The Desert Shores Restoration Project (“the Project”) located in Imperial County is a community-initiated endeavor aimed at revitalizing five dry shoreline channels previously connected to the Salton Sea. The Project proposes constructing a berm at the mouth of the south channel and refilling the channels to support wildlife, fish and recreational activities using groundwater from an adjacent location where a well will be drilled. The Desert Shores channels, which were originally connected to the Salton Sea, became isolated in the early 2000s due, in large part, to declining agricultural water inflows to the Salton Sea (Figure 1). This has left the channels in a dry condition, except for stormwater runoff which creates areas of stagnant water. This residual water is highly concentrated saltwater making the channels unsuitable for fish, birds, wildlife, and recreation. Among the consequences of the dry channels are increased local dust levels, compromised air quality, blight where there was once beauty, and diminished property values. The Project’s overarching goal is to repair, restore, and maintain the Desert Shores channels following the ecological disaster that has impacted this community.
