Lithium constituents should have a means of recourse once mining ceases

I live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. and have done so since I retired from the California Department of Corrections. I was a member of the activation team for Calipatria State Prison; my wife and I lived in Niland. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. Before World War II and when young, I lived and went to school in Mecca when my father worked on the All-American and Coachella Valley Canals for Shea Construction. We all swam, boated and fished the Salton Sea. I am writing to thank you for Janet Wilson's Nov. 18 article on the California Lithium Valley Commission. 

One important item that I have not seen mentioned is an impound account established by the government to require any company, foreign or domestic, that mines, processes or otherwise participates in the lithium industry in the Imperial Valley (Lithium Valley?) to contribute a percentage of their proceeds to a common fund to restore the area to a pristine condition once mining and manufacturing ceases. Just like coal mines, oil well drilling and many other industries across the U.S. that have just closed up and left an area essentially destroyed with no recourse for contaminated and deadly soil conditions.

Cole Heideman, Lake Havasu City, Arizona