April 29, 2026
Salton Sea Conservancy Launched to Address Environmental Crisis
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New state body will coordinate long-term restoration, habitat management, and air quality work
California launched the Salton Sea Conservancy this April to support long-term restoration work at the Salton Sea, California’s largest inland lake. The new conservancy was created through Senate Bill 583 and operates within the California Natural Resources Agency.
The Conservancy is responsible for helping manage completed restoration and mitigation projects, including habitat and dust-control work. Its duties include managing land and property rights, including easements and water rights, within the Salton Sea region after projects are built.
The Salton Sea has been shrinking as inflows have declined, exposing lakebed that can contribute to dust and air quality concerns in surrounding communities. Rising salinity has also affected habitat for wildlife, including birds that use the Pacific Flyway.
State officials say the Conservancy is intended to strengthen coordination, provide long-term stewardship, and help sustain work already underway through the Salton Sea Management Program. That includes restoration projects designed to create habitat, reduce exposed playa, and address public health concerns tied to dust.
The launch also included the appointment of a 20-member board with representatives from state agencies, Riverside and Imperial counties, local water districts, tribal groups, and public organizations. The board is expected to guide future planning and project priorities.
The creation of the Salton Sea Conservancy marks a shift toward more centralized, long-term management of restoration, air quality, and habitat projects in the region.
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