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.
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
Partners Visit the Species Conservation Habitat and Vegetation Enhancement Projects
Over the past year, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) team has put a strong emphasis on showcasing the restoration work being undertaken by the SSMP at the Species Conservation Habitat Project and Vegetation Enhancement Projects at the Salton Sea. The SSMP team has led numerous site visits and tours for partners, agencies from different governmental levels, and students from the Salton Sea region. The SSMP team is sharing lessons learned, challenges, and accomplishments, as well as identifying opportunities for collaboration with partner agencies.
Recently, staff from the California State Parks, Ocotillo Wells District, and State Parks Director Armando Quintero visited the SCH Project. The visit included a project presentation and a site tour. The SSMP team provided project details during the tour and received recommendations from State Parks to enhance the existing vision for the project and create cohesiveness with the Salton Sea State Recreation Area.
State Parks included a very descriptive report on this visit in their recent Weekly Digest newsletter.
Parks Staff and SSMP Team at the boat launch ramp at the end of the causeway, adjacent to the saline pump station.
At the New River diversion structure. Left to right: Ocotillo Wells District Superintendent Enrique Arroyo, State Parks Director Armando Quintero, CNRA Deputy Assistant Secretary Mario Llanos and CNRA Public Affairs Officer Miguel Hernandez.
Earlier this month, the SSMP, in collaboration with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), welcomed staff from Federal and Utah State Agencies. The aim was to share information on restoration efforts at the Salton Sea while concurrently fostering an inter-state relationship among regions facing similar challenges.
The gathering was located at the Species Conservation Habitat Project at the southern end of the Salton Sea. Here, participants received an update from the SSMP on its ongoing restoration work. Additionally, IID provided a detailed presentation of the science behind its Salton Sea Air Quality Mitigation Program and Proactive Dust Control Plan. The presentations resulted in a robust dialogue and exchange of ideas.
SSMP team providing a project presentation to visiting group. Attendees included representatives from the US Bureau of Reclamation, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the United States Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center. They were joined by Utah State officials from The Great Salt Lake Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Water Resources and the Fire and State Lands Division of Forestry.
At the saline pump station, the group was provided with more specifics on each of the project components, included the saline pump station, the New River Diversion structure, and the nesting islands.
Given the parallels between the challenges faced by the Great Salt Lake and the Salton Sea, the Utah delegation was interested in learning more about the Salton Sea’s challenges and restoration actions underway or planned. Utah officials wanted to identify how these lessons could help inform future actions at the Great Salt Lake.
The visit also included a tour of the SSMP’s Vegetation Enhancement Clubhouse project site near Salton City. The event served as a platform for collaborative information sharing, fostering new and existing partnerships, meaningful conversations, and setting the stage for future beneficial exchanges.
Visiting the Vegetation Enhancement Clubhouse site near Salton City. The SSMP team provided details about the phases of the project, its current conditions, and lessons learned.
SSMP Community Meetings are set for May 8, 9, and 10. 2024 SSMP Annual Report
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.
Salton Sea Authority Sets a Community Meeting for April 30
The Salton Sea Authority and its Project Manager, Gafcon, are hosting an in-person community planning meeting for the Desert Shores Channel Restoration Project on April 30 at 6:00 p.m.
A presentation will be provided. Participate, ask your questions, and provide your ideas, thoughts, and input on the visioning, designs, and plans to restore the channels.
Tuesday, April 30 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 50 Desert Shores Drive Thermal, CA 92274
Spanish Interpretation will be provided. Habrá interpretación en español.
Programmatic Agreement is Available on Army Corps Website for Information and Review
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been continuing to work with federal cooperating agencies, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the SSMP team to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. A Programmatic Agreement has been drafted and is available on the Corps website for a 30-day public review, closing on May 20, 2024. Once finalized, the Programmatic Agreement will outline the Section 106 Process related to historic properties, including cultural and archeological resources, for all SSMP Phase 1: 10-Year Plan projects within the planning area covered by the Corps’ forthcoming final Environmental Assessment.
SSMP Team
SSMP Welcomes New Team Members
To continue delivering critical projects around the Salton Sea, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has filled two key vacancies at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Salton Sea Program.
Suzy Neal is CDFW’s new Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist focusing on compliance with the Integrated Science Team.
Born in Arizona, Suzy’s education, career, and professional endeavors landed her in California. She previously worked as a lab instructor for Intro to Biology courses at California State University, San Bernardino, and most recently at the Santa Ana Regional Water Board as the coordinator for the Irrigated Lands Regulatory and Nonpoint Source Programs.
She graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a B.A. in Biology and then an M.S. in Biology with a focus on population genetics, ecology, and conservation. Suzy is excited to join the SSMP team and use her expertise and passion to continue working towards a healthier Salton Sea ecosystem.
Crystal Shore is CDFW’s new Environmental Scientist with the Integrated Science Team focusing on biological monitoring and adaptive management.
Crystal is a seasoned biologist who has worked in various ecosystems, from the grasslands of northern Montana to the deserts of New Mexico, the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. She holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and a minor in Fishery Biology. Currently residing in the Imperial Valley, she has developed a keen interest in exploring and learning about the desert around her. Crystal loves to take excursions into the desert to capture photographs of flowers and wildlife, and she enjoys spending quality time with her family.
2024 SSMP Annual Report Submitted to State Water Board
The California Natural Resources Agency has submitted its 2024 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 2023 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 www.saltonsea.ca.gov under the Featured Documents heading.
Significant, measurable progress continued at the Salton Sea in 2023. The largest restoration project in the Sea’s history neared completion, which will suppress dust and restore habitat across thousands of acres at the south end of the Sea. In other areas along the Sea, hundreds of acres now host native vegetation recently planted to suppress dust over coming decades. These plants have taken root, are growing and are beginning to serve their purpose. This year also witnessed the first major investment by federal agencies to stabilize the Sea; the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation granted $70 million to accelerate local restoration projects. This funding is being put into action to start expanding the Species Conservation Habitat Project by an additional 1,000 acres.
Great progress also occurred to accelerate additional improvements under the current Phase 1: 10-Year Plan. Key planning and permitting advanced high priority restoration projects and key staff positions were filled on the Salton Sea Management Program to ramp up this work. Partnerships have strengthened with community groups and leaders that are helping shape our efforts at the Sea, and a long-planned Community Needs Report is nearing completion to galvanize further improvements at the Sea.
Aerial view looking north of the Species Conservation Habitat New River diversion system, the East and West Sedimentation Basins, and the New River and its riparian vegetation.
Recent plant growth at the Vegetation Enhancement Project Clubhouse site near the community of Salton City.
While we share constructive 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. Partnerships with communities, Tribal governments, interested parties, and local, state, and federal agencies are crucial to achieving the goals of the SSMP.
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 22, 2024. Details for this workshop are available on the State Water Board’s Salton Sea program webpage. In addition, the SSMP team plans to hold two in-person community workshops in the Salton Sea region and an online webinar in advance of the State Water Board’s workshop. The SSMP team will provide an overview of the report, share project updates, and answer questions on the work completed by the SSMP during 2023. These meetings are being planned for early May. More details on these community workshops are forthcoming and will be announced via the SSMP e-Newsletter and on the SSMP website.
High School Students Visit Project at the Salton Sea
Young leaders from the Youth Environmental Health Internship (YEHI), a program led by Comité Cívico del Valle, visited the Species Conservation Habitat Project (SCH). Students from different high schools toured the project site to learn how it helps protect public health by suppressing dust from the 4,100-acres project area. Salton Sea Management Program staff shared SCH project features that will mix water from the Salton Sea and New River and then spread it over exposed lakebed to suppress dust and provide habitat for the Desert Pupfish and migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway.
“I genuinely wish we knew more about this in our education system, because it impacts our health in the here and now,” said Terry Partida Rodriguez, a 12th grade student (recent graduate) from Brawley Union High School. “I think this was a great opportunity to learn more about the Salton Sea Management Program and to really see what they’re doing. I hope more people get the opportunity to get involved with the environment just like us!”
“I found the project fascinating and as an eye-opening experience because many people in the Imperial Valley don’t realize how much diversity we have,” said Fernanda Cruz, a YEHI intern and 10th grade student from Calexico High School. “The Imperial Valley can be perceived as a place with low biodiversity where we hardly see any species, however, that’s not the case. The SCH plans to recreate a large ecosystem for multiple species found in the area by combining water from the New River with water from the Salton Sea.”
On schedule for completion in 2023, the 4,100-acre SCH is the first of many projects the SSMP team is implementing as part of the SSMP Phase 1: 10-Year Plan.
Recap on 2023 State Water Board Salton Sea Workshop
The State Water Resources Control Board held its Annual Salton Sea Workshop on May 16 and May 17 at Imperial Valley College. A remote viewing location at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club and a virtual viewing option were also provided. The public workshop included presentations and updates from multiple agencies and organizations working towards improving conditions at the Sea. Presentations included an overview of the Water Board’s role, an update from the SSMP, an overview of the Monitoring Implementation Plan, an overview of the Community Needs Strategy, a recap of the Salton Sea Long-Range Plan, and an overview of the Salton Sea Feasibility Study being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To enrich the conversations, the workshop also included panels with experts in different realms. The panels included discussions on hydrology and the Colorado River drought, habitat and wildlife, air quality and public health, water quality, and community voices and projects.
The SSMP team appreciates feedback received from meeting participants, presenters, and attendees. The SSMP would especially like to thank the Water Board for providing an opportunity to report on major milestones achieved in 2022, share more about upcoming projects, address relevant challenges for project delivery, and reiterate the State’s commitment to meeting the acreage goals to suppress dust emissions and improve ecological conditions at the Sea.
Water Board members and the public provided important feedback and recommendations to the SSMP team during the public workshop. Recommendations included providing more clarity to tables and graphics to report on progress achieved, updating the SSMP website to create a better user experience, and including a project visualization tool to find relevant updates for SSMP projects. The SSMP team has taken plenty of notes and will work to deliver on the recommendations to help contribute to the transparency and the clarity of the program.
The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing the Salton Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. These agencies are collectively known as the SSMP team.
In this edition, we are putting Samantha Arthur in the spotlight to share more about her important work, as part of the SSMP Team.
Samantha is the Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency for the for the Salton Sea Management Program. She has been serving in this role since April of 2023.
Hi Sam, can you tell us a bit more about your role at the SSMP?
As Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency, I lead the Salton Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. My charge is to carry out the Newsom Administration’s goal to stabilize the Salton Sea and restore nearly 30,000 acres of exposed lakebed to suppress dust and create habitat.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working with such a wide range of people at the Salton Sea, including local community members, community-based organizations, local elected representatives, water districts, and federal agencies. In my first two months in this role, I’ve been struck by the dedication and passion of community members, agency partners and SSMP staff.
What inspired you to seek a career in conservation and ecological restoration?
My most treasured experiences and memories are time spent with family and friends outdoors, whether its sports at a local park or camping in a remote wilderness. I think this must be what drew me to a career at the intersection of people and nature. I’ve continued pursue work in conservation and restoration for the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of people and ecosystems and for the challenge of working across diverse perspectives to develop durable change.
What is your vision for the future of the Salton Sea?
I envision improved air quality, improved habitat for birds and fish, and improved quality of life for folks living in shoreline communities, and Coachella and Imperial Valleys.
To continue delivering critical projects around the Salton Sea, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has filled a key vacancy at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Salton Sea Program.
Samantha (Sam) Przeklasa has recently rejoined CDFW’s Salton Sea program as an Environmental Scientist (Avian Biologist) with a renewed enthusiasm for the region and the conservation work being done.
Sam has a B.S. from UC Davis in wildlife fisheries and conservation biology and an A.S. in Geographic Information Systems from American River College. She has previous experience working for agencies including USGS, U.S. Forest Service and CDFW focused on avian species including Northern Goshawk, Spotted Owls, Greater Sage Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasants and other upland birds and waterfowl. She looks forward to continuing to help with avian monitoring and conservation efforts at the Sea.
She has a huge love of birding, especially by ear and enjoys native gardening (for the birds of course!). Her next love is coffee, and she recommends that everyone look up bird friendly coffee, a Smithsonian Institute certification supporting greater biodiversity in coffee production. She finds that the best way to learn about something is to experience it on the ground level in the field, preferably with her dogs. She looks forward to applying these passions in the field and to further avian conservation.
Upcoming SSMP Engagement Opportunities
REMINDER: Join the SSMP Community Workshop TOMORROW
The SSMP team invites you to participate in its next SSMP Community Workshop on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Attendees may participate in person or virtually and learn about projects underway and current planning efforts at the Sea; get an in-depth overview of the recently released 2023 SSMP Annual Report; and meet with members of the State’s Salton Sea team to ask questions and learn more about progress made at the Salton Sea during 2022.
Please join us in person at Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tameka Gym, 66725 Martinez Road, Thermal, CA 92274. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Facebook Live in Spanish will also be broadcasted on the “Salton Sea COEE” page.
SSMP Community Workshop on Annual Report – April 20, 5:30 p.m. In-person location: Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tameka Gym, 66725 Martinez Road, Thermal, CA 92274. Zoom Link: http://bit.ly/SaltonSeaWorkshop Dial: (305) 226-1968. Facebook Live in Spanish: “Salton Sea COEE” page
Spanish Interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación en español. This meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the SSMP website.
REMINDER: State Water Board Salton Sea Workshop set for May 16 & 17
The State Water Board will be holding its annual workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program on May 16, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and May 17, 2023, from 5:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
The meeting will take place over two days and will provide live interpretation in Spanish, with multiple options for participation: 1) in-person at Imperial Valley College, 2) remote viewing at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, and 3) virtually via Zoom (to provide comment) or webcast (watch-only).
Every year, the California Natural Resources Agency provides an update to the State Water Board and interested parties on the progress that has been made on the Salton Sea Management Program. The workshop is an opportunity for participants to provide input to the State Water Board regarding the status of the Salton Sea Management Program. Input can be provided by submitting written comments in advance or providing oral comments on either day of the workshop.
Work Continues at Vegetation Enhancement Projects Around the Salton Sea
A mixture of native plant seed was placed between the rows of grass bales that were placed during phase-1 of the Vegetation Enhancement Projects at Clubhouse and West Bombay Beach sites.
The SSMP is implementing the vegetation enhancement projects in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation near communities around the Salton Sea. The projects cover approximately 1,700 acres and are located near the communities of Salton City and Bombay Beach. The projects aim to establish and enhance native vegetation on the exposed lakebed to reduce wind-blown dust and improve habitat value for desert wildlife. Native plants being established at the project sites include iodine bush, big saltbush, salt grass, honey mesquite, palo verde, among others still being considered.
Phase 1 of the Vegetation Enhancement Projects consists of grading, grass bale placement, and site modifications in the project areas. Grass bales will help protect plants and vegetation that will be coming into the projects as part of the phase 2, which includes planting and/or seeding and irrigation. Until sites get planted, the bales create a form engineered surface roughening for interim dust suppression, important to the nearby communities.
The SSMP team was successful in getting approximately 290 acres seeded within the existing rows of grass bales at Clubhouse and West Bombay Beach sites. This work was done as part of the second phase of these projects during the months of November and December. At the request of residents at our public meetings, we will be adding native trees to complement our native shrub mix throughout all sites, where feasible.
A total of 1,085 acres of vegetation enhancement projects began implementation in 2022. The team is working with local nurseries to grow out tens of thousands of plants for placement during this winter/spring season. Seeding and planting will continue over the next couple of months.
SSMP Team Employee Spotlight
The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing the Salton
Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. These agencies are collectively known as the SSMP team.
In this edition, we are putting Steven Garcia in the spotlight to share more about his important work, as part of the SSMP Team.
Garcia is a Senior Engineer at the California Department of Water Resources for the for the Salton Sea Management Program. He oversees the engineering design and implementation of Vegetation Enhancement and Dust Suppression Projects.
Hi Steven, can you tell us a bit more about your role at the SSMP?
Hello, I am a Senior Engineer with the SSMP, and my main role is to coordinate the engineering design and implementation of Vegetation Enhancement and Dust Suppression Projects. I work with biologist, ecologist, geologist, and other engineers to develop project designs that will result in vegetation on Salton Sea exposed lakebed. My day-to-day duties include planning and designing, developing bid packages, and coordinating construction activities for vegetation enhancement projects. These 2-phased projects were designed to immediately reduce dust emitting from within the project limits, by using bales, and are currently being planted with native vegetation that will continue to limit dust emissions into the future.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
The part about my job that I enjoy most is working with a diverse group of professionals to come up with project designs in a difficult environment to work in. Trying to establish thousands of plants has its challenges, but doing so in a remote, arid, and extremely hot environment is even more difficult. The project areas are not just remote but are also not easily accessible with typical equipment. We’ve had to come up with innovative engineering solutions, adapting to unforeseen constraints, to successfully construct dust suppression projects, and provide water to plants and seeds.
What inspired you to seek a career in implementing and managing ecological restoration projects?
I started my career with DWR as a student assistant with the South-Central Regional Office, working on the San Joaquin River Restoration Project (SJRRP). As a student, I worked with biologist, engineers, and geologist to survey and monitor the river from Friant Dam to the Chowchilla bypass. This was the first time I ever saw a river run dry. It was unconceivable to me that the San Joaquin River could just run dry and end. The US Bureau of Reclamation released pulse flows as part of this program so that we could monitor gravel bed mobility. Over the three (3) years I worked as a student on the SJRRP, I saw the river go from a dying ecosystem to one that was thriving due to the pulse releases. Seeing the River come back to life by just adding water gave me hope that there is still a chance to restore or enhance the natural environment. Before my time in the SJRRP, I wanted to be a structural engineer who designs tall buildings and bridges. After my experience working on the SJRRP, I decided to focus on environmental and water resources engineering, to do my part, and make it possible for the natural and human ecosystems to co-exist and thrive.
What is your vision for the future of the Salton Sea?
I see the Salton Sea being divided into brackish ponds that will host fish to support the millions of migrating birds of the pacific flyway, and other brackish/saltwater ponds for recreation. Fully established vegetation enhancement projects will cover the exposed lakebed of the Salton Sea and will be protecting the community by reducing dust emissions from it. The vegetation will also provide habitat for local wildlife. I would love to see a rim trail, for pedestrians and bicycles, around the Sea that would connect all projects so people may experience the Sea in its entirety.
Overall, I envision the Salton Sea as place where we people from around the world will be able to come recreate and enjoy the beautiful ecosystem that has been conserved. Potentially being inspired to create beautiful art or to converse the natural environment from where they reside.
Thank you Steven!
Welcome a New SSMP Team Member
AnaLisa Saldaña is a new Staff Services Analyst in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as part of the SSMP team. She is filling a position that became vacant last year and is based out of the Bermuda Dunes office. She is supporting with administrative tasks needed to make the program run smoothly.
AnaLisa was previously employed with the Department of Development Services-Canyon Springs as an Office Technician. She holds a degree in Liberal Arts and one in General Studies, both from Palo Verde College. Although AnaLisa is a native of the California low deserts, she has resided in the Coachella Valley since 2004. AnaLisa enjoys attending outdoor activities in the Coachella Valley and spending time with family and friends.
Share Your Feedback on the Draft Salton Sea Long-Range Plan
The Salton Sea Management Program has released the Draft Salton Sea Long-Range Plan for public review. This draft plan was developed with support from Tribal leadership, community-based organizations, and interested parties. The proposed concepts within the plan intend to protect or improve air quality, water quality, and wildlife habitat to reduce health and environmental consequences anticipated from the long-term recession of the Salton Sea.
Please visit SaltonSea.ca.gov to view the draft plan and provide your feedback. A Spanish version of this draft plan can also be found here.
Comments may be sent via email to SaltonSeaLRP@resources.ca.gov, or via regular mail to the California Natural Resources Agency, Attn: Salton Sea Long-Range Plan Review, 715 P Street, 20th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814. Please send your comments on or before March 17 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Following the receipt of comments on March 17, the long-range planning effort will become part of a feasibility study led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. SSMP will partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Salton Sea Authority to undertake this feasibility study. The official title of the feasibility study is: Imperial Streams Salton Sea and Tributaries Feasibility Study. Additional public input opportunities will be available during this process to shape and enhance the plan for future actions at the Sea.
Thank you for supporting the future of the Salton Sea!
SSMP Community Workshop set for March 1
Join the SSMP Team on a virtual community workshop on March 1, at 5:30 p.m. During the workshop, the team will provide program updates and seek your feedback to help continue shaping the future of the Sea. Spanish interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación al español.
Meeting details, Zoom link, materials, and other documents are forthcoming and will be uploaded to the SSMP website as they become available. For questions or comments, please contact: Cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov.
Celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth on Feb. 3 at 9:30am w/“Career Pathways: Black & African Americans in State Service” where we will share resources & knowledge to plan for & achieve meaningful #statejobs. Topics: benefits, recruitment, & how 2 apply. Register👉http://bit.ly/3RbiAUW
The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has posted its Draft Salton Sea Long-Range Plan for public review and comment.Developed with support from Tribal leadership, community-based organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies, the draft plan identifies concepts for long-term restoration of the Sea beyond the scope of the SSMP’s Phase 1: 10-Year Plan.
The goal of the plan is to protect or improve air quality, water quality, and wildlife habitat to prevent or reduce health and environmental consequences anticipated from the long-term recession of the Salton Sea.
A Spanish version of the draft plan will be available in early January on the SSMP website. The posting of the Spanish version will begin a 45-day comment period. Comments may be sent via email to SaltonSeaLRP@resources.ca.gov, or via regular mail to the California Natural Resources Agency, Attn: Salton Sea Long-Range Plan Review, 715 P Street, 20th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814.
Once the plan is finalized, the long-range planning effort will transition to an environmental review process led by a federal partnering agency. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will undertake this process in partnership with the Salton Sea Management Program and the Salton Sea Authority through the Imperial Streams Salton Sea and Tributaries Feasibility Study.
In the future, there will continue to be multiple opportunities to provide comments and input to shape and enhance the plan for future actions at the Sea. A Public Scoping period will provide opportunities for tribes, community members, responsible agencies, regional public agencies, and interested parties to comment on: locations, capacities, and operations of new structures and facilities to evaluate in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); alternatives to evaluate in the EIR/EIS; impacts and mitigation to evaluate in the EIR/EIS; and other issues that the lead agency should consider for the EIR/EIS.
The Long-Range Plan is being developed as a second phase beyond the Phase 1: 10-year Plan projects that aim to improve conditions by constructing 30,000 acres of habitat and dust suppression projects by the year 2028, which will establish at least 14,900 acres of aquatic habitat, with the purpose of suppressing dust emissions and improving ecological conditions at the Salton Sea.
Local, State and Federal Agencies to Partner in Feasibility Study for Long-Term Restoration of the Salton Sea
Signatories of a Cost-Share Agreement: G. Patrick O’Dowd, Executive Director/ General Manager, Salton Sea Authority (Left); Col. Julie Balten, Commander, Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (center); Cindy Messer, Lead Deputy Director, California Department of Water Resources (Right).
The Salton Sea Management Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District and the Salton Sea Authority have signed an agreement launching a study aimed at identifying projects and actions for the long-term restoration of the Salton Sea. A Cost-Share Agreement was signed at a recent ceremony at the North Shore Yacht Club in Mecca on December 16.
The Corps has received funding to initiate and complete the Imperial Streams Salton Sea and Tributaries Feasibility Study, which will investigate and recommend projects and/or actions to contribute to improved public health and potential environmental restoration opportunities for communities around the Salton Sea.
The study will build on the Salton Sea Management Program’s Long-Range Plan document, released as a draft for public comment on December 15. The cost-share agreement brings together a diverse set of skills and experience from the three agencies and creates a framework for working collaboratively. Additionally, the agreement could potentially lead to significant additional investments for the long-term restoration of the Salton Sea.
Salton Sea Monitoring Implementation Plan Completed
Developed in collaboration with the SSMP Science Committee, the Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) is a regional-scale monitoring plan for the Salton Sea ecosystem. It describes monitoring activities to measure conditions of water, air quality, land cover, biological resources, and socioeconomics. The MIP provides a framework for future project-scale monitoring plans and identifies and prioritizes filling of existing data gaps. It also promotes practices to best store, manage, and make monitoring data publicly available in a timely manner.
Working groups were formed to provide input and review of early drafts of the MIP in July-August 2021. Invited members to these working groups included key Salton Sea experts and stakeholders in several resource areas: hydrology and water quality; air quality and geography (land cover); biological resources; socioeconomics; and data management. The Draft MIP was released at a public workshop in February 2022 to solicit input and comments from the public and the SSMP Science Committee. The Science Committee’s comments were reviewed by the working groups in July-August 2022 and considered in preparation of the 2022 final MIP. The MIP is a living document that can be updated in future to respond to the changing ecosystem and management needs of the Salton Sea.
A copy of the MIP can be found here. La version es español del MIP se encuentra aquí.
Respond to the Salton Sea
Community Amenities Survey Today!
In recognition of the need for greater investments in communities in the Salton Sea region, CNRA is supporting the development of a Community Amenities Strategy document. The goal of the document is to identify community amenities that can be undertaken within SSMP projects, as well as to identify additional broader regional needs that fall outside the scope of the SSMP. The Community Amenities Strategy will focus on core strategies related to recreation and equitable access, climate resilience, education and programming, transportation, broadband access, public health, and workforce.
Community feedback is integral to the formation of the Salton Sea Community Amenities Strategy to ensure the document reflects the needs of communities at and around the Sea. This month and through January, Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) and Better World Group (BWG) are conducting a survey to collect responses from residents around the Salton Sea. Results from this survey will help inform a strategy that includes recommendations for how to incorporate community needs into restoration efforts at the Sea and identify opportunities for meaningful investments and policies change outside of the scope of the SSMP. The English survey is linked here. La encuesta en español se encuentra aquí. Survey respondents will receive $10 for completing this 5-minute survey. Feel free to share the survey with your respective organizations, community partners, and community residents.
In the coming weeks, KDI and BWG will also be hosting workshops and engagement activities at local community events to collect input, advice, and ideas from residents, in both Riverside and Imperial Counties. Community members with ideas on events to attend, community residents that should be part of focus group work, or who want to be involved are encouraged to contact Daniel Garcia at daniel@kounkuey.org.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
SSMP Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mario Llanos presenting at Calipatria High School library on December 7.
The Salton Sea Management Program team thanks each of you for your continued participation, support, and engagement on the Salton Sea. We thank all of those who are actively engaged in the multiple spaces that the SSMP has created for partners and community members to help contribute to achieving substantial progress for restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem.
With over 30 engagement opportunities throughout 2022, we acknowledge and appreciate the active interest and participation from tribal representatives, members of the SSMP Committees, and community members of the Salton Sea region. Online public meetings included the Community Engagement Committee, the Science Committee, the Long -Range Plan Committee, public meetings from our partners for the Environmental Assessment of the 10-Year Plan Projects, and most recently, the first in-person SSMP Community Meeting on December 7, 2022 at the Calipatria High School library.
The SSMP team is looking forward to a productive 2023 to continue to enhance the presence in the community as well as creating spaces for continued collaboration and community participation.
Click here to receive Salton Sea Community Updates.
The SSMP team appreciates feedback received from meeting participants, presenters, and attendees. The SSMP would especially like to thank the Water Board for providing an opportunity to report on major milestones achieved in 2022, share more about upcoming projects, address relevant challenges for project delivery, and reiterate the State’s commitment to meeting the acreage goals to suppress dust emissions and improve ecological conditions at the Sea.
The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing the Salton Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. These agencies are collectively known as the SSMP team.
Samantha (Sam) Przeklasa has recently rejoined CDFW’s Salton Sea program as an Environmental Scientist (Avian Biologist) with a renewed enthusiasm for the region and the conservation work being done.
AnaLisa Saldaña is a new Staff Services Analyst in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as part of the SSMP team. She is filling a position that became vacant last year and is based out of the Bermuda Dunes office. She is supporting with administrative tasks needed to make the program run smoothly.
The Salton Sea Management Program has released the 
Developed in collaboration with the SSMP Science Committee, the Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) is a regional-scale monitoring plan for the Salton Sea ecosystem. It describes monitoring activities to measure conditions of water, air quality, land cover, biological resources, and socioeconomics. The MIP provides a framework for future project-scale monitoring plans and identifies and prioritizes filling of existing data gaps. It also promotes practices to best store, manage, and make monitoring data publicly available in a timely manner.
