More Funding, More Habitat Improvement through Expanded Salton Sea Restoration Project
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.
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.
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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
Community Meetings on 2024 SSMP Annual Report
SSMP Community Meetings are set for May 8, 9, and 10
The SSMP team is hosting two in-person meetings and a virtual Zoom meeting on its 2024 Annual Report. Join us at one of the upcoming community meetings to learn more about what’s happening at the Salton Sea and how you can get involved.
Get an overview of the recently released 2024 SSMP Annual Report and learn more about restoration projects underway at the Sea. Learn about the SSMP Project Tracker and connect with the SSMP team to ask your questions and provide feedback.
Spanish interpretation will be provided. Habrá interpretación al español. All community members are welcome!
May 8, in-person:
Brawley Union High School 480 N. Imperial Ave, Brawley, CA 92227 Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
May 9, in-person:
Coachella Library 1500 6th Street, Coachella, CA 92236 Thursday, May 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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.
Salton Sea Management Program Annual Report
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.
SSMP e-Newsletter – January 2024
Upcoming SSMP Engagement Opportunities
Help us shape the future. Send Us Your Comments on the SSMP and Community Needs Report
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) has released a draft of the Salton Sea Management Program and Community Needs Report for a 60-day public comment period.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by community members and advocates over the past decades about the actions and inactions in the Salton Sea region, CNRA 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. The Salton Sea Management Program and Community Needs Report identifies community needs related to the Salton Sea, describes the status of SSMP efforts, and lists potential opportunities for the SSMP to address community needs while implementing restoration projects.
Accompanying the release of the SSMP report is a public draft of the Salton Sea Community Needs and Recommended Actions Report by Better World Group Advisors. This document reflects the broader feedback of community members and tribes in public comment letters, interviews, and work group sessions as a part of CNRA and Better World Group’s public engagement project. This report identifies community needs and recommends actions that can be taken by federal, state, and local government agencies, business organizations, philanthropy, community-based groups, and nonprofit organizations.
The SSMP is looking forward to your review and feedback by March 26, 2024. Please send us your written comments via email to cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov or via regular mail to:
Attn: Salton Sea Community Needs Report California Natural Resources Agency 715 P Street, 20th Floor Sacramento, CA, 9581475.
Finally, the SSMP team will be hosting three community meetings to share more about these documents and provide additional opportunities to gather live feedback and recommendations from those present. More information about these community meetings will be shared in the coming weeks.
CNRA 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.
SSMP Community Engagement Committee to Meet on February 9
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee will meet on February 9 at 1:00 p.m. for a virtual meeting on Zoom. Spanish Interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación en español.
SSMP Community Engagement Committee Meeting Click here to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87898898525 Or dial: +1 669 444 9171 Webinar ID: 878 9889 8525
SSMP Team
SSMP Welcomes New Team Members
To continue delivering critical projects around the Salton Sea, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has filled three key vacancies at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Salton Sea Program.
In December 2023, Barbara Barry joined the SSMP team as CDFW’s Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor for the newly formed Integrated Science Team. Barbara started her career as a CDFW Scientific Aid for the Bermuda Dunes office in 2006. She has a B.S. in General Biology from UC San Diego and a M.S. in Soil and Water Science from UC Riverside. She conducted her graduate research on the biogeochemistry and ecology of saline shallow ponds at the south end of the Salton Sea. She then worked as a Junior Specialist at UC Riverside modeling the water quality of shallow saline ponds using different pond designs and management strategies for the Species Conservation Habitat.
Barbara is very excited to return to the Salton Sea and to CDFW as the supervisor of the Integrated Science Team, based out of the CDFW Bermuda Dunes field office.
Diego Villalobos is the new GIS Research Data Specialist I for the Salton Sea Program. Diego’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the University of La Verne. He also obtained a master’s degree in geographic information from the University of Redlands.
Diego’s work experience ranges from working as a laboratory technician for the University of La Verne, a biological science technician for the USDA Forest Service, and an agriculture technician for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). In addition, he worked as the GIS specialist within CDFA’s emergency preparedness and response group, which primarily dealt with foreign animal disease outbreaks and natural disasters.
He is excited to join CDFW and the SSMP team because it feels like a natural fit for his life and career.
Earlier this month, Atalie Gomez joined the SSMP team as CDFW’s Water Resource Control Engineer. She graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and then she obtained a master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in environmental engineering.
Atalie was born and raised in the Imperial Valley, and she previously worked in a private company in San Diego before deciding she missed the desert heat and wanted to move back home.
Atalie is excited to work at the Salton Sea and join the SSMP team, headquartered in the Bermuda Dunes field office.
As communities continue to recover from the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary, active restoration projects around the Salton Sea report minimal construction damage in the wake of the storm.
Species Conservation Habitat Project Accommodates Flood Flows
The Species Conservation Habitat Project (SCH), located at the southern end of the Salton Sea, saw an increase in flows from the New River as a result of the storm. The increase amounted to twice the typical inflow during the active storm period.
The New River Diversion Structure is a major component of the overall SCH Project. It is also a flood control structure that will allow for water to go through without compromising the integrity of the project.
The New River Diversion Structure was able to adequately capture and retain water as planned. However, the floodgates were opened out of an abundance of caution even though rain levels and New River inflows were below the forecasted levels.
Flood gates at the New River Diversion Structure were opened to allow water to continue its way into the Sea.
After opening the floodgates, water continued its way and streamed through the New River until reaching the Salton Sea. The SCH was designed and built to undertake a 100-year flood event protecting the overall integrity of the project and helping protect adjacent land properties from flooding.
Water overtopped the interception ditch going into the flood buffer zone, causing some sediment to be deposited or removed from the berm.
With the substantial amount of water that came in, the interception ditch, another component of the SCH project, did overtop into the flood buffer zone. The interception ditch is designed to do that, by letting the water flow by gravity into the flood buffer zone. As a result of the overtopping, some erosion did occur in the berm situated between the interception ditch and the flood buffer zone.
Vegetation Enhancement Projects Report No Significant Damage
Some grass bales were moved around the sites in areas with high water flows where water collected formed streams.
Although Tropical Storm Hilary brought in a significant amount of water into the Sea’s shoreline, the Vegetation Enhancement Project sites report no significant damage within the project areas. Storm runoff eroded soil and created waterways known as ephemeral streams. Now that these streams have emerged, the SSMP team can plan to capture, divert, and spread stormwater in a more controlled manner in the future. In addition, these storm events allow the SSMP to better determine and identify the best areas to place the grass bales. Displaced bales will not be returned to their original placement.
This picture at Clubhouse site near Salton City shows how stormwater spread through the site. Existing and new vegetation will benefit from the recent rains.
In fact, the substantial amount of water that moved through the project areas is significantly beneficial for natural plant recruitment and supports existing younger plants across all vegetation enhancement sites.
Events like Tropical Storm Hilary give the SSMP an opportunity to see if projects are operating as designed and how to adaptively manage each project’s maintenance and reinforce any specific areas.
Desert Pupfish, the Only Fish Endemic to the Salton Sea
The SSMP is advancing projects at the Salton Sea to protect air quality and provide critical environmental habitat for birds along the Pacific Flyway. The 4,100-acre SCH project, located at the southern end of the Sea, will provide important fish and bird habitat, especially for the desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) that enter the Sea through the irrigation drains.
In a recent interview with SSMP’s Environmental Scientists and Biologists, we captured important information to share with you about the importance of this particular and iconic character in the Salton Sea’s ecosystem.
Members of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife provided the following interview:
Hi Charley, Sharon, and Brett, can you share with us some relevant details about the Desert Pupfish at the Sea?
The desert pupfish is the only fish endemic to the Salton sink and was listed as a California endangered species in 1980. It is a small, robust fish, usually less than three inches in length. The lifespan is typically one year but can be as long as three years or as short as six weeks. The desert pupfish tolerates an extreme range of environmental conditions such as: salinity levels ranging from fresh water up to almost double ocean water salinity (about 35 ppt); water temperatures as high as 108° F and as low as 40° F; and low oxygen levels.
Also, important to mention is that the desert pupfish may protect itself from threats and stressors is by diving down into the substrate.
Why is the desert pupfish found here?
Currently, natural populations of desert pupfish likely still occur in the Salton Sea immediately adjacent to irrigation drain and creek outflows, nearby shoreline pools, freshwater ponds and irrigation drains, as well as in portions of creeks/washes that are tributary to the Salton Sea. Desert pupfish historically occupied a variety of habitats ranging from springs and cienegas to margins or backwaters of large water bodies. Desert pupfish typically prefer clear waters having little to no velocity, sand-silt substrate, and moderate to abundant aquatic vegetation. These characteristics make the Salton Sink Basin of California, the Colorado River Delta, and Laguna Salada Basin in Mexico an adequate habitat areas for the desert pupfish to thrive.
What do they eat?
Desert pupfish are opportunistic omnivores, consuming algae, pieces of macrophytes, detritus, aquatic insects and larvae, aquatic crustaceans, snails, and occasionally their own eggs and young. They engage in pit digging, where the fish will excavate and defend an area of soft substrate while searching for food. Also worth mentioning that a study conducted in 1975 found that desert pupfish significantly reduced mosquito larvae, and therefore may be an ideal species to replace the non-native mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in controlling mosquito populations in the Salton Basin.
Why is the desert pupfish important to the Salton Sea’s ecosystem?
The desert pupfish is also a source of food for numerous native and non-native species in the Salton Basin, including various bird species such as black skimmer (Rynchops niger), mammals such as raccoons (Procyon lotor) and coyote (Canis latrans), aquatic beetles, non-native fishes and other non-native fauna such as red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera), and bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus).
How is the SSMP helping protect and enhance habitat for the desert pupfish at the Sea?
The Salton Sea Management Program is currently working to monitor and conserve the endangered desert pupfish habitat around the Salton Sea. The SCH project, although not fully completed and as work continues, endangered desert pupfish and a broad range of bird species already are actively using the new habitat created with completion of the interception ditch and other major important project milestones.
State Water Board launches Spanish webpage for Salton Sea
To continue supporting and addressing the need for translated information, the State Water Resources Control Board has created a Spanish webpage dedicated for the Salton Sea Management Program. This page mirrors the English version of this website, which includes direct links to the SSMP website and the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board webpage, meeting announcements, past recordings, and other relevant documents. Presentations from the 2023 Water Board Salton Sea Workshop are also found in both English and Spanish.
SSMP Community Engagement Committee to Meet on September 14
The SSMP Community Engagement Committee will meet at 2 p.m. September 14 for a virtual meeting on Zoom. Spanish Interpretation will be available. Habrá interpretación en español.
Join us for a quick overview of the Community Needs Strategy document. Additionally, we will workshop the Outreach Plan and Engagement Schedule ahead of the 60-day public comment period.
California Biodiversity Day takes place on September 7th of each year, marking the anniversary of the launch of the California Biodiversity Initiative in 2018. This annual event celebrates our state’s exceptional biodiversity, while also encouraging actions to protect it.
Come celebrate California’s biodiversity this year during the week of September 2nd – 10th!
Click here for more information and events. Please use the hashtag #CABiodiversity to share your biodiversity day adventures.
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SSMP e-Newsletter – June 2023
SSMP Community Engagement
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.
SSMP e-Newsletter – May 2023
Upcoming Salton Sea Engagement Opportunities
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.
CONFIRMED: Public Meetings for the Imperial Streams Salton Sea and Tributaries Feasibility Study set for May 18
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Salton Sea Management Program and the Salton Sea Authority, are hosting two virtual public scoping meetings on May 18 to begin a new feasibility study.
Please join us in the upcoming Public Meetings. Both meetings will contain the same information. You can participate at the most convenient time.
When: Thursday, May 18, 2023. At 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Facebook Live in Spanish will also be available at “Salton Sea COEE” page.
This study will aim to preserve or restore ecosystems of national significance; address an identified threat to public health, safety, or welfare and/or preserve or restore habitats of importance for federally protected species, including migratory birds; and contribute to other ongoing or planned federal, State, or local restoration initiatives.
The environmental analyses will take into consideration areas including but not limited to effects to the human environment, biological and cultural resources, Tribal resources and consultation, and California Natural Resources Agency consultation. At this initial phase of the study, a determination for the appropriate level of environmental documentation has yet to be established. Additional outreach and engagement will be scheduled after this initial phase of the study.
Please note that the Corps is in receipt of the public comments for the Salton Sea Management Program’s Salton Sea Long – Range Plan. Those comments previously submitted will be taken into consideration as part of this study. This initial scoping period will be an opportunity for additional or duplicative comments and suggestions regarding the restoration of the Salton Sea and its tributaries.
Comments or suggestions will be accepted from May 8, 2023, to June 6, 2023.
Comments should be mailed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Planning Division Attn: Emily Lester 3636 N. Central Avenue, Suite 900 Phoenix, AZ 85012
The English and Spanish Public Notice can be found here.
SSMP e-Newsletter – April 2023
SSMP Team
SSMP Welcomes New Team Member
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.
The New River Diversion Structure is a major component of the overall SCH Project. It is also a flood control structure that will allow for water to go through without compromising the integrity of the project.
Flood gates at the New River Diversion Structure were opened to allow water to continue its way into the Sea.
Water overtopped the interception ditch going into the flood buffer zone, causing some sediment to be deposited or removed from the berm.
Some grass bales were moved around the sites in areas with high water flows where water collected formed streams.
This picture at Clubhouse site near Salton City shows how stormwater spread through the site. Existing and new vegetation will benefit from the recent rains.
The SSMP is advancing projects at the Salton Sea to protect air quality and provide critical environmental habitat for birds along the Pacific Flyway. The 4,100-acre SCH project, located at the southern end of the Sea, will provide important fish and bird habitat, especially for the desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) that enter the Sea through the irrigation drains.
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.
