U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Launches NEPA and Permitting Process for Salton Sea Management Program Phase I: 10-Year Plan

Salton Sea Management Program Update – March 23, 2021

Also: Recruiting for Program Manager

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District (Corps) released a Public Notice today that initiates the Corps’ National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for authorizing projects proposed by the Salton Sea Management Program Phase I: 10-year Plan. The Public Notice provides information on how to submit written comments, and may be viewed in both English and Spanish language versions at the website:

https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/2540379/spl-2019-00951-kjd-salton-sea-management-program-ssmp-10-year-plan-projects-pro/

The Corps Public Notice describes the draft project description as addressing the 29,800 acres of habitat and dust suppression projects identified in the SSMP Phase I: 10-year Plan, including several proposed projects such as the North Lake Demonstration Project, a larger North Lake concept, the Desert Shores Channel Restoration Project, the Audubon Wetland Restoration Project, as well as a Watershed Plan component, and Dust Suppression Action Plan projects. At least 14,900 acres of SSMP 10-year Plan projects would be aquatic habitat restoration projects that convert exposed lakebed to either pond habitat suitable for fish and wildlife or to wetland habitats. Dust suppression projects would address fugitive dust emissions but may also have habitat benefits.  Many of the projects under consideration would require Federal agency authorizations, including permits from the Corps. 

The Corps is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA review process related to its permitting authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.  The Corps invited other Federal agencies to participate as cooperating agencies in the preparation of an environmental assessment. To provide comments or request additional information, please follow the link above to the Corps public notice for further instructions.

Last fall, the SSMP team hosted three public workshops and a 30-day written comment period to solicit input to inform a revised project description, which was in turn submitted to the Corps to initiate the NEPA process.  Any prior comments received during the State’s public review, along with the current updated draft project description can be found at the SSMP website at https://saltonsea.ca.gov/planning/ssmp-draft-description-project/.

The Corps anticipates releasing its draft NEPA document for public review and comment this summer.

Recruiting Program Manager

The California Natural Resources Agency is seeking a Program Manager II, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Management Program to be located in Riverside County.

The final filing date for the position is March 25, 2021.

Find details about the position at [deleted].

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SSMP Annual Report Submitted to State Water Board

Salton Sea Management Program Update – March 5, 2021

Also: Recruiting Program Manager for SSMP; SSMP Team Welcomes a New Team Member

The California Natural Resources Agency has submitted its Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) to the State Water Resources Control Board. The report and the status of the SSMP will be the focus of a March 17 public workshop convened by the State Water Board. The workshop begins at 2 p.m.

The report summarizes progress in 2020 toward reducing exposed lakebed and creating habitat at the Salton Sea. Highlights include completing 755 acres of interim dust suppression projects and launching construction of the state’s first large-scale project to create habitat and cover exposed lakebed – the 4,110-acre Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project along the south shore of the Salton Sea.

The SCH, enabled by land access and water use agreements with the Imperial Irrigation District, will create a network of ponds with islands and areas of varying water depths to provide important fish and bird habitat and suppress dust emissions to improve regional air quality as the Salton Sea recedes.

The report also looks forward to upcoming projects and milestones, including work to evaluate the feasibility of water importation as a long-term strategy for restoration of the Salton Sea.

Since California is not a significant landowner in the region, collaboration with land-owning entities is critical to future projects. As a result, the SSMP is prioritizing work to secure land access to construct additional projects in strategic locations along the perimeter of the Salton Sea.

Recruiting Program Manager for SSMP

The SSMP is opening the hiring process for another new position. Through the California Department of Water Resources, the SSMP is seeking a program manager to be located at the Salton Sea. Before applying to the upcoming position, interested parties must pass the Program Manager 1 exam by following the instructions included in the exam bulletin [deleted]. The cut-off date for the exam is March 31 at 4:30 p.m. Please contact Selection Services with any questions, (916) 653-4838.

SSMP Team Welcomes a New Team Member

The SSMP has added a new team member with Jerald Kellum, who will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Technician with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He is based out of the Imperial Wildlife Area in Imperial County.

Kellum is a Marine Corps veteran, who completed two combat deployments in Iraq.

He worked with Caltrans in the San Diego and Imperial Valley desert region as a highway worker and equipment operator for more than a decade.

Kellum holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and is currently working on a master’s degree.

With expanded staffing, and the expected addition of more positions in 2021, the SSMP team is building capacity to meet the growing demands of existing projects and those planned for the future.

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