Audubon and the Salton Sea

What happens at the Salton Sea is as important to birds as was the first Audubon fight to keep them from being slaughtered in the name of fashion. Not only because of the sheer numbers of birds affected, (literally millions), but also because water is rapidly becoming so scarce that it is imperative we backup the fight we started at Mono Lake and continue ensuring that wildlife has a legal right to water and that providing water for wildlife is considered a “beneficial use” of water.

So, why won’t the birds just go somewhere else if the Salton Sea dries up?  In the 1800’s California had 5 million acres of wetlands. In the year 2000 California had about 450,000 acres of wetlands left – so birds from the Pacific, Central and Atlantic flyways, all use the Salton Sea as a stopover spot. This translates into literally MILLIONS of birds using the Sea and surrounding agricultural lands, some traveling from as far north as Russia and as far south as Peru. The Sea hosts HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of shorebirds (44 different species) during their winter migration.

Scarcity of water is the threat to the Salton Sea ecosystem right now.  California has been forced to reduce it’s use of Colorado river water and an agreement, known as the QSA, was signed in September of ‘03 that enables the transfer of water from the Imperial Irrigation District to the San Diego County Water Authority.  This is water that is currently used to irrigate agricultural fields and then runs off into the Salton Sea.  Thus, when implemented, the size of the Salton Sea will be reduced, by as much as half.  It is foreseeable that this will also entail fallowing of agricultural lands, further reducing bird habitat in the area.

An important point to remember is that many of the bird species need both the flooded fields and the sea to survive.  So it isn’t enough to simply save the Salton Sea – we must also save the surrounding agricultural lands that provide habitat. Or, we may wind up winning the battle, but losing the war.

White-faced Ibis by Henry Detwiller, Southwest Birders
Wood Stork by Henry Detwiller, Southwest Birders

It also seems likely that there will be additional water transfers in the future – further degrading this ecosystem and facilitating growth in the surrounding cities of San Diego and Riverside counties.

You can make a difference for the millions of birds depending on the Salton Sea Ecosystem. From time to time, as events warrant, Audubon California will send out mailings or urgent notices concerning actions being taken at the Salton Sea. If you are willing to join me in ensuring the continued survival of our migratory birds, please send an email with your contact information to: advocate@audubonsaltonsea.org  (This information will not be shared with anyone).

Kathie Satterfield
Salton Sea Campaign Coordinator
Audubon California

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