State Water Board Acknowledges Progress at Salton Sea, But Next Year Will Be Critical

Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, speaks virtually during the State Water Resources Control Board hearing on the status of the state’s restoration work at the Salton Sea held April 20. Crowfoot highlighted the progress of restoration projects but acknowledged there is more work that needs to be done.

As part of the 2017 Stipulated Order adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board), the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) must go before the Water Board annually to report on the progress of restoration work at the Salton Sea. CNRA is the agency charged with leading the state’s phased approach to restoration, known as the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP). On April 20, the CNRA provided its latest report to the Water Board as outlined in the 2022 SSMP Annual Report. During a five-hour hearing, the Water Board voiced its support

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Bruce Wilcox: A Man Dedicated to the Salton Sea

In this file photo, Bruce Wilcox, at the time Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy under the California Natural Resources Agency, discusses the concept of water importation for long-term Salton Sea restoration planning during a workshop held Oct. 4, 2018, at the Imperial County Board of Supervisors’ chambers.

A man who dedicated much of his career to Salton Sea issues passed away in January. His name was Bruce Wilcox, the former (and first) Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy for the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)—among other hats he wore related to the Salton Sea during his career. As opposed to reviewing Bruce’s long career and years of work on the Salton Sea, this blog coveys my personal experience and appreciation for a man I had the opportunity to work with and learn from on issues related to the sea. The message I hope readers take away from

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A Year in Review—and Hope for the Year to Come

The above image includes a collage of photographs from the water-related issues covered on the Home Page water blog of this website and the Community Spotlight section of the site.

As 2021 ends, and we look toward a new year that will undoubtedly bring challenges—but also hope—this blog post seeks to reflect on the year from the standpoint of water and community stories covered.

It goes without saying that 2021 was a difficult year as COVID-19 continued its grasp on all aspects of life. Even in the face of the pandemic, the work of providing water as an essential service continued for every agency with the responsibility of making sure their constituents have the water they need to sustain their communities, farms and businesses. This past year highlighted the challenges statewide and throughout the Colorado River Basin associated with providing that water service in the face of a

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