Bombay Beach Wetland Enhancement Project

The Bombay Beach Wetland Enhancement Project is a restoration initiative led by the California Department of Water Resources and approved by the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board. The project focuses on restoring approximately 790 acres of exposed lakebed along the shoreline of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. This effort is designed to mitigate the impact of declining shallow groundwater levels caused by the receding Salton Sea, ensuring long-term net benefits to biodiversity and environmental protection. Key activities include the re-establishment and enhancement of shallow water habitats, vegetation enhancement, and the removal of invasive species, while also creating new opportunities for public recreation. The project operates under the Statewide Restoration General Order No. WQ 2022-0048-DWQ and utilizes a Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects under CEQA Section 21080.56, with concurrence from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project is categorized under NAICS code 541620 and is managed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 7.