{"id":10904,"date":"2019-10-25T14:29:19","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T18:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/?p=10904"},"modified":"2020-12-01T14:27:30","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T19:27:30","slug":"salton-sea-shrinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/2019\/10\/25\/salton-sea-shrinking\/","title":{"rendered":"State plans to jump-start Salton Sea work, but locals remain frustrated"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post was co-authored by Pablo Garza and Ronna Kelly.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Salton Sea is California\u2019s largest lake, but it\u2019s hard to grasp its immense size \u2013 and beauty \u2013 until you see it with you own eyes. Last week, roughly 200 people gathered in this unique area \u2013 both residents and leaders from around the Salton Sea and from outside the region \u2013 for the Salton Sea Summit<\/a>, a conference that explored the many challenges and solutions facing the Salton Sea region.<\/p>\n

The summit was important because, as California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot noted during his keynote on the first day, the Salton Sea has “major problems.”<\/p>\n

Chief among these: The Salton Sea is receding.<\/p>\n

The shrinking of the Salton Sea is a longer-term trend that was exacerbated by the largest rural-urban water transfer in the U.S., finalized in 2003. Under the transfer, the Imperial Irrigation District agreed to send up to 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water per year to Los Angeles and San Diego. Since 2003, the Sea has receded more rapidly, exposing some 40 acres of new shoreline and toxic dust. This dust, in turn, is contributing to already poor air quality and high rates of respiratory illnesses in the region.<\/p>\n

As part of the transfer agreement, the state committed to thousands of acres of dust suppression and habitat restoration projects, and state lawmakers and voters have approved $365 million in funding for such projects. \u00a0But action has long been stalled, and local residents and leaders are fed up.<\/p>\n

This frustration was evident at the summit and reached a boiling point on Tuesday when the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to declare a local emergency<\/a> for air pollution at the Salton Sea. The vote came just days after state leaders stressed efforts to jump-start long-delayed projects at the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Salton Sea is California\u2019s largest lake, covering 330 square miles, and a major drop along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds. But it is receding, threatening to create a public health and ecological crisis. (Photo Credit: Kevin Dooley<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

From popular destination to ecological tragedy<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is easy to understand why residents are frustrated and want to see more action to restore and protect this sometimes otherworldly place. As Crowfoot noted, the Salton Sea is like putting Lake Tahoe in the desert with dramatic mountains as the backdrop.<\/p>\n

The Sea is also a critical stopping point along the Pacific Flyway for nearly 400 bird species. And, not that long ago, it was a popular recreation spot for residents and tourists alike.<\/p>\n

More recently the Sea has made news headlines for massive bird die-offs<\/a> as it shrinks and salinity increases.<\/p>\n

The state needs to step up quickly to make up for lost time. The Newsom administration has gotten off to a good start, but much more is required. Still, there are some signs of hope.<\/p>\n

Will promises finally be fulfilled? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Crowfoot noted that he has visited the Salton Sea \u201cfour or five times\u201d since becoming secretary in January. \u201cOur focus now is not making more promises but getting projects done on the ground,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really optimistic.\u201d<\/p>\n

He highlighted the upcoming milestones:<\/p>\n