The Plan includes desalination of Imperial Valley rivers, thus building on the concept originally proposed by U.S. Filter. There has been much criticism of current efforts to transfer water from the Imperial Valley to San Diego for not adequately addressing ecological and other needs at the Salton Sea. Filter proposed that restoration efforts be integrated with efforts to supply water to metropolitan Southern California. 

"U.S. Filter's concept generated a lot of excitement and interest in integrating water supply with Salton Sea restoration," said Board Chairman Andy Horne, a member of the Imperial Irrigation District Board.

The Plan incorporates U.S. Filter's concept of utilizing proceeds from desalinating rivers in the Imperial Valley to help fund improvements to the Salton Sea.