SSMP Project Spotlight North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project
October 2022 – Bringing you timely and concise updates on the Salton Sea Management Program
Haga click aquí para leer este mensaje en español
The Project will be located at the north end of the Salton Sea, in Riverside County near the unincorporated community of North Shore.
The Salton Sea Authority (SSA) and Riverside County are working to implement the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project. When complete, the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project will construct an approximately 156-acre lake to provide both shallow and deep-water habitat near the North Shore Beach & Yacht Club Community Center in North Shore. The lake is planned to restore and manage habitat for fish and birds, control dust, and provide recreational opportunities.
In April 2021, the project received a $19.25 million Proposition 68 grant from the California Department of Water Resources on behalf of the Salton Sea Management Program. Over the summer, Riverside County approved a two-year agreement with Dudek Consulting for design and engineering services for the Project.
The next community meeting for this project will be on Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. More information on this meeting can be found here below in the events section.
Riverside County has launched a Web page for the project, https://rivco.org/community/salton-sea-north-lake-pilot-demonstration-project, with more information on the conceptual plans and outreach meetings on the project.
SSMP Team
SSMP Team Employee Spotlight
The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing the Salton Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. These agencies are collectively known as the SSMP team.
In this edition, we are putting Evon Willhoff in the spotlight to share more about her important work, as part of the SSMP Team.
Willhoff is a Program Manager DWR, where she has worked for the past 10 years, including three years of that time with the Salton Sea Management Program.
- Hi Evon, can you tell us a bit more about your role at the SSMP?
Currently, my role is to work with Tribal and Federal governments, local agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, and the public to plan and implement SSMP projects. Nearly my entire time with DWR, I’ve worked on projects based in the Coachella Valley region. Before working at DWR, I worked for over five years with the Planning and Conservation League in their Water Program to advocate for policies and legislation on behalf of the environment and marginalized communities.
- What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working with people…especially in the context of protecting an environmental resource or a unique place (Like the Salton Sea) for future generations. I like hearing what the community cares about and what concerns them. I enjoy bringing people and resources together to figure out how we can best reach collective goals and objectives.
- What inspired you to seek a career in implementing and managing ecological restoration projects?
Honestly, I fell into this path, but what brought me here was a course I took in college on California water and policy, followed by an advanced field course that required hiking and backpacking out into watersheds and environmental restoration projects. These experiences allowed me to view other opportunities and changed the expectation of what my life could be. I had found something I wanted to spend my time doing. Shortly after graduating, I began working for an environmental non-profit on water. This work focused on protecting our coast, lakes, rivers, and streams, including safe and affordable drinking water. After working with this non-profit, I came to work for the state. I wanted to work within government to progress my same values, but in a different way.
- What is your vision for the future of the Salton Sea?
My vision for the Sea includes improving the quality of life for adjacent communities and businesses while also preserving the habitat value and the uniqueness of the region. It’s going to be challenging, but I think many have similar goals, and we will have to be creative and innovative in how we can bring the vision to reality.
- Thank you Evon!
The State is Recruiting Candidates for Four Positions to Join the SSMP Team
The Department of Water Resources is seeking applicants for a supervising engineer, two senior engineer positions, and a Budget Analyst with the Salton Sea Management Program.
The Supervising Engineer is responsible for directing staff and consultants within the Salton Sea Management Program forthe administration and inspection of construction work for the Department at the Salton Sea. The Supervising Engineer will also be responsible for coordination with and oversight of Operations and Maintenance Activities by project partners as portions of the project construction are completed.
The final filing date is October 28, 2022. The job announcement may be found at https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=326073
The Senior Contract Engineer performs field inspections and contract administration to ensure that construction contracts and other assigned facilities under the SSMP are completed on schedule and in accordance with plans and specifications.
The final filing date is October 28, 2022. The job announcement may be found at https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=326130
The Senior Field Engineer performs engineering design, drafting, and field inspection to ensure that construction contracts managed by the Salton Sea Project Headquarters for the Department and other assigned facilities under the SSMP are completed on schedule and per specifications.
The final filing date is October 28, 2022. The job announcement may be found at https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=326136
The Budget Analyst works independently performing a wide variety of challenging and complex analytical and administrative tasks, as well as working closely with program managers on budget planning and tracking and grant contract development and invoicing for the Salton Sea Program.
The final filing date is October 17, 2022. The job announcement may be found at https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=326086
If you are a self-motivated, service-minded, and a hardworking professional interested in joining a dynamic team that is dedicated to helping the Salton Sea Program apply today!
Exams and Job opportunities to join the SSMP team are updated regularly on CalCareers.
Upcoming SSMP Engagement Opportunities and Salton Sea Events
Partner Event: Next Community Meeting on the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project on October 15
On October 15, Riverside County and the Salton Sea Authority will hold a community meeting on the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Participants will hear updates on the status of the project and will have an opportunity to share feedback and ask questions. The meeting will be held in person at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal, as well as virtually via Zoom. Spanish interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación al español.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86294358371?pwd=WmtLV0Y0cHNRTUlMSWdwZXpJMzUrUT09
Passcode: 20221015
Haga click aquí para acceder a la reunion en español
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85752742661?pwd=dVVDY2xBN3JWZGVlUis3cXlqTzNnQT09
Código: 20221015
Partner Event: Salton Sea Action Committee will host a Stakeholder meeting on October 21
The Salton Sea Action Committee invites members of the public to participate at their next Salton Sea Stakeholder meeting in person at the Fantasy Springs Casino Boardroom on October 21, at 9:00 am.
More information about this meeting can be found on their website: www.saltonseaactioncommittee.org.
SSMP Long-Range Plan Committee to Meet on November 2
The Long-Range Plan Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. for a virtual meeting on Zoom to discuss updates and receive feedback on the development of the Long-Range Plan. Spanish interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación al español.
SSMP Long-Range Plan Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 2 at 9:30 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88165475219
Dial: +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 88165475219
SSMP Community Engagement Committee to Meet on November 3
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee will meet on November 3 at 10:00 a.m. for a virtual meeting on Zoom. Spanish Interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación en español.
SSMP Community Engagement Committee Meeting
Thursday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89562922825
Dial: +1 719 359 4580
Webinar ID: 895 6292 2825
SAVE THE DATE: SSMP Science Committee Meeting Tentatively set for November 16
The SSMP Science Committee is tentatively planned to meet on November 16 for a virtual meeting on Zoom. More details for this meeting are forthcoming.
SSMP Meetings materials and other documents will be uploaded to the SSMP website. For questions or comments, please contact: Cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov.
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Join us Monday, 10/17 for the “Drought to Flood Symposium” – A panel discussion on how to build climate change resiliency in flood & water resources management & how to prepare for weather extremes. In-person & live stream option. Info on registration https://water.ca.gov/News/Events/2022/Oct-2022/Drought-to-Flood-Symposium
The Salton Sea e-Newsletter Update is issued the second week of each month to deliver up-to-date information on the Salton Sea Management Program. For questions or comments, please contact: Cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov.
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California Natural Resources Agency
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814