State parks seek input on Salton Sea recreation plan
Virtual workshop scheduled later this month
– California State Parks is preparing a General Plan for Salton Sea State Recreation Area and is inviting the public to participate in the planning process through a series of in-person and virtual workshops this month.
The General Plan will serve as the park’s primary long-term management document and will include goals and guidelines for future recreation opportunities, resource protection, facility development, and park improvements, services, and programs.
“California State Parks encourages park visitors, local residents, tribal representatives, and other stakeholders to participate in the planning process,” Ocotillo Wells District Superintendent Enrique Arroyo said. “The feedback we receive is instrumental in helping shape the park’s future for decades to come.”
California State Parks will host three public workshops to share information about the General Plan process and gather feedback that will help guide future planning decisions for the park. To maximize opportunities for public involvement, two in-person workshops and one virtual workshop will be held, with each workshop covering the same material.
The first workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bombay Beach Community Center, located at 9590 Avenue C in Niland. The second workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, located at 99155 Sea View Drive in Mecca. A virtual workshop will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom, click here to register.
During the workshops, participants will have opportunities to learn more about the General Plan, review current conditions and issues, and share comments and concerns. Feedback received will help guide the development of the General Plan and inform future planning decisions for Salton Sea State Recreation Area.
Registration is not required but is appreciated. Information on attending the in-person and virtual meetings, including Zoom access details, is available on the project website at saltonseasragp.com. California State Parks encourages the public to visit the website for updates and additional opportunities to provide input throughout the planning process.
California State Parks supports equal access. Those who need reasonable modification or special accommodation for the meetings are encouraged to reach out to OcotilloWellsDistrict@parks.ca.gov.
The Salton Sea State Recreation Area covers 14 miles of the northeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial and Riverside counties. The area is one of the world’s largest inland seas and one of the lowest points on Earth, at 236 feet below sea level. The park has long been a destination for campers. In recent decades, reduced inflows into the sea have led to declining water levels and increasing salinity, creating ecological challenges and impacts to surrounding communities. Despite these conditions, the recreation area continues to offer opportunities such as camping, birdwatching, picnicking, photography, nature appreciation, and hiking.
