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Benefits of a Restored Salton Sea

The benefits of a restored Salton Sea will accrue to many – local landowners, farmers, bird enthusiasts, fishermen, environmental interests, tourism, economic development and recreational interests, and the nation as a whole.

In the 20th century, life at the SaltonSea saw many changes, A booming agricultural industry, supported by Colorado River water and a transcontinental railhead, transformed the barren desert. The ancient lake, once a bountiful resource for the natice peoples, was rebirn as the Salton Sea, created by natural disaster and sustained by irrigation runof. Todau, the Sea is still a bountiful oasis, supporting a diverse ecology and one of the most productive fisheries in the world.

Agriculture
Winter Breadbasket of the United States
Today, Imperial Valley's agricultural lands include over 572,286 acres; farmland in Coachella Valley covers about 56,600 acres. Control of the Colorado Canals made expansion of agricultural land possible, creating a billion-dollar industry in the Basin.

A frost-free climate with temperate seasons and dry summers allows for year-round crops, making the Valleys farmlands some of the most productive in the world. While most farming in the Midwestern corn belt of the United States comes to a halt during the winter, the Salton Basin continues to supply the nation with plentiful fruits and vegetables.
Recreational Hot Spot

The Salton Sea is within a 90-minute drive of 20 million people in Southern and Baja California. In the past four years, visitation at the Salton Sea has increased to an average of 250,000 a year.
New fishing jetties, a boat launch, harbor facilities, upgraded campgrounds, day use areas, more parking lots, expanded trails and visitor centers are planned. State Park visitor centers offer educational seminars, interpretive programs, kayak, and jet boat trips. The Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge offers another visitor center, trails, and some of the best birding opportunities at the Sea. Several private and public facilities are available for waterfowl hunting, including aged wetland habitats.