More Restoration Projects at the Salton Sea Cleared for Implementation
Since the last publication of this newsletter, the SSMP has taken a major step forward in its efforts to permit additional restoration projects. On November 27, the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a permit to the State of California that establishes a framework for the SSMP to efficiently scale up its Phase 1: 10-Year Plan projects. This permit, the framework (letter of permission (LOP) procedures), and the corresponding National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document are an essential piece of the SSMP’s work because they collectively provide expedited pathways for the restoration projects to meet federal environmental permitting standards. The LOP procedures may be used for SSMP projects that require federal Clean Water Act Section 404 compliance, and support expedited consultation and compliance procedures for biological, water quality, and historic properties and resources (i.e., the federal Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act Section 401, and the National Historic Preservation Act). You can read more about the finalized documents on the Corps’ website: https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Projects-Programs/Salton-Sea-Management-Plan/.
This permit approval complements SSMP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination with the federal government, which owns a significant amount of the land in the Salton Sea, including land that is planned for SSMP restoration projects. In 2024, the SSMP team developed and finalized a programmatic land access agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to expedite access to land owned by Reclamation for implementation of Phase I: 10-Year Plan projects. With the NEPA document being issued, federal agency partners can use the analysis for their funding and land access decisions.
Expansion of Restoration Project at the Salton Sea is Moving Full Steam
In October, the SSMP announced that the Species Conservation Habitat Project is expanding its past 4,100-acre footprint by an additional 750 acres, utilizing the first major investment of Federal funds. The State’s Salton Sea Management Program received an initial $70 million in federal funding at the end of 2023 and now the SSMP has broken ground, and construction is ongoing at the SCH Expansion.
Work on the additional 750 acres at the SCH Expansion area continues to progress expeditiously into the new year. Work at the SCH Project is now pushing into the Salton Sea shoreline, getting ahead of the Sea’s expected recession. This expansion reflects a significant acceleration in the State’s project delivery.
Heavy machinery is actively working on the construction of a new berm at the north end of the project area. Construction of a 1.9-mile berm is the primary focus of the SCH Expansion work.
The 750-acre SCH Expansion is obtaining and utilizing materials from within the existing project area to build a new berm that encompasses the expansion area. This approach has allowed the SSMP to work more efficiently to deliver on the construction of the berm. Work on the new berm is expected to continue into 2025. The existing ponds within the SCH footprint are planned to be filled with water in a phased approach as expansion areas are constructed and become ready to come online. With the addition of this expansion area, the project footprint currently stands at nearly 5,000 acres.
Help Us Understand and Learn More About Research, Monitoring, and Projects at the Sea
The SSMP is now updating the inventory for the 2025 Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) Work Plan and is inviting you to help us update information on ongoing and planned monitoring and research projects that are taking place at the Salton Sea region. We kindly request that you submit updates and new projects using this voluntary submission form.
You can refer to the 2024 MIP Annual Work Plan for monitoring elements and past projects. You can fill out a separate form for each monitoring element or study that you are involved with. Please note that the SSMP is not requesting or compiling datasets. We are seeking new information about all the different efforts happening at the Sea by other organizations and entities. To note, form submissions will be summarized in the MIP 2025 Annual Work Plan and will not include contact information.
On November 19, the SSMP held a virtual meeting to provide an overview of the 2025 MIP Workplan and answer questions, as well as a going over the voluntary submission form. Click here to view a recording of the virtual meeting or visit the SSMP website.
Proposition 4 Passes with More Investment for Habitat Restoration
Last month, California voters approved the $10 billion Climate Bond (Proposition 4), which includes $160 million for Salton Sea Restoration projects, as well as additional funding to create the Salton Sea Conservancy. This new conservancy will support Salton Sea restoration by focusing on operating and maintaining dust suppression and habitat management projects at the Salton Sea.
The SSMP team is working on implementation planning for the new resources provided by the Climate Bond, which will require approval from the California State Legislature, and looks forward to public engagement opportunities in the new year to further inform and advance this work.
SSMP Engagement Opportunities
Meaningful and Stronger Communications: The Completion of the SSMP Outreach and Engagement Plan
The SSMP team, in collaboration with the Community Engagement Committee, developed the Salton Sea Community Outreach and Engagement Plan. The Plan outlines the approach and roadmap for outreach and engagement with frontline communities around the Salton Sea and the broader Coachella and Imperial Valley region. The Plan aims to enhance our outreach and engagement efforts to create stronger relationships with Salton Sea Communities, enhance overall communications, build trust and credibility, help measure outreach outcomes, and continue advancing equity and inclusion in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities of the Salton Sea region.
The goal of the Plan is for the SSMP team to work with local leaders, community members, and other interested parties to build and nurture a long-term and respectful approach to engage with Salton Sea communities. The SSMP is committed to early, often, and meaningful consultation with all California Native American tribes with ancestral ties to the Salton Sea and embraces the Engagement Committee’s charge to incorporate EJ principles into its outreach and engagement efforts. Public input and participation are critical to ensuring that community values and perspectives are considered throughout and beyond the implementation of the SSMP.
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee has worked and supported the SSMP by providing recommendations and guidance on how to best connect and meaningfully engage with communities around the Sea and has worked on this plan since 2018. The result is a Plan that demonstrates transparency, recognizes the demographics, language access challenges, and other unique challenges faced in communities around the Sea.
The Salton Sea Community Outreach and Engagement Plan can be found on the SSMP website by clicking here, the plan is also available in Spanish. The SSMP is grateful to all partners and community members who have helped this Plan after years in the making and looks forward to a continued collaboration to continually work to update the Plan to ensure a proactive, inclusive, and transparent engagement process.
SSMP Team
The Team Continues to Grow: SSMP Welcomes New Team Members
Megan Giglini has joined the DWR’s Salton Sea Restoration Office as a Program Manager I. For the SSMP, Megan will be leading regulatory and California Environmental Quality Act compliance efforts and supporting Tribal consultation and engagement.
For the past 3 years, while at the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Megan served in a variety of roles to support the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership (16 agencies), the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Master Plan, and related efforts, including Tribal Engagement and technical workgroups.
Prior to State Service, Megan was an environmental consultant for 17 years. During that time, Megan served as project manager and/or a technical subject matter expert for numerous projects and their environmental compliance needs throughout California, including river restorations, municipal water plans and facility upgrades, transportation and utilities upgrades, and the state’s cannabis cultivation regulations. She enjoys being part of a hard-working team on projects of regional or statewide importance.
Katie Burnworth is the new Program Manager I for the Salton Sea Restoration Office at the Department of Water Resources. Katie Burnworth leads the Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for the SCH Project, overseeing water quality monitoring and developing a framework to evaluate project success and guide adaptive management decisions. She also manages project planning and land access for other SSMP initiatives and supports air quality projects to mitigate dust emissions from the exposed playa.
She has built a career addressing some of Imperial County’s most pressing environmental challenges, from the Salton Sea to cross-border air pollution and on-farm air quality issues. With a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University, she combines her strong academic foundation with extensive hands-on experience in the field. A true local, Katie was born and raised in Imperial County, where she now raises her two kids.
Katie has a natural ability for building partnerships that span government entities, NGOs, and the private sector, allowing her to bring projects from planning stages to successful implementation. In her past role with the Imperial Irrigation District, she played a crucial role in launching the first 1,000 acres of air quality mitigation pilot projects on the Salton Sea playa. As well as being a key player at the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District in the implementation of the community air monitoring program, under Assembly Bill 617. In her spare time, she’s likely off-roading or chasing her next adventure.
Celebrating Partnerships This Holiday Season: A Heartfelt Thanks for Your Continuous Involvement and Commitment to the Salton Sea
As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support, collaboration, and dedication. Together, we have made significant strides in advancing shared goals for the Salton Sea and your contributions and support have been vital in achieving important milestones this 2024. This year has been one of progress, perseverance, and meaningful partnerships. From overcoming challenges to celebrating milestones. With more work ahead, the SSMP team wishes you the best this holiday season.
The SSMP has made substantial progress towards project implementation, project reporting, and continues to support disadvantaged communities in the region. The SSMP team developed an online Project Tracker to provide a comprehensive public platform with updated information on Salton Sea Management Program projects. Additionally, completing the SSMP and Community Needs Report that provides a better understanding for opportunities to incorporate the identified community needs and enhance SSMP projects. We also worked in coordination with the SSMP Community Engagement Committee to develop the Salton Sea Outreach and Engagement Plan to outline the approach and roadmap for outreach and engagement, helping the SSMP to better serve and connect with the communities in the Salton Sea region.
We also worked on enhancing our presence in the community at different spaces by participating in more than 50 opportunities at multiple locations across the region. Providing presentations, program updates, and bringing partners and community members to visit the active project areas, as well as participating at partner-led meetings. We are thankful for the ongoing interest to visit the SSMP projects and for opening your doors to share updates and important program information.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the opportunities to build on this progress to continue delivering on our commitments and advance equity and environmental justice. With your continued partnership, we are confident that we can achieve even greater successes and further elevate the well-being of the communities of the Salton Sea region.
Thank you once again for your dedication and partnership. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness, and a new year of continued success, growth, and positive change.
The SSMP is now updating the inventory for the 2025 Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) Work Plan and is inviting you to help us update existing projects or submit new projects that are currently taking place at the Salton Sea. We kindly request that you submit updates and new projects using this voluntary submission form.
SALTON SEA –Today, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) announced the expansion of a restoration project at the south end of the Salton Sea that will help protect regional air quality and support wildlife. Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot and Deputy Secretary Samantha Arthur alongside state and federal officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project site.
The expansion of the SCH Project represents a multi-agency collaboration to address the ecological challenges facing the Salton Sea. The commitments made by the federal and state government, as well as from regional agencies, enabled the addition of 750 acres to the project’s footprint. This unprecedented support helps set the current project footprint at nearly 5,000 acres with the potential to expand to around 8,000 acres.
In December 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation granted the State $70 million to begin the expansion of the SCH Project through the Inflation Reduction Act. The funding is a portion of the $250 million in federal funding commitments announced in 2022. In August, action to facilitate land access for project implementation and provide $175 million of the federal funding was announced to accelerate the State’s Salton Sea restoration efforts. The SSMP Team is planning to direct this additional federal funding towards further expansion of the SCH Project and other projects in planning. To date, California has committed over $500 million in state funding for Salton Sea planning and projects.
Located at the south end of the Salton Sea, near the community of Westmorland, the Project aims to restore ecological value at the Salton Sea and help protect regional air quality by: Creating a network of ponds and wetlands; Providing habitat for fish and birds that visit the Salton Sea; Suppressing dust within the project area.
“Our largest project at the Salton Sea to suppress dust and restore habitat is getting bigger,” said Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency. “The Biden-Harris Administration and our Congressional delegation delivered major funding to get this done, and it’s another step forward at the Sea. I’m proud of our partnerships and progress, while we all know much more work lies ahead.” The groundbreaking ceremony was followed by a tour of the SCH Project, where invitees had the opportunity to see the expansion area and major project features.
“For years, my constituents have shared their concerns about the harmful impacts of the Salton Sea. As a physician in Congress, I have been committed to addressing this ongoing public health and environmental crisis,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.(CA-25). “Thanks to our partnership with the Biden-Harris administration and the $4 billion secured through the Inflation Reduction Act to stabilize the Colorado River Basin, we are bringing vital resources to our communities that will protect the health, environment, and economy of our region.”
“The Species Conservation Habitat Expansion is a critical component in addressing the environmental and air quality challenges of the Salton Sea. By expanding what is one of the largest conservations engineering projects in the Country, this project will continue to play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of the receding sea by expanding habitat for fish and birds while also suppressing dust emission so as to protect the surrounding communities,” said State Senator Steve Padilla. “This is a testament of what is possible when we put the resources needed for conservation efforts at the Salton Sea and with the passage of SB 583, to create a Salton Sea Conservancy, we can now sustain and accelerate California’s conservation efforts with local input as to how future funding should be prioritized and spent.”
“As the Salton Sea lakebed recedes, toxic dust is contaminating air quality and threatening the stability of the local ecosystem,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “The $250 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding we secured for the Salton Sea Management Program is essential not only to protect public health in surrounding communities, but to restore the habitat of the abundant aquatic and avian wildlife in the region. Today’s exciting groundbreaking of the Species Conservation Habitat Project expansion will expand critical wetland habitat and improve air quality around the hazardous exposed lakebed.”
“With the State of California’s leadership, we have delivered historic investments to protect our Salton Sea communities. With over $500 million in state funding secured and the possibility of more soon on the horizon, we welcome Biden-Harris support and applaud this opportunity to break ground on a project with our federal partners. We celebrate this milestone and look forward to continued opportunities to collaborate and accelerate the actions needed to bring environmental, ecological, economic, and public health relief to the Salton Sea region,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella).
“California’s commitment to protecting the Colorado River by conserving 1.6 million acre-feet under the Lower Basin Plan would not have been possible without the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration and Commissioner Touton,” said JB Hamby, Chairman for the Colorado River Board of California. “Their historic $250 million investment in California’s Species Conservation Habitat — the largest ever for Salton Sea restoration — marks a turning point. Together, these efforts protect both the Colorado River and the Salton Sea.”
For more information about the SCH Project and groundbreaking ceremony, please visit www.saltonsea.ca.gov or contact Miguel Hernández at (916) 213-8616 or email Miguel.hernandez@resources.ca.gov.
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On a mission to restore, protect and manage California’s natural, historical and cultural resources.
Financiación federal disponible para más restauración en el mar. El proyecto existente se amplía
El Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea está utilizando una inversión federal inicial para añadir aproximadamente 750 acres a la huella del Proyecto de Hábitat de Conservación de Especies (SCH) entre el Río Nuevo y el final de la calzada. La construcción de una nueva berma creará un nuevo estanque, denominado Ampliación del Estanque Este 1. Una vez terminada la berma, la zona total del estanque este del proyecto SCH original y la ampliación del estanque este 1 podrán llenarse de agua y ponerse en servicio, cubriendo casi 2.000 acres de lecho lacustre expuesto. Las obras iniciales de ampliación del Estanque Este 1 ya están en marcha y continuarán hasta 2025.
La ejecución del proyecto SCH, a través de un contrato de diseño y construcción, se inició en 2021. El Proyecto SCH tiene como objetivo restaurar los hábitats de aguas profundas y poco profundas perdidos como resultado del aumento de la salinidad y la recesión del Salton Sea. El Estado de California asignó aproximadamente 206 millones de dólares en financiación para implementar 4.100 acres y esa área está casi completa.
En diciembre de 2023, el Departamento de Reclamación de EE.UU. concedió al Estado $70 millones para iniciar la ampliación del Proyecto SCH para acelerar la supresión de polvo y proyectos de hábitat acuático en el Salton Sea. La financiación es una parte de los $250 millones en compromisos de financiación federal en el Compromiso de 2022 para apoyar la gestión del Salton Sea relacionada con la conservación del agua en el Acuerdo de la Cuenca Baja del Río Colorado.
Mirando hacia el sur, la estación de bombeo salina se encuentra al final de la calzada de 1.25 millas. El Estanque Este 1 se construirá al oeste de la calzada y al este del Río Nuevo. El Estanque Este 1 es el principal objetivo de la ampliación del SCH en 2024.
Apenas el mes pasado y como resultado de años de trabajo de muchos, se anunciaron acciones para conservar casi 230 mil millones de galones de agua para 2026, facilitar el acceso a la tierra para la implementación de proyectos y proporcionar $175 millones adicionales en fondos federales para acelerar los esfuerzos de restauración del Estado. Esta financiación cumple el compromiso del Departamento de Reclamación de apoyar los proyectos ampliados y acelerados del Estado en el Salton Sea que abordan la calidad del aire para proteger la salud pública y restaurar el hábitat en asociación con la conservación del río Colorado. El equipo del SSMP tiene previsto destinar esta financiación federal adicional a la ampliación del proyecto SCH.
El siguiente vídeo ofrece información adicional sobre el proyecto SCH.
Únase a nosotros en el seguimiento de los progresos en el Salton Sea
El Rastreador de Proyectos del SSMP ha sido actualizado con la superficie en acres del proyecto lograda hasta la fecha, imágenes adicionales y otra información importante del proyecto. Estrenado en marzo de 2024, el Rastreador de Proyectos SSMP proporciona una plataforma pública integral con información actualizada sobre los proyectos del Programa de Gestión de Salton Sea. Las actualizaciones del Rastreador de Proyectos seguirán produciéndose dos veces al año y la próxima actualización está prevista para finales de año.
El rastreador está integrado en el sitio web del SSMP y los proyectos se pueden ver y clasificar por fases de proyecto, tipo de actividad y categoría. Haga clic aquí para visitar el Rastreador de Proyectos y ver las actualizaciones recientes y navegar por la herramienta y sus diferentes secciones.
Preguntamos, escuchamos, aprendimos, Los informes sobre las necesidades de la comunidad se hancompletado
La Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California reconoció la necesidad de comprender mejor las necesidades de la comunidad e identificar mejores vías para lograr co-beneficios mientras se alcanzan los objetivos y compromisos del SSMP para implementar casi 30,000 acres de proyectos de supresión de polvo y restauración de hábitats. Esto condujo al desarrollo del SSMP y el Informe de Necesidades de la Comunidad que identifica las necesidades de la comunidad relacionadas con el Salton Sea, describe el estado de los esfuerzos del SSMP y enumera las posibles oportunidades futuras con financiación y capacidad adicionales, para abordar las necesidades de la comunidad mientras se implementan los proyectos de restauración.
Además del Informe SSMP, la Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California encomendó el Informe de Necesidades de la Comunidad del Salton Sea y Acciones Recomendadas a Better World Group Advisors. Este informe identifica las necesidades de la comunidad más allá del alcance del SSMP y recomienda acciones que pueden emprender las agencias gubernamentales federales, estatales y locales, organizaciones empresariales, filantrópicas, grupos comunitarios y organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro.
Estos informes fueron elaborados por la comunidad, con la comunidad. Organizamos reuniones de grupos de trabajo, llevamos a cabo encuestas a la comunidad y organizamos eventos informativos con el apoyo de organismos asociados como la Salton Sea Authority y la Konkuey Design Initiative. Además de recibir comentarios por correo postal y electrónico, durante el periodo de 60 días de comentarios públicos, el equipo del SSMP organizó dos reuniones comunitarias presenciales en Mecca y Salton City. También se ofreció un seminario virtual en Zoom como tercera oportunidad para recabar comentarios de la comunidad que ayudaran a dar forma a los informes finales. El equipo del SSMP y el Better World Group revisaron y analizaron todos los comentarios públicos, y los informes se actualizaron para reflejar los comentarios y las recomendaciones recibidas, en su caso.
La Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California agradece a los miembros de la comunidad, a las tribus nativas americanas de California y a los socios regionales que participaron en este esfuerzo para identificar las necesidades de la comunidad y detallar qué esfuerzos y proyectos considerar como parte del SSMP. Los Informes Finales, incluyendo las versiones en español, se encuentran en el sitio web del SSMP en la Sección de Documentos Destacados.
Oportunidades de participación en el SSMP
Únase a nosotros en la próxima reunión del Comité de Participación de la Comunidad
El Comité de Participación de la Comunidad SSMP se reunirá a las 10 a.m. el 26 de septiembre para una reunión virtual en Zoom. Habrá interpretación al español.
“Reserve la fecha” Próxima reunión comunitaria en Bombay Beach, 10 de octubre
Audubon California y el equipo SSMP organizará una reunión comunitaria el 10 de octubre para proporcionar la información más reciente sobre el Proyecto de Restauración de Humedales Audubon cerca de la comunidad de Bombay Beach. Próximamente se proporcionarán más detalles sobre la reunión. Visite www.saltonsea.ca.gov para obtener más información.
Noticias de nuestros socios
Audubon está contratando a un Director del Programa Salton Sea
Audubon California está buscando un líder dinámico para ocupar el puesto de Director del Programa del Salton Sea y el Desierto. El cargo implica dirigir proyectos de defensa, restauración y participación que promuevan el Plan de Gestión del Salton Sea de California, protejan los hábitats del desierto, apoyen proyectos responsables de energías renovables y fomenten el ocio basado en la naturaleza. Es una oportunidad ideal para alguien con experiencia en el establecimiento de relaciones entre comunidades desérticas y con pasión por la resolución de problemas en colaboración.
Federal Funding Available for More Restoration at the Sea. Existing Project is Expanding
The Salton Sea Management Program is utilizing an initial federal investment to add approximately 750 acres to the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project footprint between the New River and end of the causeway. Construction of a new berm will create a new pond, referred as East Pond 1 Expansion. Once the berm is completed, the overall East Pond area of the original SCH project and East Pond 1 Expansion can be filled with water and commissioned, covering nearly 2,000 acres of exposed lakebed. Initial work for the East Pond 1 Expansion is already underway, and construction will continue into 2025.
Implementation of the SCH Project, via a design-build contract, was initiated in 2021. The SCH Project aims to restore deep and shallow water habitats lost as a result of the Salton Sea’s increasing salinity and recession. The State of California allocated approximately $206 million in funding to implement 4,100 acres and that area it is nearly complete.
In December 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation granted the State $70 million to begin the expansion of the SCH Project to accelerate dust suppression and aquatic habitat projects at the Sea. The funding is a portion of the $250 million in federal funding commitments in the 2022 Commitment to Support Salton Sea Management Related to Water Conservation in the Lower Colorado River Basin Agreement.
Looking south, the Saline Pump Station is located at the end of the 1.25-mile Causeway. East Pond 1 will be constructed west of the Causeway and east of the New River. East Pond 1 is the focus of the SCH Expansion during 2024.
Just last month and resulting from years of work by many, actions were announced to conserve nearly 230 billion gallons of water by 2026, facilitate land access for project implementation, and provide an additional $175 million in federal funding to accelerate the State’s restoration efforts. This funding fulfills the Bureau of Reclamation’s commitment to support the State’s expanded and accelerated projects at the Salton Sea that address air quality to protect public health and restore habitat in association with the Colorado River conservation. The SSMP Team is planning to direct this additional federal funding to further expansion of the SCH Project.
The following video provides additional information about the SCH project.
Join Us in Tracking Progress at the Salton Sea
The SSMP Project Tracker has been updated with project acreage achieved to date, additional pictures, and other important project information. Debuted in March 2024, the SSMP Project Tracker provides a comprehensive public platform with updated information on Salton Sea Management Program projects. Updates to the Project Tracker will continue to occur twice per year with the next update planned for the end of the year.
The tracker is integrated into the SSMP website and projects are viewable and sortable by project phases, activity type, and category. Click here to visit the Project Tracker to see recent updates and navigate across the tool and its different sections.
We Asked, We Listened, We Learned, Community Needs Reports Are Now Finalized
The California Natural Resources Agency recognized the need to better understand community needs and identify better pathways to achieve co-benefits while achieving the SSMP’s goals and commitments to implement nearly 30,000 acres of dust suppression and habitat restoration projects. This led to the development of the SSMP and Community Needs Report which identifies community needs related to the Salton Sea, describes the status of the SSMP efforts, and lists potential future opportunities with added funding and capacity, to address community needs while implementing restoration projects.
In addition to the SSMP Report, the California Natural Resources Agency commissioned the Salton Sea Community Needs and Recommended Actions Report to Better World Group Advisors. This report identifies community needs beyond the scope of the SSMP and recommends actions that can be taken by federal, state, and local government agencies, business organizations, philanthropy, community-based groups, and nonprofit organizations.
These reports were informed by the community, with the community. We held working group meetings, conducted community surveys and informational pop-up events with support from partnering agencies like the Salton Sea Authority and Konkuey Design Initiative. Additional to receiving comments via regular mail and email, during the 60-day public comment period, the SSMP team hosted two in-person community meetings in Mecca and Salton City. A virtual webinar on Zoom was also offered as a third opportunity to gather community feedback to help shape the final reports. The SSMP Team and Better World Group reviewed and analyzed all public comments, and the Reports were updated to reflect the feedback and recommendations received, where appropriate.
The California Natural Resources Agency is grateful to the community members, California Native American tribes, and regional partners who participated in this effort to identify community needs and detail what efforts and projects to consider as part of the SSMP. Final Reports, including the Spanish versions, are found in the SSMP website under the Featured Documents Section.
SSMP Engagement Opportunities
Join Us in the Next Community Engagement Committee Meeting
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Sept 26 for a virtual meeting on Zoom. Spanish interpretation will be available.
“Save the Date” Upcoming Community Meeting at Bombay Beach, October 10
Audubon California and the SSMP team will be hosting a community meeting on October 10 to provide the latest information on the Audubon Wetlands Restoration Project near the community of Bombay Beach. Additional meeting details will be provided soon. Visit www.saltonsea.ca.gov for more information.
News From Our Partners
Audubon is Hiring a Salton Sea Program Director
Audubon California is seeking a dynamic leader to step into the role of Salton Sea and Desert Program Director. The role involves leading advocacy, restoration, and engagement projects that advance the CA Salton Sea Management Plan, protect desert habitats, support responsible renewable energy projects, and promote nature-based recreation. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone with experience building relationships across desert communities and a passion for collaborative problem-solving.
The Imperial County Air Pollution Control District is accepting applications from residents at the Salton Sea to receive an In-Home Air Purifier. Visit the District website to submit an application on or before September 27. The application is also available in Spanish.
SSMP Team
SSMP Welcomes a New Team Member
To continue delivering critical projects around the Salton Sea, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has filled a key position at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Salton Sea Program.
Kevin Hupf is CDFW’s new Senior Environmental Specialist with the Integrated Science Team as the monitoring lead.
Kevin was previously with CDFW’s Cannabis Program working on California Environmental Quality Act, California Endangered Species Act, Lake and Streambed Alteration, Enforcement, and Compliance. Kevin started with CDFW in the Lake and Streambed Alteration Program in 2012. Prior to joining CDFW, Kevin worked as a biological monitor during concrete lining of the Coachella Canal. Kevin earned a BS in zoology from the University of Washington. He is excited to be part of this great group and to learn more about the wonders of the Salton Sea and the Inland Deserts Region.
Follow Us on Social
Communities around the #SaltonSea have shared their needs and have helped us identify opportunities to address them through the restoration projects led by the Salton Sea Management Program. The SSMP and Community Needs Report and the Salton Sea Community Needs and Recommended… pic.twitter.com/YygSwJ58lP
— California Natural Resources Agency (@CalNatResources) September 4, 2024
Communities around the #SaltonSea have shared their needs and have helped us identify opportunities to address them through the restoration projects led by the Salton Sea Management Program. The SSMP and Community Needs Report and the Salton Sea Community Needs and Recommended… pic.twitter.com/YygSwJ58lP
— California Natural Resources Agency (@CalNatResources) September 4, 2024
The State Water Resources Control Board held its Annual Salton Sea Workshop on May 22 at the CalEPA Building in Sacramento. Remote viewing locations in Calipatria and Bombay Beach and a virtual viewing option were provided.
The recordings of both days of the workshop as well as the presentation slides are now available on the Water Boards Salton Sea Website in English and Spanish:
SSMP Community Meetings are set for May 8, 9, and 10
The SSMP team is hosting two in-person meetings and a virtual Zoom meeting on its 2024 Annual Report. Join us at one of the upcoming community meetings to learn more about what’s happening at the Salton Sea and how you can get involved.
Get an overview of the recently released 2024 SSMP Annual Report and learn more about restoration projects underway at the Sea. Learn about the SSMP Project Tracker and connect with the SSMP team to ask your questions and provide feedback.
Spanish interpretation will be provided. Habrá interpretación al español. All community members are welcome!
May 8, in-person:
Brawley Union High School 480 N. Imperial Ave, Brawley, CA 92227 Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
May 9, in-person:
Coachella Library 1500 6th Street, Coachella, CA 92236 Thursday, May 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
