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Fred Cagle |
Tamarisk Grove Campground in Anza Borrego Desert State Park was the site of our 49th Annual
Meeting. A few people gathered Friday evening, October 17, but most arrived on the morning of Saturday October 18. It was a hot day so the thick shade provided by the Tamarisk trees was most welcome. Guests were Harriet Allen, Byron Anderson, Janet Anderson, Preston Arrowweed, Fred Cagle, Courtney Coyle, George Early, Carla Faulkner, Nick and Cathy Ervin, John Glascock, Gene House, Diane and Lowell Lindsay, Carmen Lucas, Phil Pryde, Helen Quintana, and Jay Von Werlhof.
Fred Cagle, a former DPC Board member, spoke to us about the current status of the Salton Sea , the Colorado River and its Delta, and the probable environmental impacts of the recently approved transfer of Colorado River water allotted to the Imperial Irrigation District to the San Diego Water Department. Fred has been very active in Salton Sea issues, having served on the Salton Sea Science Subcommittee for Audubon, and currently serving on the Water Transfer Conservation Task Force for the Sierra Club. Because of his long association with Salton Sea issues and the Colorado River and its Delta his knowledge of the environmental problems associated with these systems is extensive and his presentation was full of information.
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| Courtney Coyle |
Lunch under the shade of the Tamarisk trees was next on the agenda followed by the Annual Business Meeting.
Awards of Merit were presented to Courtney Coyle, Preston Arrowweed and Helena Quintana. Courtney Coyle is an environmental attorney well known for her work with Native American groups in their efforts to preserve and protect their sacred sites. Courtney, who was a member of the DPC Board for several years, brought us up to date on the Glamis Mine situation and told us about state legislative activities that are designed to help protect Native American sacred sites.
Award of Merit recipients Preston Arrowweed and Helena Quintana have worked through the local schools, colleges, and other groups to increase awareness of the Native American cultural and archeological resources of the southwestern United States . Preston currently serves on the BLM Desert District Advisory Council.
An Award of Merit was also given to Larry Klaasen for his longstanding efforts to preserve and protect the southwestern desert environment through education, monitoring of desert sites for improper uses, and restoration of native vegetation through removal of exotic species. Larry was unable to be with us on October 18 due to previous plans.
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Helena Quintana |
Preston Arrowweed
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Jay von Werlhof |
Jay von Werlhof, Director of the Imperial Valley College Desert Museum , was our final speaker, telling us about the history of the Imperial County region, including the many prehistoric forms of the present.
Salton Sea and the life styles that sea supported. Remains of the unusual fish traps that the local inhabitants developed to enhance their fishing results are of great interest to archeologists. Other archeological wonders present in Imperial County keep the local scientists busy and attract students from all over.
