Survey work begins on Salton Sea restoration project
Engineers are busy studying the soil near the Salton Sea.
This is where they’re planning on transforming more than 150 acres into a modern nature habitat.
“This is one of the biggest projects, probably the biggest project, the only project that we have initiated here in the north end of the lake which is in Riverside County,” said Castulo Estrada, vice president of the Coachella Valley Water District.
States and local leaders have assigned $20 million to materialize the effort.
“The goal of this project is to make sure that's within proximity of the residents who live in the community surrounding the Salton Sea” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
The North Lake Pilot Demonstration project will reconstruct the current habitat in this area of the Salton Sea.
“What we would think what will be is actually allowing for some recreational uses of this lake might include canoeing, swimming fishing," Estrada said.
Officials say the lake would create a friendly environment for fish and birds and control dust.
It's an initiative that could pave the way for future ones.
“We need to replicate this project 100 times right in order to cover the perimeter of the sea but this project is going to help us answer that we don't have answers for,” Estrada said.
Crews will continue to survey the ground surface and subsurface soil for the next few weeks.
Sensors have been placed to measure seismic wave velocity.
As of right now there is no set timeline when construction will begin or when it would be completed.
“Although this is a milestone, let's complete the project,” said County Supervisor Manuel Perez.
