What is lost in size by dividing the Sea into two will be picked up in quality as a result of reduced salinity, greatly expanded shallow water wetlands and habitat, improvements to the New and Alamo River inflows via reduced nutrient inflows, and other plan features.
"This concept, brought forward by Congresswoman Mary Bono and others, puts all the pieces together at a much more affordable cost than we've ever seen before," said Authority Board Chairman Andy Horne.
"Unlike some of the more narrowly targeted suggestions that have been put forward, the project we are proposing accomplishes the broad environmental and economic goals that were first established by the Authority and federal law when this process began," he said.
Horne, a member of the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors, noted that action to identify a specific project came less than 18 months from the date when the Authority stepped forward to take the lead in the restoration effort.
The Authority has now turned its focus to working with the state and federal government to align objectives, define joint work programs and identify funding to implement the project.
The project has been presented to the state Salton Sea Advisory Committee established by the Department of Water Resources to review restoration alternatives.
The Salton Sea Authority is proposing to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state and the federal government to complete the project.
The Salton Sea Authority is a joint powers agency made up of the Imperial and Riverside counties as well as the Imperial Irrigation District, the Coachella Valley Water District and the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe.
The Salton Sea Authority voted in January 2003 to jump-start the Salton Sea Restoration effort by retaining its own engineers and designers to help design a restoration plan.
The project that was approved April 22 is a product of that effort. It takes into account the substantially reduced inflows created by water transfers and other factors.
The series of shallow water wetlands areas in the southern portion of the current lake would became habitat for fish and the many bird species that populate the lake.
An Outdoor Recreation Committee, consisting of local Salton Sea enthusiasts and experts, is currently developing a series of recreational recommendations. Their findings will be presented to the Authority board in June.
"I am thrilled that the Authority has stepped up to take the lead on this," said Committee Chair Lea Anne O'Malley Miller, a member of the Calipatria City Council.
"This plan will allow the Sea to realize its potential and will help spark economic development that is so drastically needed in our region," she said. "Most importantly, it will allow the Sea to remain a viable resource for agricultural, environmental and recreational uses."
