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Planning commission approves IID conditional-use permit for Bombay Beach vegetation and irrigation wells
Summary
Imperial County approved Conditional Use Permit 25-0006, allowing conversion of three dewatered wells to irrigation wells to support roughly 85 acres of native vegetation at Bombay Beach, with staff noting a combined annual water allowance of up to 52 acre-feet and a daily average pumping rate of about 32 gpm; permit includes amended indemnification language and a 10-day appeal period.
The Imperial County Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 25-0006, allowing the Imperial Irrigation District to convert three previously approved dewatered wells into separate irrigation wells to support a vegetation project at Bombay Beach, staff said.
Staff presented the project and said it would irrigate about 85 acres of native, drought-tolerant species and raised seed beds intended to mitigate dust. Staff reported the permitted maximum average annual water supply for the three wells as 52 acre-feet per year, which staff said equates to a combined daily average pumping rate of roughly 32 gallons per minute for all three wells. Staff recommended approval with an addendum to the IID Water Conservation and Transfer Project EIR under the Government Code provision read into the record.
Jessica Humes, identifying herself as a representative of the Imperial Irrigation District, told commissioners IID had purchased parcels around the Salton Sea in the 1980s as the lake level rose. "We did purchase property around the Salton Sea as the sea was rising in the eighties," Humes said, explaining why the project’s vicinity map includes parcels extending toward the Salton Sea.
Commission discussion included clarification that staff would add the 52-acre-feet-per-year language to condition S1 and that indemnification language in condition G10 would be changed because IID is self-insured. A commissioner moved to approve the permit with those two modifications; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call with all present voting yes. Staff noted a 10-day appeal period.
A member of the public later asked whether property that is partially underwater remained subject to property tax; county staff said such properties generally remain subject to property tax but the specific assessment methodology was not clarified in the hearing and would be a matter for the assessor’s office.
