SSMP e-Newsletter – May 2023

Upcoming Salton Sea Engagement Opportunities

REMINDER: State Water Board Salton Sea Workshop
set for May 16 & 17

The State Water Board will be holding its annual workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program on May 16, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and May 17, 2023, from 5:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.

The meeting will take place over two days and will provide live interpretation in Spanish, with multiple options for participation: 1) in-person at Imperial Valley College, 2) remote viewing at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, and 3) virtually via Zoom (to provide comment) or webcast (watch-only).

Every year, the California Natural Resources Agency provides an update to the State Water Board and interested parties on the progress that has been made on the Salton Sea Management Program. The workshop is an opportunity for participants to provide input to the State Water Board regarding the status of the Salton Sea Management Program. Input can be provided by submitting written comments in advance or providing oral comments on either day of the workshop.

Read the public notice and learn more about the Salton Sea and how to participate in the workshop at waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea. For questions about the workshop contact Stephanie Holstege at Stephanie.Holstege@waterboards.ca.gov.

CONFIRMED: Public Meetings for the
Imperial Streams Salton Sea and Tributaries Feasibility Study set for May 18

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Salton Sea Management Program and the Salton Sea Authority, are hosting two virtual public scoping meetings on May 18 to begin a new feasibility study.

Please join us in the upcoming Public Meetings. Both meetings will contain the same information. You can participate at the most convenient time.

When: Thursday, May 18, 2023. At 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Click here to join the meeting: https://bit.ly/SaltonSeaMeeting

Or Dial In: +1 (305) 224-1968

Facebook Live in Spanish will also be available at “Salton Sea COEE” page.

This study will aim to preserve or restore ecosystems of national significance; address an identified threat to public health, safety, or welfare and/or preserve or restore habitats of importance for federally protected species, including migratory birds; and ​contribute to other ongoing or planned federal, State, or local restoration initiatives.

The environmental analyses will take into consideration areas including but not limited to effects to the human environment, biological and cultural resources, Tribal resources and consultation, and California Natural Resources Agency consultation. At this initial phase of the study, a determination for the appropriate level of environmental documentation has yet to be established. Additional outreach and engagement will be scheduled after this initial phase of the study.

Please note that the Corps is in receipt of the public comments for the Salton Sea Management Program’s Salton Sea Long – Range Plan. Those comments previously submitted will be taken into consideration as part of this study. This initial scoping period will be an opportunity for additional or duplicative comments and suggestions regarding the restoration of the Salton Sea and its tributaries.

Comments or suggestions will be accepted from May 8, 2023, to June 6, 2023.

Comments should be mailed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Los Angeles District
Planning Division
Attn: Emily Lester
3636 N. Central Avenue, Suite 900
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Comments can also be sent to CESPL-Imperial-Streams-Salton-Sea@usace.army.mil

The English and Spanish Public Notice can be found here.