States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Shapiro Administration Highlights How Stream Restoration Helps Pennsylvania Anglers
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued the following news on April 10, 2026:
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Shapiro Administration Highlights How Stream Restoration Helps Pennsylvania Anglers
A Lancaster County cleanup project delivered safe drinking water through HSCA, as Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 budget proposal calls for funding to keep projects moving forward
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Intercourse, PA - Today, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley visited a Lancaster County community that now has access to clean drinking water thanks to the
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued the following news on April 10, 2026:
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Shapiro Administration Highlights How Stream Restoration Helps Pennsylvania Anglers
A Lancaster County cleanup project delivered safe drinking water through HSCA, as Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 budget proposal calls for funding to keep projects moving forward
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Intercourse, PA - Today, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley visited a Lancaster County community that now has access to clean drinking water thanks to theHazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) Program, highlighting both the success of the project and the need for sustained funding to continue similar efforts across Pennsylvania.
"People here are now enjoying clean, pollution-free drinking water because of HSCA, but future projects could be in jeopardy due to the lack of consistent, long-term funding," said Secretary Shirley. "Governor Shapiro supports and believes in HSCA, and his budget proposal provides temporary support, but the program still needs a sustainable funding solution. Without one, successful projects like this will not be possible."
Homes and businesses in the Intercourse Village area of Leacock Township had relied on private wells for drinking water. More than 20 years ago, DEP found that the groundwater supplying those wells was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). When no responsible party could be identified, a feasibility study recommended constructing a public water system to serve the area.
Through HSCA, more than $22 million was invested in the engineering and construction of a new public water system, which became fully operational in 2020 and now provides safe drinking water to the community.
Governor Shapiro has proposed a one-time $20 million transfer in the 2026-27 budget proposal to support HSCA, which will allow for state-led site investigations and remediation projects. The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment. The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania's Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/newsroom/2026-04-10-shapiro-administration-highlights-cleanup-project-that-delivered-safe-drinking-water-in-lancaster-county
R.I. Health Dept.: EPA Recognizes Rhode Island Drinking Water Project for Excellence and Innovation
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 11 -- The Rhode Island Department of Health issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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EPA Recognizes Rhode Island Drinking Water Project for Excellence and Innovation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that a drinking water infrastructure consolidation project at the Scituate Housing Authority's Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community, Scituate High School, and Scituate Middle School was one of the recipients of its annual, prestigious Excellence in System Partnerships awards.
Supported by the Rhode Island Department
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 11 -- The Rhode Island Department of Health issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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EPA Recognizes Rhode Island Drinking Water Project for Excellence and Innovation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that a drinking water infrastructure consolidation project at the Scituate Housing Authority's Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community, Scituate High School, and Scituate Middle School was one of the recipients of its annual, prestigious Excellence in System Partnerships awards.
Supported by the Rhode Island Departmentof Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) through a $1,662,100 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with 100% principal forgiveness, the project resulted in the connection of the Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community to the well-based drinking water system used by Scituate's middle and high schools.
The Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community houses 23 elderly residents. For several years before this project's completion in late 2025, the facility operated an aging system with multiple maximum contaminant level exceedances, as well as multiple pressure loss incidents that resulted in precautionary boil water notices. Work to get the Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community connected to a new water source was a complex water engineering, compliance, and financing project that involved close coordination between RIDOH, RIIB, the EPA, the Scituate School Department, and multiple engineering firms. The water system would not have been able to incur the debt sufficient to finance this project without the fully forgiven loan.
"Across the country, states are putting State Revolving Fund resources to work in ways that deliver real, lasting benefits for communities by modernizing aging systems, strengthening resilience, and ensuring families can rely on safe, clean water every day," said Jess Kramer, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. "These projects show that when we pair federal investment with state leadership, we can protect human health, support local economies, and reach communities that have too often been left behind."
"We are working every day to create a healthier Rhode Island. Ensuring that people have drinking water that is healthy and safe is an important part of that work," said Governor Dan McKee. "We are thankful to the EPA for their partnership on this project, as well as all the state and local partners who made this effort an enormous success."
"All Rhode Islanders deserve access to drinking water that is healthy and safe," said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. "The expertise on our Drinking Water Quality team at RIDOH, and the tremendous collaboration with partners throughout the state and at the federal level, helped make this vision a reality for the residents of the Rockland Oaks Senior Housing Community."
"This recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlights the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank's ability to bring partners together and deliver smart, targeted financing solutions for a wide array of projects that improve the quality of life for Rhode Islanders," said Bill Fazioli, the Executive Director of RIIB. "At Rockland Oaks, that meant using a fully forgiven loan to make it possible for 23 elderly residents who had faced years of unsafe and unreliable water to now have access to clean, dependable drinking water. We're proud of our work with the Rhode Island Department of Health and our local partners on this project to deliver safe, clean water to the residents of Rockland Oaks."
The EPA's Excellence in System Partnerships award is part of its AQUARIUS program, which celebrates drinking water projects financed in part by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that are innovative, resilient, and protect public health. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is a federal-state partnership to assist public water systems in ensuring safe drinking water by providing a financing mechanism for infrastructure projects. While 22 projects carried out by state or local governments and drinking water utilities were recognized by the 2026 AQUARIUS program, the Rhode Island project was one of five that were highlighted by EPA and deemed exceptional for its benefits to public health.
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Original text here: https://www.ri.gov/press/view/50698
Pa. Community & Economic Development Dept.: Shapiro Administration to Turn Brownfield Site in Bucks County Into Shovel-Ready Residential Development
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development issued the following news on April 10, 2026:
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Shapiro Administration to Turn Brownfield Site in Bucks County into Shovel-Ready Residential Development
The Bucks County Redevelopment Authority will use the $125,625 grant for soil remediation, removal of an abandoned underground storage tank, and groundwater sampling.
The Sellersville Borough site will be reused for residential redevelopment when remediation is complete.
Projects like this one reinforce the Shapiro Administration's commitment
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development issued the following news on April 10, 2026:
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Shapiro Administration to Turn Brownfield Site in Bucks County into Shovel-Ready Residential Development
The Bucks County Redevelopment Authority will use the $125,625 grant for soil remediation, removal of an abandoned underground storage tank, and groundwater sampling.
The Sellersville Borough site will be reused for residential redevelopment when remediation is complete.
Projects like this one reinforce the Shapiro Administration's commitmentto creating healthier communities for Pennsylvanians while also investing in the Commonwealth's economic future.
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Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the approval of $125,625 through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) to the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to perform site remediation at 900 East Clymer Avenue in Sellersville Borough -- paving the way for new residential development.
The approximately 4.9-acre brownfield site was historically used as an industrial manufacturer of air pressure and temperature gauges until the mid-1990s. Following the remediation work, the site will meet environmental conditions for residential redevelopment under the Land Recycling Program, creating a shovel-ready site for developers.
"Transforming former industrial sites into new opportunities is how we build stronger, healthier communities across Pennsylvania," said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. "This investment will help turn a long-idle property in Sellersville into a safe, productive space for residential development -- supporting local revitalization while protecting public health. Through programs like the Industrial Sites Reuse Program, we're continuing to make strategic investments that prepare sites for their next chapter and position our communities for long-term growth."
ISRP funds will be used for soil remediation, closure and removal of an abandoned 20,000-gallon underground storage tank and quarterly groundwater sampling.
"The Industrial Sites Reuse Program is an important tool to return former brownfields to productive use, and in this case, adding much needed housing stock for Pennsylvania," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "Supported by an annual $3 million transfer from the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, the Land Recycling Program collaborates with DCED to provide grants and loans that help finance environmental assessments and site cleanups throughout Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro has called for $20 million for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund so that we can continue putting projects like this one on the ground."
Governor Shapiro has called for an additional $20 million for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund in his 2026-27 Budget Proposal to protect Pennsylvanians from dangerous toxic waste sites and repurpose the land for economic development. For too long, hazardous waste sites, abandoned mine lands, and abandoned wells have sat vacant and released toxic chemicals into the environment because Pennsylvania didn't have the resources or the speed to get projects up and running. Under the Shapiro Administration, we're working to fix that -- building shovel-ready sites, cleaning up abandoned mine land and hazardous waste sites so communities can put those areas back to good use, and aggressively plugging abandoned or orphaned wells that are polluting our air and water.
The ISRP provides loans and grants for environmental assessments and remediation carried out by eligible applicants who did not cause or contribute to the contamination. The program is designed to foster the cleanup of environmental contamination at industrial sites, thereby bringing blighted land into productive reuse.
For more information about the Industrial Sites Reuse Program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website (https://dced.pa.gov/).
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Original text here: https://dced.pa.gov/newsroom/shapiro-administration-to-turn-brownfield-site-in-bucks-county-into-shovel-ready-residential-development/
Minn. Employment & Economic Development Dept.: Public Facilities Authority Announces $197.6 Million in Awards
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 11 -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development issued the following news release on April 9, 2026:
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Public Facilities Authority Announces $197.6 Million in Awards
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced $197.6 million in loans and grants for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in 15 cities throughout the state.
The MPFA helps cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality. Since its inception in 1987, the MPFA has provided nearly
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 11 -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development issued the following news release on April 9, 2026:
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Public Facilities Authority Announces $197.6 Million in Awards
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced $197.6 million in loans and grants for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in 15 cities throughout the state.
The MPFA helps cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality. Since its inception in 1987, the MPFA has provided nearly$7.6 billion for public infrastructure programs statewide, impacting almost every community in Minnesota.
The MPFA provides funding to local governments to build infrastructure for clean water, drinking water and transportation infrastructure projects. Funding for these projects primarily comes from the MPFA's Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF) and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF). Projects can also receive funding from MPFA's Point Source Implementation Grant program, Water Infrastructure Fund and Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program.
"Funding from the MPFA is crucial for towns across Minnesota to invest in public infrastructure that protects public health and the environment," said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Keeping our water clean, drinkable and accessible is a catalyst to economic growth. By investing in the health and well-being of Minnesotans, we are investing in our economy for years to come and helping our state's communities flourish."
Projects and MPFA funding amounts listed below. Funding details for each project are available on the MPFA website (https://mn.gov/deed/pfa/about/awards.jsp).
Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District, $51,000,000
The project will install a new equalization basin and membrane bioreactors, replace the preliminary treatment and the disinfection system and upgrade the solids treatment process.
Dumont, $1,040,000
The project will add improvements to the aging sanitary sewer system infrastructure.
Floodwood, $1,500,000
The project will install new watermains.
Hibbing Public Utilities Commission, $6,500,000
The project will replace an aging watermain.
International Falls, $13,876,914
The project will rehabilitate a water treatment plant.
Le Sueur, $6,394,877
The project will update transition and distribution systems to address aging and undersized infrastructure on Cathcart Street from Commerce Street to North Fourth Street and on North Fourth Street from Bridge Street to Dakota Street.
Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System, $2,500,000
The project will design and construct contact basin, water storage and water treatment facility improvements in Fortier Township.
Medford, $4,500,000
The project will connect the city of Medford's sanitary sewer collection system to the city of Owatonna's treatment system. Medford's water treatment plant will be demolished after the project's completion.
Metropolitan Council, $44,000,000
Cash flow financing for Metropolitan Council wastewater capital improvement projects.
Minneapolis, $4,500,000
Predesign and design for drinking water distribution.
Mound, $10,300,000
Predesign, design and construction of drinking water infrastructure.
Park Rapids, $151,514
The project will replace existing lead service lines with copper lines.
Red Rock Rural Water System, $1,252,000
The project will install ground storage reservoirs for Jeffers and Cottonwood counties.
Sandstone, $472,545
The project will add a new chemical system to the existing wastewater pond treatment center.
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (Duluth), $49,641,431
The funding will support four projects: completion of a bypassing flow from the Knowlton Creek force main; a Lakeside neighborhood concrete interceptor pipe rehabilitation; removal and replacement of four 160-foot final clarifiers at the wastewater treatment plant; and completion of the Carlton Pump Station change order.
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Original text here: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/#/detail/appId/1/id/739461
Ill. Employment Security Dept.: Chicago Metro Begins 2026 With Record Number of Monthly Jobs, Nearly 5 Years of Year-Over-Year Growth
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 11 -- The Illinois Department of Employment Security issued the following news:
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Chicago Metro Begins 2026 with Record Number of Monthly Jobs, Nearly 5 Years of Year-Over-Year Growth
Unemployment Rate Ticks Up for Every Metro Area in January
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Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 7 metropolitan areas and increased in 5, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (58 consecutive months) and Champaign (12 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 12 metro areas for the year ending January 2026,
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 11 -- The Illinois Department of Employment Security issued the following news:
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Chicago Metro Begins 2026 with Record Number of Monthly Jobs, Nearly 5 Years of Year-Over-Year Growth
Unemployment Rate Ticks Up for Every Metro Area in January
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Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 7 metropolitan areas and increased in 5, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (58 consecutive months) and Champaign (12 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 12 metro areas for the year ending January 2026,according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
"Chicago's continued job growth underscores the resilience of Illinois' economy, but rising unemployment across metro areas reflects broader uncertainty fueled by shifting federal policies and economic instability," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "We are staying focused on maintaining growth, supporting employers, and investing in Illinois' workforce."
The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Springfield MSA (-2.0%, -2,100) and a tie between the Decatur MSA (-1.3%, -600) and the Rockford MSA (-1.3%, -1,800). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.7%, +1,900), the Peoria MSA (+0.7%, +1,200), and the Lake County Metro Division (+0.6%, +2,000). Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division were up +14,100 (+0.4%). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Mining and Construction (eleven areas), Private Education and Health Services (nine areas), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities and Government (seven areas each).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were a tie between the Kankakee MSA (+1.0 point to 7.2%) and the Rockford MSA (+1.0 point to 6.7%), followed by a tie between the Decatur MSA (+0.9 point to 6.7%) and the Elgin MSA (+0.9 point to 6.0%). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 91 counties, decreased in 4 counties, and was unchanged in 7 counties.
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About the Department of Employment Security
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides vital employment services to Illinois workers, jobseekers, and employers with resources including Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, and WorkShare IL, analyzes and disseminates actionable Labor Market Information, and administers the Unemployment Insurance Program. To see the full range of services provided by IDES, and for the latest news concerning the department, visit IDES.Illinois.gov.
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Original text here: https://ides.illinois.gov/newsroom/2026/jan/chicago-metro-begins-2026-with-record-number-of-december-jobs--y.html
HAWAII A.G. LOPEZ PROVIDES BIWEEKLY UPDATE ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 11 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ PROVIDES BIWEEKLY UPDATE ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
The Department of the Attorney General today issued its regular biweekly update regarding the ongoing criminal investigation into the previously federally disclosed transfer of approximately $35,000 in funds.
The Department's Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) has advanced its investigation by reviewing thousands of pages of subpoenaed materials and conducting 18 interviews
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HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 11 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ PROVIDES BIWEEKLY UPDATE ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
The Department of the Attorney General today issued its regular biweekly update regarding the ongoing criminal investigation into the previously federally disclosed transfer of approximately $35,000 in funds.
The Department's Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) has advanced its investigation by reviewing thousands of pages of subpoenaed materials and conducting 18 interviewsthat have helped refine the timeline of events surrounding the transaction and is bringing investigators closer to resolving key questions.
"I understand that people want answers and we want the same," said Attorney General Anne Lopez. "Following the rule of law is paramount to ensure that individual constitutional rights are protected. Releasing information for any purpose other than to further the investigation would violate my oath of office and my promise to the people of Hawaii.
Lopez added: "I appreciate the responsible reporting from the news media. More than anyone, journalists understand the importance of being absolutely certain of the facts before releasing information."
The criminal investigation remains active. As such, the department cannot identify any individuals or discuss specific evidence. These standard investigative practices are necessary to maintain integrity of the investigation and uphold due process rights.
In line with its commitment to transparency, the department will continue providing biweekly public updates while safeguarding the integrity of the investigation. The next scheduled public update will be provided on Friday, April 24, 2026.
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Original text here: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/News-Release-2026-15.pdf
Calif. Gov. Newsom Launches First New Conservancy in 15 Years to Accelerate Progress at the Salton Sea
SACRAMENTO, California, April 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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Governor Newsom launches first new conservancy in 15 years to accelerate progress at the Salton Sea
New Salton Sea Conservancy will help sustain restoration projects improving air quality, wildlife habitat, and community health
What you need to know: California launches its first conservancy in 15 years at the Salton Sea to support habitat restoration, improve air quality, and deliver lasting benefits to Salton Sea communities. The Salton Sea Conservancy is a major
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SACRAMENTO, California, April 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 10, 2026:
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Governor Newsom launches first new conservancy in 15 years to accelerate progress at the Salton Sea
New Salton Sea Conservancy will help sustain restoration projects improving air quality, wildlife habitat, and community health
What you need to know: California launches its first conservancy in 15 years at the Salton Sea to support habitat restoration, improve air quality, and deliver lasting benefits to Salton Sea communities. The Salton Sea Conservancy is a majorstep towards long-term restoration efforts -- strengthening stewardship, investment, and public access for the communities around the Salton Sea.
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Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the creation of the state's first new conservancy in more than 15 years, marking a major step forward in delivering lasting benefits to Salton Sea communities by supporting long-term habitat restoration efforts at the Salton Sea.
The new Salton Sea Conservancy - a result of Governor Newsom signing into law Senate Bill 583 (Padilla) - will take on a critical role to solidify the state's efforts to protect residents' health, sustain the operation and maintenance of large-scale habitat restoration, and increase public access.
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For too long, communities around the Salton Sea have carried the burden of environmental challenges and neglect. Today, California is changing that by launching the Salton Sea Conservancy to advance cleaner air, protect public health, restore critical ecosystems, and ensure the work we've started creates lasting opportunities for Salton Sea communities.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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""State agencies and our partners are delivering real progress on the ground," said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. "Long-planned projects are now getting built that improve air quality, protect local communities, and restore critical habitat-- and the Salton Sea Conservancy will keep this work moving forward. By guiding long-term stewardship of these projects, the Conservancy allows our state agency to stay focused on what comes next: more projects to protect communities, restore habitat and deliver real results for the people who live here."
The Salton Sea, California's largest inland water body, has shrunk in recent years due to reduced inflows, exposing a lakebed that could release small dust particles that exacerbate air quality challenges in the Imperial Valley. The reduced water levels and increased salinity also negatively impact habitat for wildlife, including millions of birds traveling the Pacific flyway.
A year ago, the state began filling the first major habitat expansion restoration project at the Salton Sea with water covering approximately three square miles, or about four times the size of Disneyland. This work resulted in thousands of fish and birds using the new habitat within months.
The Conservancy's purpose is to support the operation and maintenance of projects like this, helping ensure these investments continue to deliver long-term environmental and public health benefits, including reducing harmful dust from the exposed lakebed and restoring critical wildlife habitat.
"As the state tackles the enormous challenges at the Salton Sea, local representatives need to be at the table when project priorities and funding decisions are being made," said Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). "This state conservancy, the first in nearly two decades, will give local communities an important role in guiding the Sea's future."
"I am honored to join the Salton Sea Conservancy at such a critical moment for our region," said Silvia Paz, Executive Director of Alianza Coachella Valley. "For too long, the communities most impacted by the Salton Sea's decline - such as families dealing with air pollution, children with asthma, residents who have watched this sea shrink before their eyes - have felt the weight of delayed action. The Conservancy gives us the structure to change that. By bringing together the right partners around shared priorities, we can finally align resources, cut through the fragmentation that has slowed progress, and advance real, lasting solutions for the people who need them most. I look forward to the work ahead."
"The Salton Sea Conservancy's creation is a historic moment for this region," said Gina Dockstader, Imperial Irrigation District Director. "Imperial Irrigation District is proud of its collaboration with state and federal officials to support hundreds of millions of dollars for projects that are restoring habitat and suppressing dust at the Salton Sea, and looks forward to working with the Conservancy's members to ensure the long-term benefits of these projects for Salton Sea communities."
Investing in the Salton Sea
On the restoration side, that momentum has continued with major milestones, including the expansion of the state's flagship Species Conservation Habitat Project--now one of the largest restoration efforts in the country--and the start of water deliveries to new habitat ponds supporting fish and bird populations while improving air quality. The total Species Conservation Habitat Project footprint is now envisioned to span 9,400 acres - enough space to fit roughly 7,200 football fields. It will create a network of ponds, berms, nesting and loafing islands, and water delivery systems engineered to sustain fish and bird populations - helping to restore the local ecosystem and protect air quality by reducing dust at a key area of previously exposed lakebed at the Salton Sea.
Since 2019, Governor Newsom has elevated restoration of the Salton Sea as a state priority--accelerating implementation of the Salton Sea Management Plan and securing over half a billion dollars in combined state and federal investments to move projects forward. That investment is paying off on two fronts: a recovering ecosystem and a region being repositioned as an economic powerhouse.
Through the Salton Sea Conservancy, California is building on the ground progress by strengthening long-term stewardship of projects, helping ensure continued investment, and lasting benefits for Salton Sea communities.
California's conservation leadership in action
The Golden State is leading the nation in protecting its natural resources. Through California's 30x30 initiative, a commitment to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030, California added over 1 million acres of conserved land and waters in a single year. That's larger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
Under Governor Newsom's leadership in just the last year, California helped establish two new national monuments and received international recognition for protecting marine habitats. California is also ensuring that all residents can access the state's natural wonders with programs like State Parks' discount pass programs and our Youth Community Access Program.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/04/10/governor-newsom-launches-first-new-conservancy-in-15-years-to-accelerate-progress-at-the-salton-sea/
