Settler Sea: California's Salton Sea and the Consequences of Colonialism

The Salton Sea is a wetland in a desert, a wildlife refuge that poisons birds, and a body of water in which fish suffocate. Traci Brynne Voyless' history of the Salton Sea examines how settler colonialism restructures physical environments in ways that further Indigenous dispossession, racial capitalism, and degradation of the natural world. It is considered a looming environmental disaster and is at the often-contested intersections of the sovereign lands of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuillas and the state of California.

Format: Hardback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The 2022 WHA Caughey Western History Prize was awarded to Traci Brynne Voyless for her outstanding book on the American West, titled "The Settler Sea." This captivating work delves into the complex and often contradictory nature of the Salton Sea, a wetland situated in a desert, a wildlife refuge that poses a threat to birds, and a body of water where fish struggle to survive. Through a thorough historical analysis, Voyless explores how settler colonialism actively reshapes physical environments, perpetuating Indigenous dispossession, racial capitalism, and the degradation of the natural world. In essence, "The Settler Sea" poses the profound question of how settler colonialism harnesses nature to serve the interests of settlers.

The Salton Sea, located in Southern California, is the largest inland body of water in the region, spanning the space between the fertile agricultural farmland of the Imperial Valley and the arid desert known as "Americas Sahara." Situated near the border between the United States and Mexico, the sea is at the intersection of the sovereign lands of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuillas and the state of California, where it has faced numerous challenges and controversies.

Created in 1905 as a result of overflow from the Colorado River, which was combined with a poorly constructed irrigation system, the Salton Sea was initially intended to be a source of irrigation for the surrounding farmland. However, the sea's precarious existence has always been tied to the complex interplay between human and natural influences. It exists in the interstices of desert and wetland, between the relentless pull of the sun and the constant influx of polluted water. This unique positioning serves as both a symptom and a symbol of the broader precariousness of settler relationships to the environment, both in the West and beyond.

In her innovative exploration of the Salton Sea, Voyles seeks to uncover the ways in which the sea, its origins, and its role in human life have been essential to the people who call this place home. Through meticulous research and a deep understanding of the region's history, she sheds light on the complex dynamics that have shaped the Salton Sea and its surrounding communities. Voyles explores the historical processes that led to the creation of the sea, including the political and economic interests that drove its development and the environmental consequences that have followed. She also examines the cultural significance of the sea, highlighting the ways in which it has been celebrated, mourned, and used as a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians.

Furthermore, Voyles delves into the ongoing struggles of the people who live and work in the Salton Sea region. She highlights the health risks associated with the sea's pollution, the challenges faced by the local wildlife, and the economic hardships faced by the communities that rely on the sea for their livelihood. Through her powerful storytelling, Voyles brings to life the human dimension of the Salton Sea's challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions and the importance of preserving this unique and fragile ecosystem.

"The Settler Sea" is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the history and environmental challenges of the American West. Through its innovative exploration of the Salton Sea, Voyles challenges us to think critically about the ways in which settler colonialism has shaped our natural world and the ongoing struggles of the communities that inhabit it. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the American West and the urgent need for environmental justice and sustainability.

Weight: 748g
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496216731