Solution For Blowing Sand, Dust Sought For Coachella Valley Residents

PALM DESERT, CA — With more bad air quality days than good in recent weeks, the South Coast Air Quality Management District planned a Palm Desert summit, where they would dish on Coachella Valley's issues with blowing sand and dust, the agency announced Thursday.

Next week, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who serves as governing board member of the SCAQMD, will provide opening remarks for the event at the 6 p.m. meeting at UC Riverside Palm Desert Center campus.

Staff from the SCAQMD, California Air Resources Board, Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Coachella Valley Conservation Commission, Riverside University Health System, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and UC Riverside would also attend, according to a prepared statement.

"We all agree that dust is a major concern for the residents living in Riverside County," said Perez, "This summit will bring together government, public health, and researchers to discuss windblown dust in the Coachella Valley, its health implications and explore potential solutions to address this important issue."

The panel discussion will also include a Q&A session with the audience.

Residents can go to the South Coast AQMD's Instagram page at @southcoastaqmd to find out more information or attend virtually at scaqmd.zoom.us/j/95444669685.