Senior Researcher
Pacific Institute
Bio:
Since 1998, Michael Cohen’s work with the Pacific Institute has focused on water use in the Colorado River basin and delta region and the management and revitalization of the Salton Sea ecosystem. Michael received a B.A. in Government from Cornell University and has a Master’s degree in Geography, with a concentration in Resources and Environmental Quality, from San Diego State University.
Title: Lessons from the Salton Sea
Abstract: Decreasing inflows have caused the Salton Sea to shrink by 48 square miles and its surface to drop by 11.5 feet in the past 21 years, increasing dust emissions in the region and impairing public health and the ecosystem. California has completed less than 25% of the habitat and dust suppression projects required to date despite hundreds of millions of dollars of investments and years of effort. What lessons learned from the Salton Sea can be applied to the challenges at Great Salt Lake?