In Case You Missed It: Historic Milestone Achieved for Restoration Project at the Salton Sea
The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP), alongside its regional partners and State officials, gathered at the southern end of the Salton Sea to witness a major milestone for the SSMP’s Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project. Water was released into a newly constructed pond as part of the ongoing efforts to restore habitat, protect air quality, and support wildlife. The filling of the original East Pond and the East Pond Expansion will cover about 2,000 acres with water to create habitat and for fish and birds while suppressing dust from the previously exposed lakebed.
Implementation of the SCH Project was initiated in 2021. With the East Pond 1 Expansion, the project footprint has now expanded to cover nearly 5,000 acres at the south end of the Sea. Further expansion on the Center and West Ponds is envisioned, to add an additional 4,500 acres to the project — raising the total SCH footprint to over 9,000 acres.
This milestone is yet another chapter of the larger Salton Sea Management Plan, which is accelerating restoration projects at the Sea to help protect local communities from harmful dust and restores nature.
The SSMP website is currently undergoing maintenance as we work to enhance accessibility. These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to making sure our digital services are usable and inclusive for everyone.
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SSMP Team
Employee Spotlight: Melinda Dorin
The SSMP is excited to announce that Melinda Dorin, from the Department of Water Resources (DWR), has accepted the position of Lead Manager of the Salton Sea Restoration Office (SSRO). Melinda officially began in this new role in May, and we are thrilled to have her in this new capacity. As SSRO’s Lead Manager, Melinda will lead DWR’s multidisciplinary Salton Sea team, coordinate with other DWR divisions and offices, as well as within the SSMP partner agencies, and other outside partners and agencies.
Melinda Dorin joined DWR SSRO in May 2020 as a Program Manager Since joining DWR, Melinda has managed several SSMP 10-Year Plan projects, as well as served as the lead for all SSMP environmental permitting and regulatory compliance. Notably, she led the development of SSMP 10-Year Plan NEPA document, Program Biological Opinion and Section 106 Programmatic Agreement that covers 30,000 acres of projects. Under her leadership, one of the SSMP projects has been accepted as a pilot project into the new (Jan 1, 2025) “Cutting the Green Tape” Restoration Management Permit process at CDFW.
Prior to joining DWR, Melinda worked for multiple agencies including licensing power plants, renewable energy, and environmental research related to power production at the California Energy Commission, water rights permitting at the State Water Resources Control Board, and on special status species for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Melinda has also worked as a contractor and for several NGOs. She conducted research in Costa Rica and worked with a BBC nature film crew. Melinda received a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from U.C. San Diego.
SSMP Partners
Audubon California Report Reveals a 15% Overall Increase Per Year in Shorebirds at the Salton Sea
A new science brief published by Audubon California shows that a number of factors have resulted in an increase in wetland habitat at the Salton Sea, and that an increasing number of shorebirds are taking advantage of the changes — driving a growth rate average of 15 percent per year in waterbirds overall between 2016 and 2023.
The report highlights the findings of bird surveys and habitat assessments, revealing that bird populations are responding to environmental changes at the sea. An Audubon bird count in August 2023 yielded a record 250,000 shorebirds sighted in one day. The report also provides other findings and recommendations for a healthier and sustainable Sea as an essential oasis for migratory birds.
“We are grateful to our partners at Audubon for this valuable report, which provides critical data that will help advance our collective work for the Salton Sea,” said Joe Shea, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy. The SSMP team continues to work in partnership with Audubon California on its Bombay Beach Wetlands Enhancement Project, which will suppress dust while also creating managed wetland habitat on the east side of the Sea. Audubon has also supported the SSMP by helping to address data gaps, collaborating in community tours, and supporting the work of the SSMP Community Engagement Committee.
Salton Sea – El 22 de mayo, líderes de organizaciones locales, estatales, federales, tribales y organizaciones sin fines de lucro se reunieron para celebrar un logro fundamental en el Salton Sea: el llenado del primer estanque de expansión en el emblemático esfuerzo de restauración del Estado. Conocida como la Ampliación del Estanque Este, esta zona es un componente clave del Proyecto de Hábitat de Conservación de Especies, que restaurará aproximadamente 14 millas cuadradas de hábitat vital cuando esté totalmente construido.
Este hito es solo el último ejemplo de la prioridad que el gobernador Gavin Newsom otorga a la realización de proyectos a gran escala en el Salton Sea que creen hábitats medioambientales y aporten beneficios a las comunidades cercanas. Previamente previsto como un proyecto de 4,100 acres financiado principalmente a través de los fondos de bonos del Estado con un costo de aproximadamente $ 200 millones, el Estado aseguró compromisos del gobierno federal en 2023, 2024 y 2025 por un total de $ 245 millones en fondos adicionales, lo que permitirá que el Proyecto de Hábitat de Conservación de Especies a más del doble de tamaño.
Ahora se prevé que la huella total del Proyecto de Conservación de Especies Hábitat abarque más de 9,000 acres, espacio suficiente para albergar unos 7,500 campos de fútbol. Creará una red de estanques, bermas, islas de anidamiento y descanso y sistemas de suministro de agua diseñados para mantener las poblaciones de peces y aves, restaurando la función del ecosistema y protegiendo la calidad del aire al reducir el polvo en una zona clave del lecho lacustre anteriormente expuesto en el Salton Sea. El llenado de la Ampliación del Estanque Este, combinado con el llenado del Estanque Este original a principios de abril, significa que aproximadamente 2,000 acres del proyecto estarán operativos en las próximas semanas. Continúan los trabajos adicionales para completar los restantes componentes de expansión del proyecto.
El Salton Sea, la mayor superficie de agua interior de California, se ha reducido en los últimos años debido a la disminución de los flujos de entrada, lo que ha dejado al descubierto un lecho que podría liberar pequeñas partículas de polvo en determinadas zonas alrededor del mar, lo que afectaría aún más a la ya de por sí mala calidad del aire en el Valle Imperial. La reducción de los niveles de agua y el aumento de la salinidad también afectan negativamente al hábitat de la fauna, incluidas las aves que viajan por la ruta migratoria del Pacífico.
LO QUE DICEN:
“Esto supone un gran paso en el liderazgo medioambiental de California, que respira vida en ecosistemas críticos a la vez que crea un aire más limpio para las comunidades de los alrededores del Salton Sea. Gracias al apoyo de nuestros socios locales y federales, estamos haciendo realidad el primer gran proyecto de restauración que ha visto el Salton Sea.” – Gobernador Gavin Newsom
“Llenar la Ampliación del Estanque Este muestra un progreso significativo en nuestro compromiso con la región del Salton Sea. La acción de hoy es la prueba de que con asociaciones sólidas y persistencia, podemos seguir haciendo progresos reales que beneficien tanto a las personas como a la vida silvestre en el Mar.” – Secretario de la Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California, Wade Crowfoot
“Este es un momento para celebrar. La ampliación de Estanque Este representa un progreso real y tangible en el Salton Sea. La sólida coordinación y asociación entre el Estado y la región de Salton Sea está cumpliendo la promesa de crear un hábitat crítico al tiempo que protege la salud de las comunidades locales.” – JB Hamby, Vicepresidente del Distrito de Riego Imperial y Presidente de la Junta del Río Colorado
“Estamos orgullosos de celebrar este hito fundamental en el Salton Sea, reflejo de años de incansable defensa de la comunidad y de trabajo en colaboración. El llenado de los estanques del Hábitat de Conservación de Especies aporta una esperanza renovada para el medio ambiente y la salud pública de la región. Este progreso, junto con la inversión crítica asegurada a través del Bono Climático de California aprobado por los votantes en noviembre de 2024, garantiza que el Programa de Gestión de Salton Sea tenga los recursos que necesita para ofrecer un cambio real y duradero para nuestras comunidades y ecosistemas.” – Silvia Paz, Directora Ejecutiva de Alianza Coachella Valley
“¡Qué gran día! Felicitamos a las muchas, muchas personas que han trabajado durante años para planificar y construir y probar y ahora gestionar este enorme humedal. Estamos encantados de ver cómo el tiempo, el dinero y el esfuerzo se convierten en tanta agua sobre el suelo y estamos impacientes por ver todas las aves que aparecen”. – Michael Cohen, investigador principal del Pacific Institute
El Estado se ha comprometido a impulsar este proyecto y otros a través de su Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea, integrado por la Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California, el Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y el Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de California. Para más información sobre el Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea y sus iniciativas de restauración, visite https://saltonsea.ca.gov/.
Salton Sea — On May 22, leaders from local, state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit organizations gathered to mark a pivotal achievement at the Salton Sea — the filling of the first expansion pond in the State’s flagship restoration effort. Known as the East Pond Expansion, this area is a key component of the Species Conservation Habitat Project, which is set to restore approximately 14 square miles of vital habitat when fully built out.
This milestone is just the latest example of Governor Gavin Newsom’s prioritization of delivering large-scale projects at the Salton Sea that create environmental habitat and provide benefits to nearby communities. Previously envisioned as a 4,100-acre project funded primarily through the State’s bond funds at a cost of approximately $200 million, the State secured commitments from the federal government in 2023, 2024, and 2025 totaling $245 million in additional funding, which will allow the Species Conservation Habitat Project to more than double in size.
The total Species Conservation Habitat Project footprint is now envisioned to span over 9,000 acres – enough space to fit roughly 7,500 football fields. It will create a network of ponds, berms, nesting and loafing islands, and water delivery systems engineered to sustain fish and bird populations — restoring ecosystem function and protecting air quality by reducing dust at a key area of previously exposed lakebed at the Salton Sea. The filling of the East Pond Expansion, combined with the filling of the original East Pond in early April, means that roughly 2,000 acres of the project will be operational in the coming weeks. Additional work continues to complete the remaining expansion components of the project.
The Salton Sea, California’s largest inland water body, has shrunk in recent years due to reduced inflows, resulting in an exposed lakebed that has the potential to release small dust particles in certain areas around the sea that further impact the already-poor air quality in the Imperial Valley. The reduced water levels and increased salinity also negatively impact habitat for wildlife, including birds traveling the Pacific Flyway.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“This marks a major step in California’s environmental leadership – breathing life into critical ecosystems while creating cleaner air for communities around the Salton Sea. Thanks to the support of our local and federal partners, we’re making real the first major restoration project the Salton Sea has ever seen.” — Governor Gavin Newsom
“Filling the East Pond Expansion shows meaningful progress in our commitment to the Salton Sea region. Today’s action is proof that with strong partnerships and persistence, we can continue to make real progress that benefits both people and wildlife at the Sea.” — California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot
“This is a moment to celebrate. The East Pond Expansion represents real, tangible progress at the Salton Sea. The strong coordination and partnership between the State and the Salton Sea region is delivering on the promise to create critical habitat while protecting the health of local communities.” — JB Hamby, Vice Chair of Imperial Irrigation District and Chair of the Colorado River Board
“We are proud to celebrate this pivotal milestone at the Salton Sea, a reflection of years of tireless community advocacy and collaborative work. The filling of the Species Conservation Habitat ponds brings renewed hope for the region’s environment and public health. This progress, paired with the critical investment secured through the California Climate Bond passed by voters in November 2024, ensures the Salton Sea Management Program has the resources it needs to deliver real, lasting change for our communities and ecosystems.” — Silvia Paz, Executive Director of Alianza Coachella Valley
“What a great day! We congratulate the many, many people who’ve worked for years to plan and construct and test and now run this huge wetland. We’re delighted to see the time and money and effort converted into so much water on the ground and can’t wait to see all the birds that show up.” — Michael Cohen, Senior Fellow at the Pacific Institute
The State is committed to advancing this project and others through its Salton Sea Management Program, comprising the California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Water Resources, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. For more information about the Salton Sea Management Program and its restoration initiatives, visit https://saltonsea.ca.gov/.
Water is Now Filling a Major Aquatic Restoration Project at the Salton Sea!
As we continue to expand the largest restoration project at the Salton Sea, the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project, this month marks a critical milestone: for the first time, water is flowing into the first pond (“East Pond”) of the project! The East Pond is now receiving mixture of Salton Sea and New River water. Once the East Pond is filled by the end of May, water will be directed into the next pond at the project (“East Pond 1 Expansion Pond”). Together, these ponds will provide about 2,000 acres of habitat restoration – a little over three square miles. This achievement marks an important step towards meeting the goals to improve conditions at 29,800 acres of aquatic and dust suppression projects around the Salton Sea.
Picture taken on April 2. Looking east of the New River Diversion Structure, a berm was breached to allow water to flow by gravity from the east sedimentation basin into the east pond.Satelite Imagery of the SCH Project as the East Pond is being filled with water. Pictures taken April 9 and 21.
Implementation of the SCH Project was initiated in 2021. With the East Pond 1 Expansion, the project footprint has now expanded to cover nearly 5,000 acres at the south end of the Sea. Further expansion on the Center and West Ponds is envisioned, to add an additional 4,500 acres to the project — raising the total SCH footprint to over 9,000 acres. The SCH Project aims to restore deep and shallow water habitats lost as a result of the Salton Sea’s increasing salinity and recession, while providing an important dust suppression benefit to surrounding communities at the south end of the Sea.
SSMP Engagement Opportunities
JOIN US TODAY! Community Meeting on the 2025 SSMP Annual Report
The SSMP team is hosting an in-person meeting and a virtual Zoom meeting on its 2025 Annual Report. Join us at one of the upcoming community meetings to learn more about what’s happening at Salton Sea
Receive an overview of the recently released 2025 SSMP Annual Report, learn about the restoration projects at the Sea and current planning efforts, and meet with members of the State’s Salton Sea team to ask questions and provide feedback.
Spanish interpretation will be provided. Habrá interpretación al español.
All community members are welcome!
Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 pm, in person. West Shores Community Center, 3389 Sea View Avenue, Thermal, CA 92274
Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 pm Virtual Meeting on Zoom [deleted] or dial: +1 (669) 444-9171
Imperial Valley Salton Sea Conference Set for May 9
SSMP partners, Los Amigos de la Comunidad and the Pacific Institute are bringing a full-day conference at Imperial Valley College. This event is being offered for free for participants to hear more about community and public health; the Colorado River and Water; an update on the 2025 SSMP Annual Report; and an update on lithium.
Friday, May 9, in-person Imperial Valley College 380 E Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251
REMINDER: Annual Salton Sea Workshop by the State Water Board
The annual report and the status of the SSMP will be the focus of an all-day public workshop convened by the State Water Board on May 21, 2025.
The State Water Resources Control Board will hold its annual workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program on May 21, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to ~6:00 p.m. The one-day workshop will be hosted at the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board Room 87-225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274, and a virtual participation option through Zoom. Public comments are welcomed and encouraged.
Spanish interpretation will be provided as well as materials translated into Spanish. Additional meeting information will be uploaded as it becomes available on the Water Board Salton Sea page at waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.
LEARN ABOUT RESTORATION EFFORTS AT THE SALTON SEA AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
PLEASE JOIN US AT ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS! • Get an overview of the recently released 2025 SSMP Annual Report • Learn about restoration protects at the Sea and current planning efforts • Meet with members of the State’s Salton Sea team to ask questions and provide feedback
In-Person Meeting, April 30
April 30. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Venue: West Shores Community Center Address: 3389 Sea View Ave. Thermal, California 92274
Online Webinar, May 1
May 1. 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Click here to join the meeting: [deleted] Or Dial: +1 (669) 444-9171
¡El agua ya está llenando un importante proyecto de restauración acuática en el Salton Sea!
A medida que continuamos ampliando el mayor proyecto de restauración en el Salton Sea, el Proyecto de Hábitat de Conservación de Especies (SCH), este mes marca un hito crítico: ¡por primera vez, el agua fluye hacia el primer estanque (“Estanque Este”) del proyecto! El estanque este recibe ahora una mezcla de agua del Salton Sea y del Río Nuevo. Una vez que el estanque este lleno a finales de mayo, el agua se dirigirá al siguiente estanque del proyecto (“Estanque de expansión este 1”). Juntos, estos estanques proporcionarán alrededor de 2.000 acres de restauración del hábitat – un poco más de tres millas cuadradas. Este logro supone un paso importante hacia la consecución de los objetivos de mejora de las condiciones en 29.800 acres de proyectos acuáticos y de supresión de polvo en torno al Salton Sea.
Fotografía tomada el 2 de abril. Mirando hacia el este de la estructura de desvío de New River, se rompió una berma para permitir que el agua fluyera por gravedad desde la cuenca de sedimentación este hacia el estanque este.Imágenes por satélite del Proyecto SCH mientras se llena de agua el Estanque Este. Imágenes tomadas el 9 y el 21 de abril.
La ejecución del Proyecto SCH se inició en 2021. Con la Ampliación del Estanque Este 1, la huella del proyecto se ha ampliado hasta cubrir casi 5,000 acres en el extremo sur del Mar. Se prevén nuevas ampliaciones en los estanques central y occidental, que añadirán al proyecto 4,500 acres adicionales, con lo que la huella total del SCH superará los 9,000 acres. El proyecto SCH tiene por objeto restaurar los hábitats de aguas profundas y poco profundas perdidos como consecuencia del aumento de la salinidad y la recesión del Salton Sea, al tiempo que proporciona un importante beneficio de supresión de polvo a las comunidades circundantes en el extremo sur del mar.
Oportunidades de participación en el SSMP
ÚNASE A NOSOTROS HOY Reunión comunitaria sobre el informe anual del SSMP de 2025
El equipo del SSMP está organizando una reunión en persona y una reunión virtual de Zoom sobre su Informe Anual 2025. Únase a nosotros en una de las próximas reuniones de la comunidad para aprender más sobre lo que está sucediendo en Salton Sea
Reciba una descripción general del Informe Anual 2025 del SSMP recientemente publicado, aprenda sobre los proyectos de restauración en el Salton Sea y los esfuerzos de planificación actuales, y reúnase con miembros del equipo estatal del Salton Sea para hacer preguntas y proporcionar comentarios.
Habrá interpretación al español. Habrá interpretación al español.
¡Todos los miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos!
Miércoles, 30 de abril a las 5:30 pm, en persona. Centro Comunitario West Shores, 3389 Sea View Avenue, Thermal, CA 92274
Jueves, 1 de mayo, a las 12:00 pm Reunión virtual en Zoom bit.ly/SSMP2025reunión o marque +1 (669) 444-9171
La Conferencia sobre el Salton Sea del Valle Imperial se celebrará el 9 de mayo
Los socios del SSMP, Los Amigos de la Comunidad y el Pacific Institute están trayendo una conferencia de un día completo en el Imperial Valley College. Este evento se ofrece de forma gratuita para que los participantes escuchen más sobre la comunidad y la salud pública; el Río Colorado y el Agua; una actualización sobre el Informe Anual del SSMP 2025; y una actualización sobre el litio.
Viernes, 9 de mayo, en persona Imperial Valley College 380 E Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251
Visite www.losamigosdelacomunidad.com para más información.
RECORDATORIO: Taller anual de la Junta Estatal del Agua sobre el Salton Sea
El informe anual y el estado del SSMP serán el tema central de un taller público de un día de duración convocado por la Junta Estatal del Agua el 21 de mayo de 2025.
La Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos Hídricos llevará a cabo su taller anual sobre el estado de la Fase 1 del Programa de Manejo de Salton Sea el 21 de mayo de 2025, de 9:00 a.m. a ~6:00 p.m. El taller de un día se llevará a cabo en el Coachella Valley Unified School District Board Room 87-225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274, y una opción de participación virtual a través de Zoom. Los comentarios del público son bienvenidos y alentados.
Se proporcionará interpretación en español, así como materiales traducidos al español. Información adicional sobre la reunión se subirá a medida que esté disponible en la página de la Junta del Agua Salton Sea en waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.
The California Natural Resources Agency has submitted its 2025 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) to the State Water Resources Control Board, prepared in compliance with Order WR 2017-0134. The report provides specific updates on the SSMP’s activities in 2024 and planning for future projects, ongoing partnerships to help the SSMP meet its goals, community engagement, and next steps. English and Spanish versions of the report can be found at home page of the SSMP website, saltonsea.ca.gov under the Featured Documents heading.
The State’s Salton Sea restoration and management efforts continued to show significant, demonstrable progress in 2024 — achieving key milestones and accelerating the pace of critical project delivery functions. Completing major construction at the first 4,100 acres of the largest restoration project at the Sea and with new federal funding, the SSMP broke ground to expand it by an additional 750 acres. Further expansion is being initiated to suppress dust and restore habitat on up to 9,000 acres at the south end of the Sea.
In other areas along the Sea, over 1,300 acres – spanning roughly five miles of shoreline – now host native vegetation recently planted to suppress dust over the coming decades.
2024 was the largest single year for Salton Sea restoration and management funding in program history. In the fall of 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation committed $175 million to accelerate construction of restoration projects at the Sea, in addition to $70 million previously committed, for a total of $245 million in federal funding. California voters also passed the Climate Bond (Proposition 4) in November 2024, which included $160 million for Salton Sea restoration and management projects, as well as additional funding up to $10 million to create the new Salton Sea Conservancy, which will focus on the long-term operation and maintenance of the State’s restoration projects.
Over the past year, the SSMP Team has worked to ensure that this historic level of funding can be implemented efficiently by completing critical planning milestones, securing essential permit approvals, and filling key leadership positions. This includes the SSMP’s efforts to secure a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a corresponding National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document that collectively provide expedited pathways for SSMP restoration projects to meet federal environmental permitting requirements. Additionally, the SSMP Team finalized a programmatic land access agreement with Reclamation to expedite access to land owned by Reclamation for expedited implementation of SSMP projects in 2024.
Continued partnerships play a crucial role in project delivery and to affirm our program’s commitment to partnership and the community, we released a long-planned report on community needs. This report incorporates input received directly from Salton Sea community members—with the goal of providing information the SSMP and other organizations in the region can use to implement multi-benefit projects that advance both restoration projects and broader objectives essential to community wellbeing.
While we share substantial progress in this annual report, we recognize that significant work remains ahead, and we must continue to accelerate and broaden our work at the Sea.
The annual report and the status of the SSMP will be the focus of an all-day public workshop convened by the State Water Board on May 21, 2025. Details for this workshop are available on the State Water Board’s Salton Sea program webpage. In addition, the SSMP team plans to hold an in-person community event at the community of West Shores in April 30 during the evening, and an online webinar on May 1 at 12:00 p.m. The SSMP team will provide an overview of the report, share project updates, and answer questions on the work completed by the SSMP during 2024. More details on these community workshops are forthcoming and will be announced via the SSMP e-Newsletter and on the SSMP website.
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee will meet at 2 p.m. on March 27 for a virtual meeting on Zoom. The Committee will convene to receive information on the 2025 SSMP Annual Report and discuss upcoming public meetings focused on the Report. An update on the recent work by the Science Committee will be provided and Staff from the State Water Resources Control Board will provide more information on their Annual Salton Sea Workshop.
SSMP Community Engagement Committee Meeting Click here to join the meeting: [deleted]
Or dial: +1 669 444 9171 Webinar ID: [deleted]
Meeting agenda and materials are forthcoming. Visit saltonsea.ca.gov for more information.
REMINDER: Save the Date for the Annual State Water Board Salton Sea Workshop
The State Water Resources Control Board will hold its annual workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program on May 21, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to ~6:00 p.m. The one-day workshop will be hosted in a in-person location in Coachella Valley (exact location will be announced), and a virtual participation option through Zoom. Public comment is welcomed and encouraged.
Spanish interpretation will be provided as well as materials translated into Spanish.
Additional meeting information will be uploaded as it becomes available on the Water Board Salton Sea page at waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.
SSMP Partners in the Community
Fishing for Knowledge: SSMP Wildlife Experts Explore Fisheries for Restoration Projects
In January, members of the SSMP team visited different commercial fisheries located near the Salton Sea. The group, comprised of environmental scientists, biologists, engineers, and other wildlife experts, arrived at the fisheries early in the morning, eager to learn about their operations and fish farming techniques. They were greeted by the fisheries’ management team, who provided an overview of their operations, including the types of fish farmed, feeding techniques, breeding techniques, and harvest processes. The aquaculture staff took the members of the SSMP team on a tour of the various fish tanks and ponds, where they observed the different life cycles of the farmed fish. The aquaculture staff graciously answered the many questions that the SSMP group asked throughout the tour. The team took notes on the importance of water conditions conducive to a thriving environment for fish.
The visit offered valuable lessons about the intricacies of commercial fisheries, providing a deeper understanding of how such operations could align with broader wildlife conservation efforts. It also helped the team highlight the importance of listening to local experts who can help achieve greater success for aquatic life and Salton Sea restoration projects.
Click here to receive Salton Sea Community Updates.
