Salton Sea

As a member of the Governor’s Salton Sea Task Force, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) regularly monitors and assesses progress on the implementation of the Task Force's Salton Sea Management Program. This web page provides information about State Water Board activities related to this matter.

For more information about the Salton Sea Management Program, please visit this website: http://saltonsea.ca.gov/

For more information about the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board's activities regarding water quality in and around the Salton Sea, please visit this website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/coloradoriver/water_issues/programs/salton_sea/

   Subscribe to the Water Boards’ email subscription service for updates on current issues regarding Water Board activities in and around the Salton Sea.

   Subscribe to the California Natural Resources Agency’s email subscription service for updates on Salton Sea projects and other Salton Sea activities.

For questions or requests for documents listed on this webpage, please contact Stephanie Holstege at: stephanie.holstege@waterboards.ca.gov.

April 20th, 2022 Workshop on the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

The State Water Board will hold a hybrid public workshop, in-person at the Cal EPA building in Sacramento and virtually, to receive oral and written comments on the status of the Salton Sea Management Program including a report from the California Natural Resources Agency pursuant to Water Board Order WR 2017-0134.

Information on how to watch or participate in the workshop is available in the Notice of Public Workshop below, as well as on the State Water Board’s remote meeting instructions page.

March 17, 2021 Workshop on the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program was RESCHEDULED to April 7, 2021

The State Water Board has rescheduled the workshop that was originally planned to occur on March 17th, 2021 to now occur on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. The workshop has been rescheduled to provide the public and stakeholders additional time to review and provide comments on the California Natural Resources Agency’s 2021 Salton Sea Management Program Annual Report. Written comments are now due by 12:00 pm noon on April 1, 2021.

The State Water Board will hold a virtual public workshop to receive oral and written comments on the status of the Salton Sea Management Program including a report from the California Natural Resources Agency identifying; (i) completed projects and milestones achieved in the prior year; (ii) amount of acreage of completed projects that provide dust suppression and habitat, broken down by habitat type; (iii) upcoming projects to be completed and milestones to be achieved prior to the next annual progress report; (iv) the status of financial resources and permits that have not been secured for future projects; (v) any anticipated departures from the dates and acreages identified in condition 24 of water right order WR 2017-0134; and progress toward development of the long‐range plan described in condition 26 of water right order WR 2017-0134.

To only watch the workshop, there will be an English and Spanish webcast available.  The link will become active about 15 minutes prior to the start of the workshop.  To speak during the workshop, each participant will need to complete the virtual speaker card form.  The Salton Sea workshop is agenda item number 8. Additional information on how to watch or participate in the workshop virtually is available on the State Water Board’s remote meeting instructions page.

  • Workshop Video | (Spanish)
  • Workshop Agenda
  • Workshop presentations:
    • State Water Resources Control Board
    • California Natural Resources Agency
    • Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board
    • South Coast Air Quality Management District
    • Imperial County Air Pollution Control District
    • Imperial Irrigation District
    • Imperial County
    • Salton Sea Authority
    • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
    • U.S. Geological Society
    • Audubon California
    • Community-Based Organizations (Comite Civico de Valle, Alianza Coachella Valley, Kounkuey Initiative Design, and Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability)
  • Comment letters received:
    • Active Climate Rescue Initiative
    • American Federation of Government Employees National Border Patrol Council
    • Bureau of Land Management – El Centro Field Office,
    • Citizens United for Resources and the Environment
    • City of Cathedral City
    • City of Desert Hot Springs
    • City of Indian Wells
    • City of Palm Desert
    • City of Palm Springs
    • City of Rancho Mirage
    • Comite Civico del Valle
    • EcoMedia Compass (Kerry Morrison)
    • EcoMedia Compass (Tom Sephton)
    • General Public:
      • Christopher Cockroft
      • Chuck Parker
      • Daphne Ramirez
      • Felicitas Nunez
      • Jasmyn Phillips
      • Linda Salas
      • Susan (last name illegible)
      • Vianey Holguin
    • Geothermal Worldwide, Inc.
    • Imperial County Air Pollution Control District
    • Imperial County Farm Bureau
    • Pacific Institute, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Environmental Defense Fund, Audubon, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Sierra Club California, Defenders of Wildlife, Alianza Coachella Valley, Loma Linda University School of Public Health
    • People Over Pollution
    • Riverside County & Imperial County Residents
    • Salton Sea Authority
    • Salton Sea Coalition
    • San Diego County Water Authority
    • The New Water Group
    • University of California, Irvine - Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center
    • West Shores Resident

August 19, 2020 Workshop on the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

The State Water Board will hold a virtual public workshop, which was originally planned to be held on March 18, 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 emergency, has been rescheduled to receive oral and written comments on the status of Salton Sea Restoration including a report from state agencies identifying; (i) completed projects and milestones achieved in the prior year; (ii) amount of acreage of completed projects that provide dust suppression and habitat, broken down by habitat type; (iii) upcoming projects to be completed and milestones to be achieved prior to the next annual progress report; (iv) the status of financial resources and permits that have not been secured for future projects; (v) any anticipated departures from the dates and acreages identified in condition 24 of water right order WR 2017-0134; and progress toward development of the long‐range plan described in condition 26 of water right order WR 2017-0134. To request a copy of any of the comment letters received for this item, please contact Justine Herrig at justine.herrig@waterboards.ca.gov.

Information on how to watch or participate in the workshop virtually is available on the State Water Board’s remote meeting instructions page.

  • Workshop Video
  • REVISED Workshop Agenda
  • California Natural Resources Agency update letter
  • Comment letters received:
    • Agess, Inc.
    • Assembly California Legislature, 56th Assembly District
    • Alianza Coachella Valley, Audubon California, Coachella Valley Waterkeeper, Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense Fund, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Pacific Institute, and Sierra Club California (Joint Letter)
    • Campesinos Unidos, Inc., CNC, Coalicion de Buena Salud y Bienestar, Comite’ Civico deal Valle, Inc., Imperial Valley Community Health Coalition, Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition, La Union Hace la Fuerza, Los Amigos De La Comunidad, Our Roots Multicultural Center, and Promotores Comunitarios Del Desierto (Joint Letter)
    • Courageous Resistance of the Desert
    • General Public:
      • Christopher Cockroft
      • Christopher Cockroft (second letter)
      • Elaine Loreto
      • Homer Lesihau
      • Jasmyn Phillips
      • Maria Pozar
      • Nicole Saari
      • Pam Eckert
      • Samantha Reece
      • Sandy Contreras
      • Tom Sephton
    • InterContinental IP
    • Salton Sea Coalition
    • Salton Sea Coalition (second letter)
    • Salton Sea Landowners Association
    • The EcoMedia Compass
  • Workshop Agenda
  • Board Meeting Agenda
  • California Natural Resources Agency 2020 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program (Spanish Report)
  • Notice of Public Workshop (Spanish Notice)

CANCELLED: March 18, 2020 Workshop on the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

The March 18, 2020 workshop on the status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program has been canceled and will rescheduled at a later date.

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop to receive oral and written comments on the status of Salton Sea Restoration including a report from state agencies identifying; (i) completed projects and milestones achieved in the prior year; (ii) amount of acreage of completed projects that provide dust suppression and habitat, broken down by habitat type; (iii) upcoming projects to be completed and milestones to be achieved prior to the next annual progress report; (iv) the status of financial resources and permits that have not been secured for future projects; (v) any anticipated departures from the dates and acreages identified in condition 24 of water right order WR 2017-0134; and progress toward development of the long‐range plan described in condition 26 of water right order WR 2017-0134. To request a copy of any of the comment letters received for this item, please contact Justine Herrig at justine.herrig@waterboards.ca.gov.

  • Comment Letters Received:
    • Assembly member Eduardo Garcia
    • Concerned Citizens of the Coachella Valley
    • Chuck Parker
    • Felicitas Nunez
    • Jasmyn Phillips
    • Nikola Lakic
    • Robert Terry
    • Tom Sephton
    • Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability and the Eastern Coachella Valley residents
    • Joint letter by Pacific Institute, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Environmental Defense Fund, Audubon California, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, Sierra Club California, Defenders of Wildlife, Alianza Coachella Valley, and Loma Linda University School of Public Health
  • Board Meeting Agenda
  • California Natural Resources Agency 2020 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program
  • REVISED Notice of Public Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop

June 18, 2019 Informational Item Regarding the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 18, 2019, the State Water Board will hear an informational item consisting of a status update on Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program from the California Natural Resources Agency pursuant to Water Board Order WR 2017-0134.

  • Agenda for June 18, 2019 Board Meeting

March 19, 2019 Workshop on the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

At its regularly scheduled meeting on March 19, 2019, the State Water Board will hold a public workshop to receive oral and written comments on the status of Salton Sea Restoration including a report from state agencies identifying; (i) completed projects and milestones achieved in the prior year; (ii) amount of acreage of completed projects that provide dust suppression and habitat, broken down by habitat type; (iii) upcoming projects to be completed and milestones to be achieved prior to the next annual progress report; (iv) the status of financial resources and permits that have not been secured for future projects; (v) any anticipated departures from the dates and acreages identified in condition 24 of water right order WR 2017-0134; and progress toward development of the long‐range plan described in condition 26 of water right order WR 2017-0134. Should an annual milestone shortfall exceed 20 percent of a year’s annual obligation, the report will also include a plan that will cure the deficiency within 12 months. The workshop was held at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club in North Shore, CA.

October 16, 2018 Informational Item Regarding the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

At its regularly scheduled meeting on October 16, 2018, the State Water Board will hear an informational item consisting of a status update on Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program from Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency pursuant to Water Board Order WR 2017-0134.

  • California Natural Resources Agency's Presentation
  • Department of Water Resources Proposed Staff Organizational Chart
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for October 16, 2018 Board Meeting
  • Letter to Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency, regarding information to present before the State Water Board for future updates on the status of the Salton Sea Management Program (Dated May 22, 2018)

March 20, 2018 Informational Item Regarding the Status of Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program

At its regularly scheduled meeting on March 20, 2018, the State Water Board will hear an informational item consisting of a status update on Phase 1 of the Salton Sea Management Program from Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency pursuant to Water Board Order WR 2017-0134.

  • Follow-up letter submitted by the Pacific Institute, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, and Sierra Club California (Dated April 2, 2018)
  • Meeting Video
  • California Natural Resources Agency's Presentation
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for March 20, 2018 Board Meeting

November 7, 2017 Public Hearing and Meeting to Adopt a Proposed Order Revising State Water Board Order WRO 2002-0013

On November 7, 2017, the State Water Board adopted an Order Revising State Water Board Order WRO 2002-0013 after holding a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting

  • Press Release: State Water Board Adopts Order on Long-Term Management of Salton Sea
  • Order WR 2017-0134 - (Spanish Version) - In the Matter of the Petition of Imperial Irrigation District regarding State Water Board Revised Order WRO 2002-0013 - Order Accepting Stipulation and Revising State Water Board Revised Order WRO 2002-0013
  • Workshop Video
  • Public Comments
  • Revised Notice of Public Hearing, Opportunity for Public Comment and Adoption Meeting
  • Notice of Public Hearing, Opportunity for Public Comment and Adoption Meeting
  • Proposed Draft Order with Exhibit A
    • Version showing changes from August 11, 2017 draft
  • March 15, 2017 Motion of Imperial Irrigation District for Evidentiary Hearing

September 7, 2017 Workshop on the Salton Sea Management Program and Draft Stipulated Order for Future Action by the State Water Board

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop to receive information and solicit public input regarding the Salton Sea Management Program and Draft Stipulated Order for Future Action by the Board at its regularly scheduled meeting.

  • Workshop Video
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the September 6-7, 2017 Meeting and Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop
  • August 11, 2017 Draft Stipulated Order
  • March 15, 2017 Motion of Imperial Irrigation District for Evidentiary Hearing

November 15, 2016 Workshop for an Update Regarding the Status of the Salton Sea Management Program

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop during a regularly scheduled State Water Board meeting on November 15, 2016 to receive information and solicit public input regarding the status of the Salton Sea Management Program.

  • Workshop Video
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the November 15, 2016 Meeting and Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop

August 16, 2016 Informational Item Regarding the Status of the Salton Sea Management Program

At its regularly scheduled meeting on August 16, 2016, the State Water Board will hear an informational item consisting of an update on the Salton Sea Management Program from Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency.

  • Meeting Video
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the August 16, 2016 Board Meeting

April 19, 2016 Workshop for an Update Regarding the Status of the Salton Sea Management Program

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting on April 19, 2016 to receive information and solicit public input regarding the status of the Salton Sea Management Program.

  • Workshop Video
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the April 19-20, 2016 Meeting and Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop

January 5, 2016 Workshop for an Update Regarding the Status of Agency Actions by the Salton Sea Task Force

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting on January 5, 2016 to receive an update from four agencies and received input from the public regarding the status of agency actions identified by the Salton Sea Task Force.

  • Workshop Video
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the January 5-6, 2016 Meeting and Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop

March 18, 2015 Workshop for Solicitation of Comments Regarding the Status of the Salton Sea and Revised Order WRO 2002-0013

The State Water Board will hold a public workshop on March 18, 2015 to receive information and solicit public input regarding the provisions of the State Water Board's decision relating to the Salton Sea and whether the State Water Board should take further actions to address the Salton Sea's future.

  • Workshop Video (Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
  • Public Comments
  • Agenda for the March 17-18, 2015 Meeting and Workshop
  • Notice of Public Workshop

2014 Petition of Imperial Irrigation District for Modification of Revised Order WRO 2002-0013

On November 18, 2014, Imperial Irrigation District submitted a petition for modification of Revised Order WRO 2002-0013.

  • Petition of Imperial Irrigation District for Modification of Revised Order WRO 2002-0013
    • Petition
    • Cover Letter
    • Appendix Volume 1
    • Appendix Volume 2

The State Water Board has received the following letters concerning the Petition of the Imperial Irrigation District:

  • Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, Pacific Institute, and Sierra Club California
  • Salton Sea Authority
  • The Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business
  • Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association
  • Imperial County Building and Construction Trades Council
  • Regional Governmental Affairs Committee of the Brawley and El Centro Chambers of Commerce
  • Imperial County Board of Supervisors
  • Eduardo Garcia, State Assemblymember, 56th District
  • Raul Ruiz, M.D., Member of Congress, 36th District, California
  • Juan Vargas, Member of Congress, 51st District, California
  • Ben Hueso, State Senator, 40th District
  • Imperial Irrigation District

2002 Order Approving the Long-Term Transfer of Water from Imperial Irrigation District

On October 28, 2002, the State Water Board issued Order WRO 2002-0013. On December 20, 2002, the State Water Board revised Order WRO 2002-0013 with the issuance of Order WRO 2002-0016. Revised Order WRO 2002-0013 approved the long-term transfer of up to 300,000 acre-feet of water per year authorized for diversion and use from the Colorado River under Imperial Irrigation District's water right permit 7643 as follows: (1) 200,000 acre-feet of water per year from Imperial Irrigation District to San Diego County Water Authority; and (2) 100,000 acre-feet of water per year from Imperial Irrigation District to Coachella Valley Water District and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The approved transfer was for a term of 45 years with an optional 30-year renewal period, for a total of 75 years.

  • Order WRO 2002-0016
    Order Denying Reconsideration of and Modifying Water Rights Order 2002-0013
  • Order WRO 2002-0013 (revised)
    In the Matter Imperial Irrigation District's (IID) and San Diego County Water Authority's (SDWCA) Amended Joint Petition for Approval of a Long-term Transfer of Conserved Water From IID and SDCWA, and to Change the Point of Diversion, Place of Use, and Purpose of Use under Permit 7643 issued on Application 7482 of Imperial Irrigation District.
  • Order WRO 2002-0013 (superceded)
    For background information concerning the proceedings related to these orders, please visit the Imperial Irrigation District - Long Term Transfer web page.

Other Organizations Involved in the Salton Sea

Besides the State Water Board’s involvement with the Salton Sea, there are many other state, federal, and local organizations that have interests in the discussions, planning, and implementation of actions and projects occurring at the Salton Sea.   A list of these organization is maintained by the State Water Board and provides information of each of the organization’s role, responsibility, or focus within the Salton Sea including websites.

Organizations Involved in  the Salton Sea (Spanish)

Below is a list of available direct contacts for those organizations listed in the above document.  Spaces that are blank are blank intentionally because no information is available at the current time.  The list below will be updated as information changes or become available. 

Organizations Contact Name Email Phone Number
Imperial Irrigation District   info@iid.com (760) 427-5624
Coachella Valley Water District      
San Diego County Water Authority Darren Simon dsimon@sdcwa.org (760) 337-1386
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California      
Salton Sea Authority   info@ssajpa.org (760) 863-2695
Imperial County      
Riverside County Linsey Dale Linseydale@co.imperial.ca.us (442) 265-1018
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Katie Burnworth katieburnworth@co.imperial.ca.us  
South Coast Air Quality Management District      
California Natural Resources Agency   cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov  
California Department of Water Resources   cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov  
California Department of Fish and Wildlife   cnra-saltonsea@resources.ca.gov  
California State Parks, Salton Sea State Recreation Area     (760) 393-3810
California Air Resources Board      
State Water Resources Control Board Justine Herrig Justine.herrig@waterboards.ca.gov (916) 323-5176
Colorado River Regional Water Quality  Control Board      
Colorado River Board      
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Genevieve Johnson gjohnson@usbr.gov  
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers      
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service      
U.S. Bureau of Land Management      
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians     (760) 397-0300
Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians   admin@29palmsbomi-nsn.gov  
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians      
Alianza Coachella Valley      
Audubon California Frank Ruiz Frank.Ruiz@audubon.org  
Comite Civivo del Valle   contact@ccvhealth.org (760) 531-8761
Defenders of Wildlife Pamela Flick pflick@defenders.org  
Environmental Defense Fund      
Kounkuey Design Initiative   mail@kounkuey.org  
Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability Rebecca Zaragoza rzaragoza@leadershipcounsel.org  
Pacific Institute Michael Cohen mcohen@pacinst.org  
Sierra Club   Brandon.dawson@sierraclub.org, Jenny.binstock@sierraclub.org, or palmcanyon@mac.com  

Questions or Comments