CA State Parks making new plans for future of Salton Sea State Recreation Area
Daniella Lake
SALTON SEA, Calif. (KESQ) – California State Parks is preparing a new general plan for the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and is inviting the public to participate in the process through a series of workshops this month.
“It’s in need of some rehabilitation, in need of some increased public spaces. And so in order to invest significant amount of capital, we are in need of a general plan which helps guide that type of improvement,” says Enrique Arroyo, Ocotillo Wells district superintendent.
The general plan will establish a long-term vision for the park, which has changed significantly since the park was designated as a state recreation area in 1963.
“It’s really actually pretty trippy to see this big body of water in the middle of Southern California and there’s nobody in the water,” says Cyrus Chen, a visitor.
Declining water levels have reshaped recreation opportunities at the park and impacted the park’s ecosystem, leading to death of wildlife throughout the past two decades. By creating a new general plan, California State Parks is hoping to increase opportunities for land-based recreation.
“It’s really just a beautiful place for people to come in and walk around and just take in the unique natural environment that exists here,” says Joe Shea with California Natural Resources Agency.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s new proposed budget for the state includes 30 million dollars towards habitat restoration and new public access opportunities.