). iii) Measures to be taken to rid skin and clothing from
pesticide residues (hand washing, bathing, washing clothes) to prevent residues in the home
environment. iv) Ways to recognize asthma and pesticide exposure symptoms, and where and
how to seek medical attention). v) How to file reports if standards are not being observed. vi)
Responsibilities of employer (legal rights of employees). c) Develop pre and post surveys
Rationale:
Improving PPE use and environmentally sound agricultural techniques through
innovative and culturally sensitive methods will change behavior and decrease pesticide
exposure to agricultural workers and their families. In utilizing the Ecological Approach, this
strategy is working at the intrapersonal level. This strategy is based on the Health Belief Model
where the training can improve the individual’s (agricultural workers) perceived susceptibility,
perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. By
REPA Salton Sea Environmental Cleanup Grant Proposal 15

increasing each component, the expectation is that the agricultural worker will utilize the PPE
and employ safe agricultural management techniques in the farm setting.

STRATEGY 3: EMPLOYER BEHAVIOR CHANGE: (Targets: Employers hiring

agricultural worker):
REPA aims to increase the percentage of employers who provide wash water as
mandated through California Code of Regulations (CCR), utilize environmentally safe
agricultural management techniques, and supply PPE that improve safety training through EPA
Worker Protection Safety (EPA WPS) standards (Environmental Protection Agency, 2018).
Activities:
1. Employer education – a) Obtain information about EPA WPS and CCR requirements.
b) Develop strategies for contacting/recruiting employers to participate in the
intervention. c) Assess employer’s knowledge of CCR and EPA WPS requirements. d)
Educate employers about their legal obligations under the CCR and EPA WPS standards.
2. Enforce requirements – a) Utilize employer’s knowledge or the lack of as a mechanism
for enforcement of existing standards. b) Provide incentives for employers who comply
with the standards.
Rationale:
REPA strives to increase pesticide exposure awareness to the farmworker, his/her family
members, and the Salton Sea environment through occupational safety training at work sites and
community settings using innovative and non-traditional intervention activities. Currently, the
amount and level of safety training provided to the agricultural farmworkers is not standardized
and/or non-enforced in farm work sites. EPA WPS requires that farmworkers and handlers of
pesticide products receive safety and environmental training using an EPA approved program,
video, and/or printed material by a certified Worker Protection Standard Trainer every five years
(EPA, 2017); however, most of the farmworkers (64%) noted that they had not received job
training or technical support on the proper use and safe handling of pesticides (Jallow et. al,
2017). The lack of implementation and enforcement of required state and federally mandated
training by employers and certified trainers contributes to problems working in hazardous and
toxic environments polluted with pesticide residues and drifts, especially to the Salton Sea
communities and its workers and residents.

Agency Capacity

REPA was established in 2008, its mission is to aid in safeguarding the environment by
ensuring that all its inhabitants (both humans and animals) have clean water, safe land, and good
air quality. The administrative office is in Palm Desert California. The agency provides a range
of environmental improvement services. REPA provides services to Imperial County and the
surrounding region. In 2013 REPA secured a $3,000,000 Environmental Education Grant to
educate school age children on environmental awareness and lifestyle.

The Directors reports to the President who reports to the Administrator. The Senior Vice
President manages incoming funds. The agency manages a 20-member staff and an annual
budget of about $15,000,000. The employees consist of 2 full time Environmentalists/Biologists,