Introduction to the Salton Sea Wetlands Project

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, has been facing severe environmental issues due to its steady retreat, exposing large stretches of dusty lake bed to the desert winds. To address this problem, California officials have initiated a project to create wetlands that will provide habitat for fish and birds and help control lung-damaging dust. Water began flowing from a pipe onto hundreds of acres of dry, sunbaked lake bed as part of this effort.

Background of the Salton Sea’s Environmental Issues

The Salton Sea has been sustained by water draining off farms in the Imperial Valley, but it has been shrinking since the early 2000s, when the Imperial Irrigation District began selling a portion of its Colorado River water to growing urban areas. The lake’s level has declined about 13 feet since 2003, and its water is now about twice as salty as the ocean, causing drastic declines in fish and bird populations.

The Impact of the Shrinking Salton Sea on Local Communities

The shrinking Salton Sea has also had a significant impact on the local communities, particularly low-income, predominantly Latino communities, where people suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses at high rates. The windblown dust from the dry shorelines contributes to harmful air pollution, making it essential to address the environmental problems at the Salton Sea.

The Species Conservation Habitat Project

The Species Conservation Habitat Project is a central effort in California’s plan to improve conditions at the Salton Sea. The $200-million project was originally envisioned to cover 4,100 acres, but the state’s latest plan calls for expanding the project to more than 9,000 acres using an additional $245 million in federal funds. The project involves filling a complex of shallow ponds near the south shore of the Salton Sea with a mix of saltwater from the lake and freshwater from the New River.

The First Phase of the Project

The first phase of the project has been completed, with water flowing into a newly constructed basin and spreading across cracked soil. This milestone marks the beginning of the creation of thousands of acres of habitat for wildlife, including birds that use the Salton Sea as a rest stop on the Pacific Flyway. The project is designed to create lower-salinity habitats where fish and birds can thrive, helping to rebound declining bird populations.

The Importance of the Project

The project is crucial for the local communities and the environment, as it will help suppress harmful dust and provide habitat for thousands of acres of wildlife. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot celebrated the milestone, stating that the project is "proof positive that difficult things, difficult projects are possible." The project is also seen as a significant achievement by environmental advocates, who believe it will help bird populations rebound.

Expansion of the Project

The state plans to expand the project to more than 9,000 acres, using additional federal funds. The expansion will involve the creation of more shallow-water habitats with lower salinity levels, similar to those the lake provided more than three decades ago. This will help birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, where shorebirds that depend on shrinking saline lakes have suffered declines in recent decades.

Other Efforts to Address the Salton Sea’s Environmental Issues

In addition to the Species Conservation Habitat Project, other efforts are being made to address the environmental issues at the Salton Sea. The group Audubon California has announced that it will receive a $5.2-million grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board to support a 564-acre wetland habitat project on the lake’s east shore near the community of Bombay Beach.

Conclusion

The creation of wetlands at the Salton Sea is a significant step towards addressing the environmental problems plaguing the lake. The project will provide habitat for fish and birds, help control lung-damaging dust, and improve conditions for local communities. While there is still much work to be done, the progress made so far is a positive sign that the state is committed to improving the environment and public health in the region.

FAQs

• What is the Salton Sea, and why is it important?
  The Salton Sea is California’s largest lake, providing habitat for fish and birds and supporting local communities. However, it has been facing severe environmental issues due to its steady retreat.
• What is the Species Conservation Habitat Project, and what are its goals?
  The Species Conservation Habitat Project is a central effort in California’s plan to improve conditions at the Salton Sea. The project aims to create thousands of acres of habitat for wildlife, including birds that use the Salton Sea as a rest stop on the Pacific Flyway.
• How will the project help local communities?
  The project will help suppress harmful dust and provide habitat for thousands of acres of wildlife, improving conditions for local communities and supporting public health.
• What other efforts are being made to address the environmental issues at the Salton Sea?
  In addition to the Species Conservation Habitat Project, other efforts are being made, including a 564-acre wetland habitat project on the lake’s east shore near the community of Bombay Beach.
• How much will the project cost, and how will it be funded?
  The project is estimated to cost $200 million, with an additional $245 million in federal funds allocated for expansion. The project will be funded by a combination of state and federal funds.