California breaks ground on expansion for Salton Sea habitat restoration project
A project aimed at restoring habitat surrounding the Salton Sea is expanding.
The project, called the Species Habitat Conservation (SCH) Project, created a number of ponds and wetlands, which are important habitats for fish and birds. These wetlands also help reduce dust emissions, improving air quality surrounding the Salton Sea.
The toxic dust that is blown during strong wind storms has a negative impact on surrounding areas, like the Coachella Valley.
Wade Crawfoot, the Secretary for California's Natural Resources Agency, says, "The challenges of the Salton Sea impact the whole region, whether you live in Palm Springs or you live in Imperial County, because that dust that's coming up in real windy days exacerbates some air quality challenges that the region already has."
Local lawmakers secured $250 million in federal funding for improving drought infrastructure. A $70 million portion of that will go towards the expansion of this project.
The SCH Project was initially completed at 4,100 acres. With the additional federal funding, officials broke ground on a 750-acre expansion, which will create additional ponds and wetlands.
Crawfoot says residents will see more activity with new projects surrounding the Salton Sea. He also suggests residents with environmental concerns should continue bringing issues to the attention of local leaders.
"Continue to identify this as a priority for your local leaders, your city council people, your county representatives and your state legislators," he says.
