By Gary Polakovic,
Steve Medd and Stephen
Sedam-Stone
The Press-Enterprise, Serving
Riverside County, California
Special Report, January 3-10, 1993
Table of Contents
ABOUT THE
SERIES California's biggest lake is headed for ecological
collapse but no one seems to care. Created accidentally 90
years ago, it is a haven for recreationalists and wildlife.
But pollution, neglect and rising salinity are pushing the
sea to the brink. This reprint of a seven-part special
report which appeared in the Press-Enterprise Jan. 3 through
Jan. 10, 1993, explores the sea, its richness, its decline
and its possible salvation. Toxic pollution: It
is killing wildlife at the Salton sea. Without swift cleanup
of the poisons, especially DDT and selenium, the sea could
become a "super Kesterson," the San Joaquin Valley wildlife
refuge destroyed by pollution a decade ago. Selenium: A Necessity
Of Life But Not Too Much Or Too Little Salinity: Excess
salts and minerals are the greatest threat to wildlife and
overall health of the Salton Sea. Conservation efforts will
shrink the sea, and salt concentrations will dramatically
increase, fundamentally changing its ecology. Irrigation practices:
Agriculture is a major contributor to pollution
in the Salton Sea, yet little has been done to solve the
problem. Farmers generally do not believe they should be
held accountable. The New River: The
most polluted river in the United States empties into a
national wildlife refuge at the Salton Sea. But ghastly as
the New River is, biologists say the sea sorely needs the
"fresh" water it provides. Wildlife and Environmentalists:
The Salton Sea is a crucial link in the Pacific
Flyway, even more so in the aftermath of California wetlands
losses. Despite the sea's value to wildlife, environmental
groups pay almost no attention to it. Some People Say
Environmental Groups Aren't Getting Involved Economy: The Salton
Sea is an economic workhorse for the surrounding area, with
benefits that reach across southern California. Pollution
and its effects on wildlife are driving away tourists and
hurting local businesses. Solutions: Potential
solutions exist for problems at the Salton Sea, but many
obstacles stand in their way. Editorials Salton Sea
Team Gary Polakovic: Reporter Gary Polakovic, 34, has
covered the environment for the Press-Enterprise since
August 1987. He previously worked as the environmental
reporter for The Sun in San Bernardino and as a features
writer for the Record-Searchlight in Redding. He earned a
bachelor of science degree in specialized communications in
1984 from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona,
where he studied journalism, environmental science and
political science Polakovic spent four months preparing "Salton Sea,
Countdown to Collapse." He conducted 120 interviews, scaled
a small mountain of scientific papers and government studies
and spent many days conversing with people at the sea. Steve Medd: Photographer Steve Medd, 37, has been
on The Press-Enterprise staff since August 1990, working
primarily in the Coachella Valley area. Before joining The
Press-Enterprise he was chief photographer at The Desert Sun
in palm Springs. Medd is president of the California Press
Photographers Association. Medd has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from
California State University, Northridge, and a bachelor of
social work degree from Temple University in
Philadelphia. Stephen Sedam-Stone: Graphic artist Stephen
Sedam-Stone, 29, has been with The Press-Enterprise since
January 1990. He previously worked in the Bay area as design
director fo the Palo Alto Weekly. Sedam-Stone received a bachelor of fine arts degree from
the University of Iowa in 1985. He is an avid bird-watcher
and wild-life painter and has britten and illustrated
articles on bird-watching for the Palo Alto Weekly and The
Press-Enterprise. ® Salton Sea Series Editor: David Rush, regional
editor ® Reprint Design and Production: Richard fisher,
deputy features editor
