1. www.iid.com
Salton Sea Program update
presentation to WCAB
Graeme R. Donaldson
Program Manager Salton Sea Initiative
December 10, 2015
2. www.iid.com
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Salton Sea Activities Overview
• Legislative/state agencies status and update
• Restoration proposals
SSWIFT plan (development funded by SSA, but not adopted)
Salton Sea Restoration & Renewable Energy Initiative (IID/IC)
• Near-term projects
Red Hill Bay Project (RHB)
Species Conservation Habitat (SCH)
Salton Seawater Marine Habitat Pilot Project (MHP)
3. www.iid.com
Salton Sea activities
June, 2002 – Salton Sea legislation giving state responsibility
November 18, 2014 – IID submits a Petition to the State Water Resources Control Board requesting
it exercise its continuing authority over the water transfers to ensure the state of California live up to
its Salton Sea restoration obligation in order to avoid devastating air quality and habitat impacts.
March 18, 2015 – SWRCB holds Salton Sea workshop.
May 2015 – Governor establishes Salton Sea Task Force that includes CNRA, CDWR, CDFW,
CEC, CARCB, EPA and SWRCB.
September 2015 – Governor appoints Bruce Wilcox assistant secretary for Salton Sea policy.
October 9, 2015 – AB1095 (Garcia) signed into law by Governor Brown.
The Salton Sea Restoration Act requires the Secretary of the CNRA in consultation and coordination with
Salto Sea Authority (SSA), to lead Salton Sea Restoration efforts.
The Act will require on or before March 31, 2016 the CNRA to submit to legislature a list of “shovel ready”
Salton Sea restoration projects
January 5, 2016 – State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to hold public workshop to
receive updates from (CNRA/CRRWQCB/CARB/CEC) & public comment re: Task Force actions.
March 31, 2016 – AB1095 deadline for CNRA to submit to legislature a list of “shovel ready”
Salton Sea restoration projects. Most important will be the backbone infrastructure implementation.
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4. www.iid.com
Salton Sea Task Force Agency Actions
• Begin immediate implementation and further development of
Salton Sea management plan
• Improve public outreach and local partnership
• Accelerate project implementation and delivery
• Meet a short-term (2016-2017) goal of 9,000-12,000 acres of
habitat creation and dust suppression projects at the sea
• Set medium-term (2018-2023) goal of 18,000-25,000 acres of
habitat creation and dust suppression projects at the sea Ensure
Oversight by Regulatory Agencies
• Consider opportunities for increasing renewable energy
development at and around the Salton Sea
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