Newsom Starts New Effort to Restore the Salton Sea
New Conservancy Established to Restore the Salton Sea
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday the creation of a new conservancy aimed at supporting restoration efforts at the Salton Sea. The initiative intends to address the environmental challenges faced by the communities surrounding the lake, which has suffered from escalating salinity and habitat degradation.
"For too long, communities around the Salton Sea have carried the burden of environmental challenges and neglect," Newsom stated. "Today, California is changing that by launching the Salton Sea Conservancy to advance cleaner air, protect public health, restore critical ecosystems, and ensure the work we’ve started creates lasting opportunities for Salton Sea communities."
The establishment of the Salton Sea Conservancy follows the recent signing of a bill by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). This new body will focus on critical issues stemming from the receding lake, including habitat restoration and measures to reduce harmful dust from exposed lakebeds.
Located in southern Riverside County and northern Imperial County, the Salton Sea is a landlocked terminal lake that has seen increased salinity over the years, rendering it largely inhospitable to aquatic life. Furthermore, diminished water inflows have contributed to toxic air conditions, posing risks to both local ecosystems and nearby communities.
California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot emphasized the significance of guiding long-term stewardship for the projects. "Our aim is to improve air quality, protect local communities, and restore critical habitat," he noted.
Silvia Paz, Executive Director of Alianza Coachella Valley, expressed her optimism regarding the new conservancy. "I am honored to join the Salton Sea Conservancy at such a critical moment for our region," she said. "For too long, the communities most impacted by the Salton Sea’s decline—such as families dealing with air pollution and children with asthma—have felt the weight of delayed action."
Paz added that the conservancy will create a framework for cooperation among various stakeholders. "By bringing together the right partners around shared priorities, we can finally align resources, cut through the fragmentation that has slowed progress, and advance real, lasting solutions for the people who need them the most," she stated.
The restoration of the Salton Sea has been a priority for California since 2019, with Governor Newsom securing more than $500 million in combined state and federal investments to advance various projects.
