[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6225345,"mediaKeyId","3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99","parentId",3537528,"title","New Salton Sea data hub previewed; vegetation enhancement and bale arrays cut saltation by up to 95% in pilot sites","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1250000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99&start=1250&end=1250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99/thumbnail_1250000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225345/California/New-Salton-Sea-data-hub-previewed-vegetation-enhancement-and-bale-arrays-cut-saltation-by-up-to-95-in-pilot-sites","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225345-1552f41cdbecdcb32619e8496a121292/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013487&Signature=okkSuUzwN~vBesBmn5Py8CpUFenePbTlLk6R~rkh1TkQx5iKLhZbGYDqXq2wNH1DGjDJ7hP8dWHRfMaumqJtH9x5MFulBfKLmh2onUsowKoschleybEYQyZEyNDZjeXMFBYbFY8vXEEVI47qHKQ4FAI1-nzg-WROyhKuCYpXF1adOvFpHoR7Do9hkyBL2CydBevD6tfUqRg3edUA7rsVlLjU3BCg5z6hwIoK8f0ClpchUkUXFUY2Ftumvh8qK0c5xKlrmnqsF312107cQHqAp-2534FUgDm3lCSJ4~JCJEsKmpRrs4hu07ukwESkrNjjfbri6cipOif2cEA76MUUoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State Water Resources Control Board","date","2025-05-28T09:22:32.327Z","article","State wildlife and water agencies and their contractors previewed a Salton Sea data hub and described integrated monitoring efforts designed to support project design and adaptive management. Panelists also presented early performance results from vegetation-enhancement and bale-array dust suppression projects that agencies say are suppressing near-surface saltation and lowering particulate-generation at treated sites.

Data hub and monitoring coordination
Diego Villalobos of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife gave a preview of an ArcGIS-based Salton Sea data hub the agencies are developing to consolidate project, survey and monitoring datasets and produce public-facing dashboards and story maps. Villalobos said the hub will host project trackers, avian survey dashboards, and “story maps” to make monitoring results accessible to partners and the public. He said the hub will be an integrated platform to share standardized survey templates and visualizations; the team estimated a public launch timeframe in 2026 for a robust hub.

Air-quality and vegetation-enhancement results
The Department of Water Resources and its partners presented air-quality monitoring at vegetation projects that use staggered bale arrays and irrigated planting to stabilize exposed lakebed. Senior engineer Steven Garcia summarized transect monitoring results: “We are currently seeing a reduction in saltation anywhere from 70 to 95% within treated product areas,” he told the workshop, attributing larger reductions to established vegetation.

Monitoring equipment and findings noted at the panel
- Air-quality stations collect saltation (near-surface particle movement), wind direction/speed and PM2.5/PM10 concentrations in transects placed upwind, within and downwind of project footprints.
- At some stations, measured saltation events were reduced from 36 minutes per event upwind to less than six minutes per event downwind after treatment; station-level reductions of 75–95% were reported as vegetation established.
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling provided a theoretical complement to field measurements, showing bale arrays could reduce PM generated from treated areas by roughly 75% under worst-case soil and wind scenarios.

Wildlife and integrated science monitoring
CDFW described expanding aerial bird surveys, marsh-bird and nesting-bird monitoring, desert pupfish survey work, and plans for phytoplankton and eDNA sampling at the SCH ponds as they are filled. CDFW said fish surveys in 2024 detected few or no fish in the sea itself (consistent with recent declines) but that the agency will use aquatic surveys at the SCH ponds to guide fish introductions and management of ponds as they commission.

Speakers
- Diego Villalobos — Research Data Specialist (map/GIS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Steven Garcia — Senior Engineer, California Department of Water Resources
- Barbara Barry — Supervisor, Integrated Science Team, CDFW

Authorities
- type:other name:\"Salton Sea Monitoring and Implementation Plan (MIP)\" referenced_by:[\"data-hub-air-quality-and-vegetation-dust-control\"]

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion only: agencies described the data hub preview, monitoring results, modeling and next steps; no formal adoption or data-policy decision was made at the workshop.
- Direction/assignment: agencies will continue to develop the hub, expand air and aquatic monitoring, and make monitoring outputs public when feasible.

Clarifying details
- Category:\"saltation_reduction\",\"detail\":\"Observed reduction in saltation within treated vegetation/bale projects between 70–95% depending on station and vegetation maturity\",\"source_speaker\":\"Steven Garcia\"
- Category:\"data_hub_timing\",\"detail\":\"Data hub previewed; team estimated a 2026 public launch for the fuller hub and dashboards\",\"source_speaker\":\"Diego Villalobos\"],\"proper_names\":[{\"name\":\"Salton Sea Data Hub (ArcGIS)\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"Monitoring and Implementation Plan (MIP)\",\"type\":\"program\"}],\"community_relevance\":{\"geographies\":[\"Clubhouse\",\"Tule Wash\",\"Bombay Beach\",\"Species Conservation Habitat\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"State project funds\",\"federal grants\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"residents near treated sites\",\"migratory shorebirds\",\"local conservation organizations\"]},\"meeting_context\":{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":10,\"duration_minutes\":90,\"items_count\":2},\"implementation_risk\":\"low\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2024-10-01\",\"note\":\"Vegetation projects and bale arrays initiated at several sites\"}]},\"searchable_tags\":[\"data hub\",\"air monitoring\",\"dust suppression\",\"vegetation enhancement\",\"bale arrays\"],\"provenance\":{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s12234.505-e12250.31\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":220,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"We intend to address this issue by organizing and disseminating salten sea related data with our new Salton Sea ArcGIS data hub.\",\"global_start\":12234,\"global_end\":12250,\"tc_start\":\"00:20:34\",\"tc_end\":\"00:20:50\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s11510.09-e11527.79\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":220,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"On the West side of the sea, we are currently seeing a reduction in saltation anywhere from 70 to 95% within treated product areas.\",\"global_start\":11510,\"global_end\":11527,\"tc_start\":\"00:19:10\",\"tc_end\":\"00:19:27\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},\"salience\":{\"overall\":0.81,\"overall_justification\":\"Monitoring and dust-suppression performance data directly inform implementation decisions and public-health and environmental outcomes at the Salton Sea.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Monitoring results affect adjacent communities and immediate project footprints; dashboards inform broader stakeholders.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Early-field evidence of large reductions in near-surface particle movement is actionable for replication elsewhere.\",\"novelty\":0.72,\"novelty_justification\":\"Field-observed reductions (70–95%) and a forthcoming integrated data hub are new and practically useful developments.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.70,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Because projects are in construction, monitoring and dashboards should be available as projects come online.\",\"legal_significance\":0.30,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Monitoring informs compliance and adaptive management but is not itself a regulatory action.\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.45,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"Scaling vegetation projects requires funds for irrigation, wells, monitoring and maintenance.\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.40,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"Dust suppression reduces health risk but requires continued monitoring to confirm community outcomes.\",\"environmental_impact\":0.68,\"environmental_impact_justification\":\"Vegetation and wetland enhancement provide habitat and reduce emissions from exposed playa.\",\"affected_population_estimate\":12000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"Residents adjacent to treated sites and frequent visitors; rough local estimate based on community sizes.\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.5,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate is approximate; workshop did not provide explicit population counts.\",\"budget_total_usd\":0.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"Budget specifics for monitoring rollout were not provided during the panel; costs will vary by scale.\",\"decision_deadline\":\"2026-12-31\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"Data hub build-out and monitoring expansion were discussed with a 2026 target for fuller public availability.\",\"policy_stage\":\"implementation\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"Field monitoring is active and being incorporated into adaptive project management.\",\"follow_up_priority\":2,\"follow_up_priority_justification\":\"Important for program implementation but secondary to immediate construction milestones.\",\"fact_check_risk\":0.20,\"fact_check_risk_justification\":\"Field percent-reduction figures are preliminary and should be confirmed by longer-term datasets.\",\"uncertainty\":0.38,\"uncertainty_justification\":\"Field performance varies by site, wind events and vegetation maturity; models and field data need more time to confirm results.\",\"source_diversity\":0.70,\"source_diversity_justification\":\"Speakers included DWR, CDFW and data/GIS staff; modeling and monitoring provide multiple lines of evidence.\",\"stakeholder_balance\":0.60,\"stakeholder_balance_justification\":\"Technical and community voices were present; more tribal and local-elected participation was invited but limited.\"}],","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting May 21, 2025 (English)","oneSentenceSummary","State and partner scientists previewed a new Salton Sea data hub, described expanded integrated monitoring (air, water, wildlife) and showed early monitoring results from vegetation and bale-array dust-suppression projects that reduced near-surface particle movement by large percentages.","taxTitle","State Water Resources Control Board, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",16198,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225349,"Regional board resumes Salton Sea water-quality monitoring; HABs and hydrogen sulfide raise public-health concerns",69,226000,295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99&start=226&end=295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6225349/California/Regional-board-resumes-Salton-Sea-water-quality-monitoring-HABs-and-hydrogen-sulfide-raise-public-health-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225349-1e533e1b3594f9a824af69c1b5f6213b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013487&Signature=R-PzbjsiAVwsM5SqvWy7KAUAEYvIagR20UXfm5RfIMaxb2S6AXM2bPywmivN4FE8~krVmNzW~k4S4EXayI0AlOP2dmJC~qtTJt6ZtIgCr9lQewILiYfIkFTTMYFRGPBDlhhP~9dyBCyysw-7LPBhT5pQVmWe4ZP5E-WrEeWtTy6xMvhfuubNw1qh34-RHuoA3qq7Vjh4yjuXvfAFFiiJMQOuipTpZqKuBr5m9kpS9YO9X3volP-BNxSOMHzeuO8pzUJBEDTxOwVOzEeszXUPLjMh840T-LCfaxMlfrz51oTB7mPuRyqYbO0F5YZ0jdwLIzm5hPi~fJpCqMbXRcxkzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board told the State Water Board at the May 21 workshop that it has resumed systematic Salton Sea sampling after several years of limited access, but warned monitoring coverage still is constrained by funding and boat access.

Emma McCorkle, senior environmental scientist for the regional board, said the agency secured about $350,000 in U.S. EPA 205(j) funding to restart water-quality lab analyses and partnered with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to use CDFW boats and DWR site coordination to collect samples beginning in November 2023. “If we could get funding for sampling, we could collect data again,” McCorkle told the board.

Why it matters: water quality at the Salton Sea affects recreation and may be linked to localized health problems. Harmful algal blooms (HABs), elevated nutrients and odors from hydrogen sulfide were raised repeatedly during the workshop by community groups.

What monitoring has shown so far
- Preliminary results from the resumed sampling show very high salinity in the Sea: total dissolved solids measured in samples ranged roughly from 75 to 82 parts per thousand, compared with ocean salinity of about 35 parts per thousand.
- The regional board and partners have taken sediment samples at rotating sites; sediment testing reported no detections of several legacy and current-use pesticides (DDT/degradates, chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids) in the samples referenced at the workshop.
- The board is conducting HAB testing in periods of high recreational use and said HABs remain a persistent problem; agencies said additional funding and study are needed to understand bloom development and public-health risks.

Limitations and next steps cited at the workshop
- Boat access: long-term sample collection was halted earlier because rising shoreline left historic ramps unusable. The SCH boat ramp restored practical sea access for the southern sites, but the northern shoreline remains difficult to access and requires more time and logistical coordination.
- Funding timeline: regional board funding that supported the 2023–2026 sampling effort runs through 2026; additional funds will be needed to maintain or expand the work.

Community concerns raised at the workshop
Multiple community organizations and speakers asked for more comprehensive and public-facing data, stronger nutrient-management measures and faster regulatory action to protect public health. Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability and local community science groups pressed for clear public dashboards and asked whether nutrient loads and hydrogen sulfide exceedances are being tracked and addressed through regulatory tools such as TMDLs.

Speakers
- Emma McCorkle — Senior Environmental Scientist, Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board (government)
- Crystal Otworth — Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability (nonprofit), speaking for local community interests
- Representatives from CDFW and DWR who described cooperative sampling logistics

Authorities
- type:other name:\"Monitoring and Implementation Plan (MIP) for the Salton Sea\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-water-quality-and-health-monitoring\"]
- type:statute name:\"Clean Water Act (Section 303(d) / 303(d) listing and TMDL authority)\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-water-quality-and-health-monitoring\"]

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion only: agencies described resumed sampling, preliminary results and logistical constraints; community members raised concerns about HABs, hydrogen sulfide and the need for nutrient controls.
- Direction/assignment: agencies will continue sampling where possible, seek additional funding, and coordinate with sister agencies to expand monitoring; no new regulatory measures were adopted at this meeting.

Clarifying details
- Category:\"sampling_start\" detail:\"Regional Water Board sampling resumed November 2023 using the SCH boat ramp; sampling has concentrated at 3 southern sites due to access constraints in the north\" source_speaker:\"Emma McCorkle\"
- Category:\"salinity\" detail:\"Measured total dissolved solids about 75–82 parts per thousand in recent samples; ocean ~35 ppt\" source_speaker:\"Emma McCorkle\"
- Category:\"funding_end\" detail:\"Regional board 205(j) funding for sampling runs through 2026; additional funding is required to sustain monitoring at current levels\" source_speaker\":\"Emma McCorkle\"},{\"category\":\"HABs\",\"detail\":\"Harmful algal blooms are a persistent issue; regional board conducts targeted HAB monitoring during higher recreation periods; fuller HAB program requires more funds\",\"source_speaker\":\"Emma McCorkle\"}],\"proper_names\":[{\"name\":\"Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Monitoring and Implementation Plan\",\"type\":\"program\"},{\"name\":\"Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability\",\"type\":\"nonprofit\"},{\"name\":\"California Department of Fish and Wildlife\",\"type\":\"agency\"}],\"community_relevance\":{\"geographies\":[\"Salton Sea shoreline\",\"Bombay Beach\",\"Coachella Valley\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"U.S. EPA 205(j)\",\"state grants\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"recreational users\",\"nearby residents with respiratory illness concerns\"]},\"meeting_context\":{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":8,\"duration_minutes\":35,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"high\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2016-01-01\",\"note\":\"Regional water board last collected routine Salton Sea samples prior to access loss\"},{\"date\":\"2023-11-01\",\"note\":\"Regional board resumed sampling using SCH boat ramp\"}]},\"searchable_tags\":[\"water quality\",\"HABs\",\"hydrogen sulfide\",\"TMDL\",\"salinity\"],\"provenance\":{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s10852.425-e10885.665\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":260,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"The regional water board has conducted water quality monitoring for decades as part of the surface water ambient monitoring program or SWAMP... The construction of the species conservation habitats included a boat ramp into the Salton Sea and regional water board staff saw an opportunity.\",\"global_start\":10852,\"global_end\":10885,\"tc_start\":\"00:03:12\",\"tc_end\":\"00:03:45\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s11108.226-e11145.79\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":260,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Some preliminary results have shown that the Salton Sea has continued to increase in salinity as expected. Our data shows that the concentration of total dissolved solids to be between 75 and 82 parts per thousand... For comparison, the ocean has roughly 35 parts per thousand.\",\"global_start\":11108,\"global_end\":11145,\"tc_start\":\"00:03:28\",\"tc_end\":\"00:03:55\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},\"salience\":{\"overall\":0.78,\"overall_justification\":\"Water quality sampling and HABs are directly relevant to public health and recreation, and the resumed sampling after loss of access is a material program development.\",\"impact_scope\":\"regional\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Results matter to shoreline communities and regional health agencies.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Community commenters raised health concerns; monitoring funding expires in 2026.\",\"novelty\":0.45,\"novelty_justification\":\"Resumption of sampling is important but expected; preliminary salinity findings confirm known trends.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.82,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Monitoring gaps and community health concerns mean additional funding and near-term action are timely.\",\"legal_significance\":0.55,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"TMDL development and regulatory responses implicate Clean Water Act authorities.\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.30,\"budgetary_signification_justification\":\"Resumed monitoring uses modest grant funds but requires sustained funding.\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.70,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"HABs and hydrogen sulfide are local public-health concerns when they recur.\",\"environmental_impact\":0.60,\"environmental_impact_justification\":\"High salinity and nutrient loading affect aquatic ecology and HAB formation.\",\"affected_population_estimate\":15000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"Nearby shoreline communities and frequent recreational visitors; rough local estimate.\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.5,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate is approximate; workshop did not provide a precise exposure population number.\",\"budget_total_usd\":350000.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"Regional Water Board cited ~ $350,000 in EPA 205(j) funding for sampling efforts (2023–2026).\",\"decision_deadline\":\"2026-12-31\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"Regional board sampling grant described runs through 2026.\",\"policy_stage\":\"implementation\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"Monitoring is active; larger regulatory actions (TMDLs) remain to be pursued.\",\"follow_up_priority\":1,\"follow_up_priority_justification\":\"High priority to secure ongoing monitoring funding and to expand public data access.\",\"fact_check_risk\":0.25,\"fact_check_risk_justification\":\"Preliminary lab results and funding amounts were described on the record; these should be verified in final datasets and grant documents.\",\"uncertainty\":0.5,\"uncertainty_justification\":\"Sampling across the whole sea is limited by access and funding; HAB drivers are complex.\",\"source_diversity\":0.6,\"source_diversity_justification\":\"Regional board, CDFW and community groups provided perspectives.\",\"stakeholder_balance\":0.6,\"stakeholder_balance_justification\":\"Technical agencies and community advocates participated; tribal engagement was invited but no tribal speakers signed up.\"}},{ ","The Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board described resumed sampling enabled by the new SCH boat ramp, reported preliminary salinity and nutrient results, and said funding and boat-access limits constrain broader sampling; community speakers and health advocates pressed for expanded monitoring and TMDL work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225354,"State agencies report milestone progress and new funding for Salton Sea restoration; East Pond filling to begin",248,481000,729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99&start=481&end=729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537528-1b608d8140bdab4871e6c32962ae5a99/thumbnail_481000.jpg","/articles/6225354/California/State-agencies-report-milestone-progress-and-new-funding-for-Salton-Sea-restoration-East-Pond-filling-to-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225354-90fc0b10deb5bd60052b4b35b3258faf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771013487&Signature=hfAozgYNWGPptHOU2bHvF6E44F6lq9-QLSW8~5L6c49AhcD8HRlN~TNb4xRBTx4PIEi2s9bdwmGDefSM28jj3rxe8qyffDO-FJy~t~R0qKPzbw3pzbShXsAbZICYWM0Lg2K4Ot76m9Fn80vJq~jqZEqAGY04MoxG~pg8qFXmcufu2g0Dh-YclQNpi2J2fcP0h6p27sM6WWomHTBu5PRiI3qgtzpkXPAjy~zDGIw3BC91~1LIfKmTQ2hNSzOIAWulusNKSQ2yYEILE3DWe6Xbh4JAQ-pEYHTg555DJWSJzqCTdd96d1AAgjSQ43~k1RGGa217nN-DeAoHDpFN5M7Kzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State and partner agencies reported new funding and construction milestones for work to stabilize and restore the Salton Sea, and said they will begin filling an expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat project the day after the board’s May 21 workshop in Thermal.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and partner departments described federal and state funding advances and early habitat work that agency leaders said will help curb exposed playa, suppress dust and provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. “For the first time, ever, we are actually turning on those projects, filling up this project with water, which is really exciting,” California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot told the State Water Board.

The agency said 2024 was the largest year of funding in the program’s history, including a reported federal commitment in the range of $175 million (part of a broader federal package discussed publicly as about $245 million) and $160 million appropriated from Proposition 4, the 2024 climate bond approved by voters. CNRA staff also said the budget proposals they were developing include startup funding to stand up the new Salton Sea Conservancy, created by state legislation described at the workshop; CNRA staff reported a $10 million proposal to support that conservancy.

Why it matters: the Salton Sea has lost shoreline and now exposes tens of thousands of acres of lakebed that can produce dust that affects air quality and public health. The stated 10-year goal for Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program is to complete 29,800 acres of habitat and dust-suppression projects by 2028 under conditions set in a 2017 stipulated order the board enforces.

Key program numbers and near-term actions
- CNRA’s annual report, submitted in March and discussed at the workshop, lists project delivery, planning and community engagement from 2024. CNRA indicated a cumulative 3,225 acres reported as complete to date in the 2024 annual report table presented to the board.
- The stipulated order adopted in 2017 sets phase-1 acreage milestones; condition 24 called for 2,700 acres in 2024 and a cumulative target of 29,800 acres at the end of 2028.
- The program reported about 22,400 acres of exposed playa (about 35 square miles) and a present lake elevation of roughly 241 feet below mean sea level, down about 13 feet since February 2003; those physical statistics guide where projects are prioritized.
- Agencies said they will begin filling the East Pond expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project “tomorrow,” in the words of Mario Llanos, deputy assistant secretary for CNRA’s Salton Sea program.

Projects and permitting
The largest project in the portfolio, the Species Conservation Habitat project at the southern end of the lake, was described as the immediate priority because topography there is causing more rapid shoreline recession. The SCH project includes shallow, mid- and deep-water ponds and features to support nesting islands and fish-eating birds. California Department of Water Resources staff described construction techniques and materials used to withstand saline conditions and sediment-handling methods necessary to build in the lakebed.

CNRA and federal partners also reported completion of the first programmatic environmental planning and regulatory compliance documents intended to streamline federal approvals over multiple projects (a programmatic NEPA approach and associated agreements with federal agencies). At the workshop the agencies emphasized these programmatic tools are intended to speed review and lower per-project permitting time and cost.

Long-range planning and feasibility study
CNRA staff and panelists described ongoing coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a basin-wide feasibility study. The Corps approved enlarging the study’s scope and budget in 2024; CNRA said the Corps-led feasibility study is now a multi-year effort with a projected completion in 2029 and with an added “early implementation increment” to identify targeted, smaller-scale actions that could be implemented more rapidly than the basin-wide alternatives.

What the board did at the meeting
The State Water Resources Control Board held the annual workshop required by the stipulated order; the board did not take new enforcement action at the session. At the meeting’s opening the board adopted minutes of a prior meeting by roll-call vote.

What to watch next
- Schedule for filling remaining SCH expansion ponds and timelines for operation and maintenance under the new Salton Sea Conservancy.
- Army Corps feasibility study milestones in 2025–2029 and any early-implementation recommendations.
- How the state and federal funding streams are appropriated and used to move projects from planning to construction.

Speakers (at this workshop)
- Joaquin Esquivel — Chair, State Water Resources Control Board (government)
- Doreen D’Adamo — Vice Chair, State Water Resources Control Board (government)
- Wade Crowfoot — Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency (government)
- Joe Shea — Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency (government)
- Mario Llanos — Deputy Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Management Program, California Natural Resources Agency (government)
- Miguel Hernandez — Salton Sea Management Program, California Natural Resources Agency (staff)
- Yvonne Wilhoft — Assistant Deputy Director for Salton Sea Restoration, California Department of Water Resources (government)
- Tanya Marshall — Salton Sea Program Manager, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (government)
- Stephanie Holstage — Senior Environmental Scientist, State Water Resources Control Board (staff)
- Other staff and presenters from CNRA, DWR and CDFW who presented project detail and the annual report (see transcript for full list)

Authorities
- type:other name:\"Stipulated Order (State Water Board, 2017) amending long-term transfer order\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]
- type:other name:\"Salton Sea Management Program 10-year plan (phase 1: 2018–2028)\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]
- type:statute name:\"Clean Water Act, Section 404\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]
- type:other name:\"Programmatic NEPA document and associated programmatic agreements (Army Corps and federal partners, 2024)\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]
- type:other name:\"Proposition 4 (2024 Climate Bond) funding\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]
- type:grant name:\"Federal commitment to Salton Sea restoration (noted $175,000,000 in 2024 funding round)\" referenced_by:[\"salton-sea-restoration-milestones-and-funding\"]

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: progress report on 2024 projects; updated acreage accounting; community engagement activities; federal and state funding status; feasibility study scope.
- Direction/assignment: agencies to continue moving projects into construction, stand up Salton Sea Conservancy and prepare budgets; coordinate feasibility-study inputs with Army Corps; continue community engagement per community needs report.
- Formal action at meeting: adoption of May 6 board meeting minutes (roll-call vote, approved).

Clarifying details
- Category:\"annual milestone\" detail:\"2024 annual acreage milestone in the stipulated order = 2,700 acres\" source_speaker:\"Stephanie Holstage\"
- Category:\"cumulative_target\" detail:\"Phase 1 cumulative target by end of 2028 = 29,800 acres\" source_speaker:\"Stephanie Holstage\"
- Category:\"reported_cumulative\" detail:\"CNRA reported cumulative completed acres as 3,225 in the 2024 annual report (as presented to the water board)\" source_speaker:\"Stephanie Holstage\"
- Category:\"exposed_playa\" detail:\"Estimated exposed playa ~22,400 acres (about 35 square miles)\" source_speaker:\"Stephanie Holstage\"
- Category:\"elevation\" detail:\"Current lake elevation ~241 feet below mean sea level; drop ~13 feet since Feb 2003\" source_speaker:\"Stephanie Holstage\"

Proper_names:[{\"name\":\"Salton Sea Management Program\",\"type\":\"program\"},{\"name\":\"Species Conservation Habitat\",\"type\":\"project\"},{\"name\":\"Salton Sea Conservancy\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"California Natural Resources Agency\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"California Department of Water Resources\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"California Department of Fish and Wildlife\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"State Water Resources Control Board\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Army Corps of Engineers\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Imperial Irrigation District\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Quantification Settlement Agreement\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"Proposition 4\",\"type\":\"other\"}]

Community_relevance:{\"geographies\":[\"Coachella Valley\",\"Imperial Valley\",\"Bombay Beach\",\"North Shore\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"Federal appropriations\",\"Proposition 4 (state climate bond)\",\"Wildlife Conservation Board grants\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"nearby residents\",\"migratory birds (Pacific Flyway)\",\"local workforce\"]}

Meeting_context:{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":40,\"duration_minutes\":540,\"items_count\":10},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2017-01-01\",\"note\":\"Stipulated order adopted; annual workshops required\"},{\"date\":\"2024-03-01\",\"note\":\"CNRA final long range plan released\"}]}

Searchable_tags:[\"Salton Sea\",\"SCH\",\"Species Conservation Habitat\",\"Salton Sea Conservancy\",\"Proposition 4\",\"federal funding\",\"Army Corps feasibility study\"],\"provenance\":{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s481.645-e504.735\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":336,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I'm actually flying down tonight to help mark a a milestone I'll mention in just a little bit. But I'll just first of all say I really appreciate the partnership that the Water Board and the Natural Natural Resources Agency that I lead have had.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s668.65497-e729.445\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":717,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So for the first time, ever, we are actually turning on those projects, filling up this project with water, which is really exciting.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},\"salience\":{\"overall\":0.92,\"overall_justification\":\"This workshop focused on the Salton Sea Management Program's annual report, major project milestones, and new state and federal funding, which have high policy and public-health significance.\",\"impact_scope\":\"regional\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Projects and funding affect Imperial and Coachella valleys and federal partners; Army Corps study has wider regional implications.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Recent funding commitments and the first major project fill draw immediate public and interagency attention.\",\"novelty\":0.78,\"novelty_justification\":\"Filling of an SCH expansion and first finalized programmatic NEPA/permit documents are new program milestones.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.86,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Work and funding are active now; stipulated-order milestones run through 2028.\",\"legal_significance\":0.56,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Stipulated order oversight and federal NEPA/CWA permitting influence implementation timelines.\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.88,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"Reported federal and state commitments total several hundred million dollars.\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.65,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"Exposed playa and dust have documented public-health implications; work aims to reduce risk.\",\"environmental_impact\":0.82,\"environmental_impact_justification\":\"Large habitat projects affect migratory birds and wetland ecology.\",\"affected_population_estimate\":50000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"Residents of adjacent communities in Imperial and Coachella valleys, plus downstream migrants; rough local estimate based on county populations.\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.6,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate is coarse; workshop did not give an explicit affected-population number.\",\"budget_total_usd\":435000000.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"Combined cited federal commitment (~$175M) plus $160M climate bond and reported other state/federal funds referenced at the workshop.\",\"decision_deadline\":\"2028-12-31\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"Stipulated order sets Phase 1 completion date at end of 2028.\",\"policy_stage\":\"implementation\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"Projects are moving from planning into construction and operation.\",\"follow_up_priority\":1,\"follow_up_priority_justification\":\"High priority for board oversight given milestones, funding, and public health stakes.\",\"fact_check_risk\":0.20,\"fact_check_risk_justification\":\"Most facts were stated at the workshop; financial figures and future timelines should be verified against agency documents.\",\"uncertainty\":0.46,\"uncertainty_justification\":\"Future inflows and feasibility-study outcomes are uncertain, and funding/program timelines may shift.\",\"source_diversity\":0.75,\"source_diversity_justification\":\"Presentation included CNRA, DWR and CDFW staff and federal partners; community groups also commented.\",\"stakeholder_balance\":0.62,\"stakeholder_balance_justification\":\"State and federal agencies and community organizations participated; more tribal officials were expected but none spoke at this session.\",\"alert_flags\":[\"deadline_soon\",\"large_budget\"]}},{","California Natural Resources Agency and partners reported a year of \"firsts\" at the Salton Sea, including federal and state funding commitments and plans to begin filling an expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat project, while the State Water Board continues oversight under a 2017 stipulated order.","actionData","errors"]

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