Community Engagement Committee Meets

Salton Sea Management Update – September 28, 2021

Also: Welcome Deputy Assistant Secretary Mario Llanos; Species Conservation Habitat Project Update; Recordings of Recent Community Meetings Available

The Community Engagement Committee of the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) meets September 29.

UPDATE: View the meeting here, or below

The Committee meets regularly to coordinate outreach and engagement strategies for upcoming public community meetings. The SSMP team collaborates with the Community Engagement Committee to ensure that proper and effective outreach methods are intentionally used to reach the frontline communities of the Salton Sea Region.

The committee is updating the Engagement Committee charter to develop and maintain a program that enables consistent two-way communication, creates opportunities for community members to share concerns and provide input, and ultimately contributes to delivery of projects that improve conditions for communities around the Salton Sea.

Join us by using Zoom.

September 29, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84885824143

Or telephone:
866 390 1828 US Toll-free
Conference code: 787909

Welcome Deputy Assistant Secretary Mario Llanos

Mario Llanos is the new Deputy Assistant Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency Salton Sea Management Program. Llanos is originally from Imperial County. He is excited to return home to make a positive impact in the community from which he grew up.

In his leadership role, Llanos will interface with stakeholders and local leaders to advance projects that improve ecosystem health and protect air quality.

Llanos has led high-performing teams at the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of San Diego. As district manager, he administered maintenance operations and budget, oversaw a Park Ranger Program, and led project management and coordination in historically and culturally significant parks, such as Balboa Park and Presidio Park in San Diego.

Species Conservation Habitat Project Update

Other ongoing work includes, environmental compliance and cultural monitoring, drying soils for future berm construction, and preparing temporary ponds for construction water needs.

The SCH Project is at the southern end of the Salton Sea. As the state’s first large-scale project, it will create a network of ponds and wetlands to provide important fish and bird habitat. Also, it will suppress dust emissions, improving air quality as the Salton Sea continues to recede. The project will cover more than 4,100 acres and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Recordings of Recent Community Meetings Available

If you missed the recent SSMP community meetings, recordings are available in English and Spanish.

The meetings provided an opportunity to share experiences, meet new members of the SSMP team, hear more about the process to study water importation concepts and learn more about the long-range planning process the state has launched.

The meetings were August 31 and September 2. The meetings cover the same topics, but took place at different times to make it more convenient for people to participate.

If you would like to view the meetings in English use the following links:

08/31 – https://youtu.be/6VrIou2xjyA
09/02 – https://youtu.be/5P4tVgvMuVY

For Spanish recordings, use these links:

08/31/21   https://youtu.be/bCHcxeFV0Wk
09/02/21   https://youtu.be/-3ft62Uu5b4

For updates from the SSMP team, sign up for the Salton Sea Management Program newsletter.

###

To sign up to receive Salton Sea Community Updates, please click here.