Governor Newsom, CNRA launch state’s first new conservancy in 15 years to help accelerate Salton Sea restoration

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) today announced the creation of the state's first new conservancy in more than 15 years, marking a major step forward in delivering lasting benefits to Salton Sea communities by supporting long-term habitat restoration efforts at the Salton Sea.

"For too long, communities around the Salton Sea have carried the burden of environmental challenges and neglect. 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." - Governor Gavin Newsom

The new Salton Sea Conservancy - a result of Governor Newsom signing into law Senate Bill 583 (Padilla) - will take on a critical role to solidify the state's efforts to protect residents' health, sustain the operation and maintenance of large-scale habitat restoration, and increase public access.

"State agencies and our partners are delivering real progress on the ground," said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. "Long-planned projects are now getting built that improve air quality, protect local communities, and restore critical habitat- and the Salton Sea Conservancy will keep this work moving forward. By guiding long-term stewardship of these projects, the Conservancy allows our state agency to stay focused on what comes next: more projects to protect communities, restore habitat and deliver real results for the people who live here."

The Salton Sea, California's largest inland water body, has shrunk in recent years due to reduced inflows, exposing a lakebed that could release small dust particles that exacerbate air quality challenges in the Imperial Valley. The reduced water levels and increased salinity also negatively impact habitat for wildlife, including millions of birds traveling the Pacific flyway.

A year ago, the state began filling the first major habitat expansion restoration project at the Salton Sea with water covering approximately three square miles, or about four times the size of Disneyland. This work resulted in thousands of fish and birds using the new habitat within months.

The Conservancy's purpose is to support the operation and maintenance of projects like this, helping ensure these investments continue to deliver long-term environmental and public health benefits, including reducing harmful dust from the exposed lakebed and restoring critical wildlife habitat.

"As the state tackles the enormous challenges at the Salton Sea, local representatives need to be at the table when project priorities and funding decisions are being made," said Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). "This state conservancy, the first in nearly two decades, will give local communities an important role in guiding the Sea's future."

"I am honored to join the Salton Sea Conservancy at such a critical moment for our region," said Silvia Paz, Executive Director of Alianza Coachella Valley. "For too long, the communities most impacted by the Salton Sea's decline have felt the weight of delayed action. The Conservancy gives us the structure to change that."

"The Salton Sea Conservancy's creation is a historic moment for this region," said Gina Dockstader, Imperial Irrigation District Director.

"The Salton Sea is full of possibilities for the future and I'm honored to represent the vision of our communities and the needs of our incredible wildlife," said Camila Bautista, Audubon California's Salton Sea & Deserts Program Manager.

For full list of Conservancy members and upcoming meetings, go to the Salton Sea Program website.

Investing in the Salton Sea

On the restoration side, that momentum has continued with major milestones, including the expansion of the state's flagship Species Conservation Habitat Project and the start of water deliveries to new habitat ponds supporting fish and bird populations while improving air quality.

The total Species Conservation Habitat Project footprint is now envisioned to span 9,400 acres - enough space to fit roughly 7,200 football fields. It will create a network of ponds, berms, nesting and loafing islands, and water delivery systems engineered to sustain fish and bird populations.

Since 2019, Governor Newsom has elevated restoration of the Salton Sea as a state priority-accelerating implementation of the Salton Sea Management Plan and securing over half a billion dollars in combined state and federal investments to move projects forward.

Through the Salton Sea Conservancy, California is building on the ground progress by strengthening long-term stewardship of projects, helping ensure continued investment, and lasting benefits for Salton Sea communities.

California's conservation leadership in action

The Golden State is leading the nation in protecting its natural resources. Through California's 30×30 initiative, a commitment to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030, California added over 1 million acres in a single year.

Under Governor Newsom's leadership, California has also helped establish two new national monuments and received international recognition for protecting marine habitats.

California is also ensuring that all residents can access the state's natural wonders with programs like State Parks' discount pass programs and the Youth Community Access Program.