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
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, www.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.
Meeting agenda and materials are forthcoming. Visit www.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.
Trabajando juntos por el Salton Sea y las comunidades del Salton Sea: Mensaje del nuevo Subsecretario de Política del Salton Sea
Hola a todos: al comenzar un nuevo año, quiero tomarme un momento para presentarme y afirmar mi compromiso de seguir cumpliendo las obligaciones del SSMP y acelerar el progreso de nuestro trabajo en el mar.
Mi nombre es Joe Shea, y recientemente fui nombrado Subsecretario de Política del Salton Sea en la Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California por el Gobernador Newsom. Llevo en este puesto desde diciembre de 2024, y anteriormente pasé los últimos siete años trabajando para el gobernador Newsom, donde vi de primera mano el increíble trabajo que el equipo del SSMP ha llevado a cabo para avanzar en nuestros compromisos con el Salton Sea.
Estoy orgulloso de lo que el equipo del SSMP ha logrado en los últimos años y también soy consciente de que queda mucho trabajo por hacer. Mientras seguimos ampliando el impacto de nuestro programa para proteger la salud pública y restaurar las funciones ecológicas clave en el mar, quiero que sepan que nuestro equipo está trabajando con un agudo sentido de la urgencia para mejorar las condiciones en el Salton Sea en beneficio de las comunidades que llaman hogar a esta región.
Progresos y compromisos:
Proyectos de restauración ambiental: Seguimos desplegando fondos para proyectos de supresión de polvo y restauración del hábitat acuático para ayudar a proteger la calidad del aire y restaurar el hábitat de la vida silvestre para cumplir con nuestro compromiso de 29.800 acres totales alrededor del Mar. Estos proyectos abordan los impactos de la reducción del mar y crean beneficios medioambientales.
Salud y bienestar de la comunidad: El año pasado, la agencia matriz del SSMP -la Agencia de Recursos Naturales de California- encargó la publicación del Informe de Necesidades de la Comunidad del Salton Sea, que detalla las acciones y recomendaciones para promover la salud y el bienestar de la comunidad en las comunidades del Salton Sea. Nuestro equipo continuará buscando oportunidades y asociaciones para avanzar en este trabajo.
3. Reforzar las asociaciones y la colaboración: Lograr un progreso significativo en el Salton Sea requiere tanto de la coordinación entre las organizaciones que trabajan para lograr un futuro mejor para el Salton Sea como de un compromiso con la divulgación continua y la participación pública. Seguiremos fomentando asociaciones sólidas a través de un sólido programa de divulgación y participación en 2025 del que pronto daremos más detalles.
Mirando hacia adelante: Este año nos centramos en avanzar en una serie obras fundamentales:
El Estanque Este 1: Mientras seguimos construyendo nuestro mayor proyecto en el mar, el proyecto de Hábitat de Conservación de Especies, nos proponemos completar la ampliación de un componente clave de este proyecto — El Estanque Este 1 — este verano. El llenado de El Estanque Este 1 es un paso fundamental para avanzar en nuestros proyectos de hábitats acuáticos que suprimen el polvo y crean hábitats para los peces.
Mejora de la vegetación: Los trabajos de mejora de la vegetación en la Casa Club, Tule Wash y West Bombay Beach también continúan a buen ritmo. Con la siembra y plantación en curso para estos sitios, esperamos establecer más vegetación en el lecho del lago expuesto a medida que avanzamos en el año – otra herramienta crítica para la supresión de polvo en consonancia con el Plan de Acción de Supresión de Polvo de nuestro programa.
Conservación del Salton Sea: Esta primavera también publicaremos nuestra propuesta para crear la Reserva del Salton Sea, la primera reserva nueva del Estado en 15 años. El proyecto de ley 583 del Senado del año pasado y el Bono Climático aprobado por los votantes en noviembre impulsaron esta conservación. Salton Sea Conservancy complementará los esfuerzos de ejecución de proyectos del SSMP asumiendo funciones de funcionamiento y mantenimiento de los proyectos del SSMP ya finalizados. Al asumir esta función, TNC se asegurará de que los proyectos del SSMP aporten beneficios a las comunidades del Salton Sea y a los ecosistemas medioambientales durante mucho tiempo.
Informe anual: En marzo presentaremos nuestro Informe Anual, en el que se detallará el trabajo realizado por nuestro equipo año tras año para avanzar en nuestros compromisos en el mar. Prevemos tener múltiples oportunidades para hablar con los miembros de la comunidad y las partes interesadas sobre el trabajo que estamos haciendo y escuchar sus opiniones.
Gracias por su continuo apoyo y compromiso. Estoy aquí para trabajar con ustedes para avanzar en nuestra próxima fase de trabajo en el Salton Sea. No duden en ponerse en contacto conmigo o con el resto del equipo del SSMP si tienen preguntas o ideas sobre cómo podemos seguir trabajando juntos.
Adelante,
-Joe
Resumen del presupuesto de enero del Gobernador
Este mes, el gobernador Newsom publicó su propuesta de presupuesto de enero, que incluye $147.6 millones para proyectos de restauración del Salton Sea. Esta financiación fue puesta a disposición por el Bono Climático, que los votantes de California aprobaron en noviembre de 2024. Si esta propuesta de financiación es aprobada por la Legislatura a finales de este año, el equipo SSMP pondrá esta financiación a trabajar de inmediato para avanzar en nuestros proyectos críticos, de alta prioridad en el mar que ofrecen beneficios para la salud pública y el medio ambiente.
Oportunidades de participación
Reserve la fecha para el taller anual de la Junta Estatal del Agua sobre el Salton Sea
La Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos del Agua celebrará su taller anual sobre el estado de la Fase 1 del Programa de Gestión de Salton Sea el 21 de mayo de 2025, de 9:00 a.m. – ~ 6:00 p.m. El taller de un día se llevará a cabo en una ubicación en persona en Coachella Valley (la ubicación exacta se anunciará más adelante), y una opción de participación virtual a través de Zoom. Los comentarios del público son bienvenidos y recomendados.
Se proporcionará interpretación al español, así como materiales traducidos al español.
Se subirá información adicional sobre la reunión a medida que esté disponible en la página de la Junta del Agua del Salton Sea en waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.
Socios del SSMP en la Comunidad
Creciendo en comunidad
En noviembre, The EcoMedia Compass lideró el evento de Tree for All Planting en la comunidad de Desert Shores. Un entusiasta grupo de voluntarios locales, a los que se unieron otros que se enteraron de este evento a través de las redes sociales y que viajaron largas distancias, se reunieron para plantar 36 mezquites, 2 palos verdes y 1 sauce del desierto. La zona donde se celebró el evento contaba con un sistema de riego listo para ser desplegado a medida que se empezaban a plantar los árboles, lo que garantizaba unas condiciones óptimas para el crecimiento de las plantas.
El equipo de SSMP se unió a este evento comunitario en el Mar. El Oficial de Asuntos Públicos, Miguel Hernández, proporcionó información actualizada sobre los proyectos de restauración de SSMP y se unió al grupo para apoyar el esfuerzo de plantación de árboles. Estamos agradecidos por la oportunidad de contribuir a este importante evento impulsado por la comunidad.
Miguel Hernández y Tom Sephton cavando para plantar un nuevo mezquite. Foto de EcoMedia Compass
Más estaciones de carga para vehículos eléctricos en el Valle Imperial
Miembros de la Mesa Directiva del Comité Cívico del Valle cortan la cinta ceremonial en la inauguración de las nuevas estaciones de carga rápida para vehículos eléctricos el miércoles 22 de enero en Brawley. – Foto CCV
Como parte de la iniciativa Lithium Valley EV Equity Charger Initiative, Comite Civico Del Valle (CCV) celebró recientemente la instalación de nuevas estaciones de carga rápida para vehículos eléctricos (VE) en la Biblioteca Pública de El Centro y en la sede de CCV en Brawley. Esta iniciativa es un modelo comunitario sin ánimo de lucro para construir y gestionar una red de estaciones de recarga de VE en el Valle Imperial.
En Brawley, el programa de la ceremonia incluyó la participación de la Comisaria de Energía de California, Noemi Gallardo, funcionarios electos locales, la Región 6 de UAW y personal de la Asamblea y el Senado del Estado. El anfitrión del evento fue Luis Olmedo, Director Ejecutivo del CCV.
Llenando el aire de música vibrante y alegría, el Mariachi Acero del Valle hizo que esta celebración fuera aún más especial. Honrando la cultura regional y las tradiciones festivas.
A través de esta iniciativa, CCV ha instalado 16 estaciones de carga rápida accesibles al público en todo el Valle Imperial. CCV ha instalado con éxito otras estaciones de carga rápida en la ciudad de Calexico y en la ciudad de Calipatria. La Iniciativa de Cargadores Equitativos para Vehículos Eléctricos del Valle Imperial está financiada en parte por el Proyecto de Infraestructuras para Vehículos Eléctricos de la Comisión de Energía de California.
Estación de carga para vehículos eléctricos en la Biblioteca Pública de El Centro, 1198 North Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA. – Foto CCV
Working Together for the Salton Sea and Salton Sea Communities: A Message from the New Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy
Hi everyone — as we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to introduce myself and affirm my commitment to continue delivering on SSMP obligations and accelerating the progress of our work at the sea.
My name is Joe Shea, and I was recently appointed as Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency by Governor Newsom. I have been in this role since December of 2024, and previously spent the past seven years working for Governor Newsom – where I saw firsthand the incredible work the SSMP team has led to advance our Salton Sea commitments.
I am both proud of what the SSMP team has accomplished in recent years and clear-eyed about the fact that much work remains. As we continue to expand the impact of our program to protect public health and restore key ecological functions at the sea, I want you to know that our team is working with a keen sense of urgency to improve conditions at the Salton Sea for the benefit of communities who call this region home.
Progress and Commitments:
Environmental Restoration Projects: We continue to deploy funding for dust suppression and aquatic habitat restoration projects to help protect air quality and restore wildlife habitat to meet our commitment of 29,800 total acres around the Sea. These projects address impacts of the shrinking sea and create environmental benefits.
Health and Community Wellbeing: Last year, the SSMP’s parent agency – the California Natural Resources Agency – commissioned the release of the Salton Sea Community Needs Report, which details actions and recommendations for advancing health and community wellbeing for Salton Sea communities. Our team will continue to seek opportunities and partnerships to advance this work.
Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration: Achieving meaningful progress at the Salton Sea requires both coordination across the organizations working to realize a brighter future for the Salton Sea and a commitment to ongoing outreach and public engagement. We will continue to foster strong partnerships through a robust outreach and engagement schedule in 2025 that we will have more detail on soon.
Looking Forward:
We are focused on making progress on a number of critical workstreams this year:
East Pond 1: As we continue to build out our largest project at the sea, the Species Conservation Habitat project, we aim to complete the expansion of a key component of this project — East Pond 1 — this summer. Filling East Pond 1 is a critical step towards advancing our aquatic habitat projects that suppress dust and create fish habitat.
Vegetation Enhancement: Vegetation enhancement work at the Clubhouse, Tule Wash, and West Bombay Beach sites also continues at a rapid pace. With seeding and planting ongoing for these sites, we expect establishing more vegetation in exposed lakebed as we progress through the year – another critical tool for suppressing dust consistent with our program’s Dust Suppression Action Plan.
Salton Sea Conservancy: This Spring, we also anticipate releasing our proposal to create the Salton Sea Conservancy – the State’s first new conservancy in 15 years. This conservancy was advanced by last year’s Senate Bill 583 and the Climate Bond passed by voters in November. The Salton Sea Conservancy will complement the SSMP’s project delivery efforts by taking on operation and maintenance roles for completed SSMP projects. By assuming this role, the Conservancy stands to ensure SSMP projects deliver benefits for Salton Sea communities and environmental ecosystems long into the future.
Annual Report: In March, we will deliver our Annual Report, which will detail the year-over-year work our team has done to advance our commitments at the sea. We anticipate having multiple engagement opportunities to talk with community members and interested parties about the work we’re doing and hear their input.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
I am here to work alongside you to advance our next phase of work at the Salton Sea. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or the rest of the SSMP team with questions or ideas about how we can continue to work together.
Onward,
Joe
Governor’s January Budget Recap
This month, Governor Newsom released his January budget proposal, which includes $147.6 million for Salton Sea Restoration projects. This funding was made available by the Climate Bond, which California voters passed in November 2024. If this funding proposal is approved by the Legislature later this year, the SSMP team will put this funding to work immediately to advance our critical, high-priority projects at the sea that deliver public health and environmental benefits.
Engagement Opportunities
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. – ~6:00 p.m. The one-day workshop will be hosted in a in-person location in Coachella Valley (exact location will be announced at a later time), 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 into the Water Board Salton Sea page at waterboards.ca.gov/saltonsea/.
SSMP Partners in the Community
Growing in Community
In November, The EcoMedia Compass led the Tree for All Planting event in the community of Desert Shores. An enthusiastic group of local volunteers, joined by others that heard about this event on social media and traveling longer distances, came together to plant 36 mesquites, 2 palo verde, and 1 desert willow tree. The site hosted by The EcoMedia Compass had an irrigation system ready to be deployed as trees began to be planted ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.
The SSMP team joined this community event at the Sea. Public Affairs Officer, Miguel Hernández provided updates on SSMP restoration projects and joined the group to support the tree planting effort. We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to this important community-driven event.
Miguel Hernández and Tom Sephton digging to plant a new mesquite tree. — The EcoMedia Compass Photo
More Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles in Imperial Valley
Comite Civico del Valle Board members cut the ceremonial ribbon at the unveiling of new EV fast charging stations on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Brawley. — CCV Photo
As part of the Lithium Valley EV Equity Charger Initiative, Comite Civico Del Valle (CCV) recently celebrated the installation of new electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations at the El Centro Public Library and CCV’s headquarters in Brawley. This initiative is a community owned non-profit model to construct and operate an EV charging station network in the Imperial Valley.
In Brawley, the ceremony’s program included the participation from California Energy Commissioner Noemi Gallardo, local elected officials, UAW Region 6, and staff representatives from the State Assembly and Senate. The event was hosted by Luis Olmedo, CCV’s Executive Director.
Filling the air with vibrant music and joy, Mariachi Acero del Valle made this celebration even more special. Honoring the regional culture and celebratory traditions.
Through this initiative, CCV has installed 16 fast-charging publicly accessible charging stations across the Imperial Valley. CCV has successfully installed other fast charging stations in the City of Calexico and City of Calipatria. The Lithium Valley EV Equity Charger Initiative is partly funded through the California Energy Commission’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project.
EV charging station at El Centro Public Library, 1198 North Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA. — CCV Photo
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.
