[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228809,"mediaKeyId","3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8","parentId",3466452,"title","Vegetation and bale arrays cut surface saltation in pilot Salton Sea projects; managers say mix of bales and plantings works fastest","audioSeconds",3925,"startMs",3315000,"endMs",7240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8&start=3315&end=7240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8/thumbnail_3315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228809/California/Vegetation-and-bale-arrays-cut-surface-saltation-in-pilot-Salton-Sea-projects-managers-say-mix-of-bales-and-plantings-works-fastest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228809-211be8eaa406ca35e16297fc13bf8595/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949959&Signature=BMFROFcG5kqB2g1ptVP62wprpEzDQHDaI1sRVKpcke2FT2GhYLUKqr78TtUSOWyRojsvfu24coeCNR2VgzKiIKQLyU0H2xXSqnwU9BiNgSrLasUVDW~7quK8Kn41gTETah01AVuZqxcBOJZAnrwMIPByOrSDxhSKZYS-e8eHGjoOaqpzHeI5cVg3MzuvTAzx5dGypppEGv7SnHKM95djsczHqxwGPevVxMMXhs~VN1MmTnJrGu4WoCNlN~I6ekhSyh3eFEftBDg8LOOZqBOHt5XG7ZC4lzhPdi1~pswitcir2tSzDxoTGDodOvFRCjfr7iANB5kbzRsXZl6BPrGZzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State Water Resources Control Board","date","2025-05-23T17:26:04.767Z","article","State project managers told the State Water Resources Control Board in Thermal on May 21 that vegetation enhancement and temporary bale arrays are suppressing wind‑driven sand transport at pilot sites around the Salton Sea. The workshop was informational; no board action was taken.

Lede/what happened: The Salton Sea Management Program reported monitoring results from vegetation enhancement projects at three pilot locations — commonly called the Clubhouse, Tully Wash and a Bombay Beach demonstration — where managers placed bale rows, seeded or planted native species and used irrigation to establish cover. Field transects and monitoring stations show immediate reductions in saltation (the near‑surface hopping of sand grains) and declines in measured particulate matter downstream of treated areas.

Key data reported: Salton Sea program presenters and engineers said site transects show reductions of saltation in treated areas typically in the 75–95% range versus upwind monitors. Staff reported that as vegetation establishes over months to years, saltation reductions increase toward the higher end of that range. Project sizes reported included approximately 399 acres at \"Clubhouse,\" about 1,215 acres at Tully Wash and smaller test plots (around 93 acres) at Bombay Beach; managers said additional phases were planned on adjacent IID land.

How it works: The program uses a staggered array of straw bales as a first line of defense and then plants native species with low‑volume drip irrigation. Bales slow near‑surface wind and trap coarse particles while seedlings establish; eventual plant canopy and root systems sustain suppression when irrigation winds down. Program engineers showed computational fluid dynamics modeling that aligns with field results, and a short video demonstrated dust being carried across a treated area but not being generated inside it.

Operational notes and constraints: Project managers said groundwater searches at some sites did not find usable aquifers, complicating irrigation plans; temporary water lines and other infrastructure are sometimes required. Staff highlighted a pending Wildlife Conservation Board grant application (about $5 million) to help fund turbines at Bombay Beach that would permit construction if approved.

Next steps: Managers plan to expand monitoring, optimize bale density and planting techniques (noting seeding sometimes matched planting success) and use lessons learned to reduce cost and labor per acre as projects scale. A statewide project tracker and the SSMP project portal will carry updates and monitoring results.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State Water Resources Control Board Meeting/Workshop - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","State project managers reported May 21 that pilot vegetation and bale‑array dust suppression projects around the Salton Sea are reducing saltation by 75–95% at transects downwind of treated areas.","taxTitle","State Water Resources Control Board, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",16198,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228806,"Regional water board, state agencies say more sampling, better data hub and wider monitoring needed as Salton Sea salinity, algal blooms rise",1093,10300000,11393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8&start=10300&end=11393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8/thumbnail_10300000.jpg","/articles/6228806/California/Regional-water-board-state-agencies-say-more-sampling-better-data-hub-and-wider-monitoring-needed-as-Salton-Sea-salinity-algal-blooms-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228806-786adf905744113b17e2ab5bce108193/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949959&Signature=ZzizSqD9OE4yBxm-6R9DRDV7QLv5PBg7lcm1vpi6dnpNZkvCjMWoWzE2TzHbEKJgO-nQNny8HU5YJptaujmAQkEjCzaVg8VOoQe5OZahatfKM3-qefisYGtM0Cg4twyhbpBhumXle6lcK5SC6qqsM1-qx439aP09qDLwkV93QGGmwDoG9RSdJXHbe6booc8qwdC8n946Hke4jNeugM~w9oF7rKusQuxJda1cD8leidQ42CVPBVIGzUBcT~mU2Q~8NWiI-g9oIqJZ7wTA2OBq0Lcl1IgKGAT6-hC-LIH0dHrOIyyP8UW05UBqAT6KI29NMvqrow0fMbhesDzP76wdjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State and regional monitoring leads told the State Water Resources Control Board on May 21 that resumed boat access has allowed renewed water‑quality sampling at the Salton Sea but that monitoring coverage must increase to track harmful algal blooms (HABs), nutrient loads and public‑health risks. The workshop was informational; no board action was adopted.

Lede: The Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board said surface‑water sampling resumed in late 2023 after agencies obtained boat access through the Species Conservation Habitat project. Early results show total dissolved solids in surface water between about 75 and 82 parts per thousand — more than twice ocean salinity — and confirm the sea’s salinity is rising.

Why it matters: High salinity, nutrient loading from agricultural drains and recurring algal blooms are linked to air‑quality problems, episodic hydrogen sulfide emissions and public health concerns in shoreline communities. Monitoring is needed to quantify trends, evaluate project performance and guide regulatory action.

What the agencies reported. Emma McCorkle (Regional Water Board) said the board secured EPA 205(j) funding to support lab analyses and is cooperating with CDFW and DWR for boat access and field sampling. The team has been able to sample southern sites regularly and reached northern sites in November 2024, but she said limited Northern access and lab funding constrain frequency and spatial coverage. She reported total dissolved solids of roughly 75–82 ppt in sampled sites.

Harmful algal blooms and the data gap. Regional staff said HAB monitoring has been done during high recreational use periods, but more sustained sampling is needed to understand bloom dynamics and the potential for aerosolized toxins. Presenters asked the board and partners to prioritize funds for additional sampling beyond the current grant that ends in 2026.

Data hub and community access. The Natural Resources Agency and CDFW previewed a Salton Sea ArcGIS data hub with downloadable datasets, story maps and dashboards to centralize air, water and biological monitoring. Program staff said the hub will standardize survey templates, allow partners to upload field data and help produce public dashboards that are more accessible to residents.

Boat access and monitoring. Presenters said the SCH boat ramp restored monitoring access; they urged identifying safe, additional launch points on the north shoreline to make consistent sampling feasible.

What the board did. The session was a workshop; the Water Board will continue oversight and review monitoring and MIP (Monitoring and Implementation Plan) annual work plans. Presenters asked for continued interagency funding and technical support to expand HAB, nutrient and depth‑profile sampling.","Regional Water Board and state monitoring leads told the State Water Resources Control Board that resumed boat access enabled renewed water sampling and that salinity is now roughly 75–82 parts per thousand at sampled locations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228813,"State begins filling expanded eastern pond of major Salton Sea habitat project; managers say more ponds to follow",1986,1146000,3132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8&start=1146&end=3132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","/articles/6228813/California/State-begins-filling-expanded-eastern-pond-of-major-Salton-Sea-habitat-project-managers-say-more-ponds-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228813-ef3c29bdd92c8762e8bbeb0817cd507b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949959&Signature=ieQ66wABSaNdPteqS5VAqLlcV79E87lBt2r4D~ZuwmdirFxCpG~ECyriRv0WXI~J78M5DJjCIoAVfaTSWXanQNuoLyoZD1CjjtPi1JrkJApFnt08rOJHlrHJMkWBmg8Ue~hlpPBE1zpO5ctM9vhFPMKiR~vnFYWNyKm~bmKvRCWVwZT8CU1gLMJvAGvrvSHH7GUAVQ6bB8Z~xs~jiZe8QtPn-57tdNtxM7vi2EFT8~MhgomKJ3K7gLQtVnqFT9O4-ooc1mME42ck65aM8RJKRn~M4TaN2l9jMIckfMT1bg~gR0Youeo1nHfuCCz8WZSvfbSKflxcN6LTwddj678i4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State and partner agency staff told the State Water Resources Control Board May 21 in Thermal that construction of the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project at the Salton Sea has moved from planning into operations and that water will begin filling an expansion pond immediately following the workshop. The workshop was informational; the board took no formal action.

Why it matters: The SCH project is the largest single habitat restoration effort now under way at the Salton Sea. Filling ponds provides immediate dust suppression where the playa has dried and creates aquatic habitat for migratory birds and other species; it also restores boat access for monitoring work.

What officials described. Yvonne Wilhoft of the Department of Water Resources described the SCH layout: a causeway and saline pump station feed sedimentation basins and multiple pond cells designed to provide shallow, mid and deep water habitat and loafing/nesting islands for fish‑eating birds. Wilhoft said the initial SCH components were completed in 2023 and that the program began filling part of the East Pond in April; she told the board another portion of the East Pond expansion would begin filling the day after the workshop.

Scale and schedule. Wilhoft and other presenters said the full SCH project, including the original ponds and two major expansions, will exceed 9,000 acres when constructed. She said construction for remaining SCH expansions (center and west ponds) was in design and expected to be built beginning later in the year and to continue through 2027, subject to funding, permitting and contractor scheduling.

Practical takeaways. Presenters noted the project required specialized construction techniques because soils are saline and often wet: dredging, multiple handling and drying of material and selection of corrosion‑resistant infrastructure for pumps and pipes. The SCH design‑build delivery method was cited as a factor that let the state manage budget and schedule risks and adopt construction innovations such as a labyrinth weir that reduced concrete and energy needs.

Community access and monitoring. Project managers said the SCH boat ramp restored safe lake access for monitoring; boat access has also enabled fish and wildlife surveys and will support future adaptive management and introductions of forage fish. The program expects to use the expanded SCH ponds for initial fish introductions once water salinity and food‑web conditions are suitable.

What the board did. The workshop provided an informational update; no board action was taken. Presenters said they will continue reporting progress to the board and posting materials to the SSMP project tracker and the CNRA website.","Officials said they will begin inundating the East Pond expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project the day after the May 21 workshop. The SCH effort is designed to create shallow, mid and deep water habitat and suppress dust; the full SCH buildout will exceed 9,000 acres when complete.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228816,"State and federal funding, new conservancy and feasibility study give Salton Sea work new momentum",4253,967000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8&start=967&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466452-a5a63de1ff6f8e358ec7b8071b0858a8/thumbnail_967000.jpg","/articles/6228816/California/State-and-federal-funding-new-conservancy-and-feasibility-study-give-Salton-Sea-work-new-momentum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228816-f0b9300528611f324ed9e3bdb62ce40c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949959&Signature=Od0W97tlBd7BGjKA1slRwv4YWdeC0Qal5VPHhsijBa6A268zTytyttgsjdPrMZEXwuZvEh6XRb5oX-ZrCVUV~x2p8iYQ1sX47vv2V~RiiQV9x9XfHbiRp9uf~VkEG7qv5zTD7nzDCCNJ-FTMtAORivGpHRDko~nWQ3N72wLoOeSjl1gh3Nz5t62LzZKj18NRLdh3RfHoF-zxb0VGjt4kW6LOL8oA57G2XZBpA9~-jhZfpKCmDuyFm2lKtmEIHX5OcoSLSxjmCPYFkUHO~F13lIj~PMSZV3HKWfxD38FTObhoMiJyRFj1zX7Asmf5NtDWEf8Xm~bpVaCyjthf3BZxOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Water Resources Control Board convened a Salton Sea workshop on May 21 in Thermal to receive progress reports on the Salton Sea Management Program and to hear public comment. California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and assistant secretary Joe Shea told the board the program saw \"historic firsts\" in 2024, including major federal funding, state bond money and the start of large‑scale habitat projects.

Why it matters: The Salton Sea has lost shoreline and water over decades, exposing dusty lakebed that harms public health and removing habitat for migratory birds. Workshop presenters said recent funding and institutional changes make it possible to scale projects faster, but they emphasized the need for continued funding, permitting improvements and coordination to meet goals through 2028 and beyond.

State and federal money. Secretary Wade Crowfoot said the Salton Sea Management Program secured unprecedented funding in 2024: roughly $175 million in federal commitments and about $160 million from last year’s state climate bond (Proposition 4). Joe Shea, assistant secretary for Salton Sea policy at the Natural Resources Agency, called 2024 \"1 of historic firsts,\" noting the money enabled expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat project and other efforts.

A conservancy and a feasibility study. Workshop speakers highlighted formation of a new Salton Sea Conservancy created by state legislation to manage, operate and maintain restoration projects. Separately, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leading a basin‑wide feasibility study (a state‑federal cost‑share effort begun in 2022) to evaluate long‑range restoration concepts; Corps leaders approved an expanded scope in 2024 and added an \"early implementation increment\" to identify projects that could be implemented sooner.

Permitting and programmatic work. The Natural Resources Agency and partner agencies described completing a first programmatic NEPA compliance package and related federal documents intended to streamline future permitting. State reforms cited include the Restoration Management Permit (RMP) pathway and the State Water Board’s Restoration General Order; presenters said those tools reduce schedule risk for multi‑acre projects. Megan Gellini (DWR) said establishing consistent, early coordination with federal and state agencies and using programmatic pathways has shortened review times for many projects, though some authorizations still follow standard statutory timelines.

Board role and next steps. Chair Joaquin Esquivel and board members emphasized the board’s oversight role under the stipulated order adopted in 2017 and pressed staff and CNRA for annual, transparent accounting of acreage, funding and water needs. Presenters said 2025 will be a key year for the Army Corps study, and they urged continued federal support and interagency coordination to translate planning progress into more acres on the ground.

Workshop status. As a workshop, the board did not adopt any new policy or regulatory change during the session. The board did adopt minutes from a prior meeting by roll call vote early in the session.

What to watch next: CNRA and partner agencies said they will continue to brief the board at annual workshops, release updated project trackers and publish data from monitoring efforts and the Army Corps feasibility process as they become available.","At a May 21 Salton Sea workshop in Thermal, state and Natural Resources Agency leaders described new funding, project milestones and institutional changes that program managers say will let restoration and dust‑suppression work accelerate over the next decade. The workshop was informational; the board did not take formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vegetation and bale arrays cut surface saltation in pilot Salton Sea projects; managers say mix of bales and plantings works fastest

Regional water board, state agencies say more sampling, better data hub and wider monitoring needed as Salton Sea salinity, algal blooms rise

State begins filling expanded eastern pond of major Salton Sea habitat project; managers say more ponds to follow

State and federal funding, new conservancy and feasibility study give Salton Sea work new momentum