Dear Chairman Scott and Members of the Kw’tsàn Cultural Committee:
Thank you for your letter and for sharing your concerns regarding Supervisor John Hawk’s remarks. We recognize the disappointment these comments have caused and understand the impact they have had on the trust and relationships we have been working to build with the Quechan community.
On behalf of Imperial County, we sincerely apologize. We do not condone this language, and we recognize that it does not reflect the respect and consideration every community deserves from its elected leaders. We acknowledge the rich history, culture, and enduring contributions of the Quechan people, as well as the Tribe’s longstanding connection to its ancestral homelands. The concerns you have raised deserve to be heard and addressed with respect.
We acknowledge Supervisor Hawk for publicly apologizing and recognizing the impact of his remarks. While an apology is an important step, we recognize that rebuilding trust requires continued effort, accountability, and meaningful action. This is an important opportunity for all of us to reflect on the words we use, how they affect others, and our shared responsibility to foster respectful and inclusive communication.
Imperial County values its relationship with the Quechan Indian Tribe and recognizes the importance of strengthening communication and collaboration moving forward. We are committed to taking steps to improve how we engage with Tribal leadership and community representatives, particularly on issues affecting residents, Tribal interests, and ancestral lands. This includes taking steps to activate the Winterhaven Community Advisory Committee as a forum for ongoing communication, identifying community priorities, and working collaboratively toward solutions. We also ask the Tribe to designate a Tribal liaison to serve as a primary point of contact, helping facilitate consistent communication, coordinate discussions, and ensure concerns are brought forward and addressed in a timely manner.
We also want to provide an update on the bridge concerns that brought community members forward. According to the Imperial County Public Works Department, three bridges in the Winterhaven area are impacting residents: Arnold Bridge Road, Indian Rock Bridge, and Picacho Road Bridge. We recognize that these crossings are important to the community and that reliable access is essential to residents’ daily lives.
The County is pleased to report that both Arnold Bridge Road and Indian Rock Bridge are on schedule for repairs within the next two months. We understand the importance of addressing these needs and appreciate the community’s patience as this work moves forward.
The Picacho Road Bridge presents a more significant challenge. More than 100 years old, the bridge requires substantial investment to replace. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $8 million, making outside funding essential to moving the project forward. The County has applied for two grants, and both funding efforts are moving in a positive direction. In addition, we have reached out to our Assemblymember to seek support for this critical infrastructure project. Based on the current project schedule, the County anticipates completion of the Picacho Road Bridge replacement within approximately two years.
We recognize that these projects directly affect Winterhaven residents and that timely, transparent communication about progress is essential. We are committed to providing updates as repairs advance, funding decisions are made, and the Picacho Road Bridge replacement progresses. We welcome collaborative dialogue with Tribal representatives and affected residents to ensure that community concerns are heard, the committee is included in decisions and that information is shared consistently.
We also recognize the Kw’tsàn Cultural Committee’s continued advocacy for the protection of Quechan ancestral homelands and the lands, waters, plants, animals, and cultural places that are central to the Tribe’s identity and future generations. We understand the importance of the Protect Kw’tsàn Campaign and the Tribe’s efforts to preserve these resources and pass this cultural heritage on to its youth.
We welcome continued discussion regarding opportunities for collaboration and how the County can engage constructively with the Tribe on these important matters.
We hear your call for relationships built on mutual respect, meaningful inclusion, and accountability. Moving forward, our goal is to create opportunities for more consistent communication, engage the Tribe early on matters that may affect its community and ancestral homelands, and work together to address concerns before they become barriers to progress. We understand that trust is earned through actions over time, and we are committed to doing our part. We look forward to meeting with the Tribal leadership and Cultural Committee.
Thank you for bringing these concerns directly to us and for your continued commitment to the Quechan people and the broader community. We look forward to continued dialogue with Tribal leadership and the Kw’tsàn Cultural Committee and to taking meaningful steps toward a stronger, more respectful, and collaborative relationship.
Sincerely,
Peggy Price
Chairwoman
Imperial County Board of Supervisors