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Nestled in the southern California desert, the Salton Sea is a desert jewel in danger of disappearing forever.

Don’t let one of North America’s most important areas for migratory birds wither away! Tell the California Department of Water Resources to adequately protect the Salton Sea!

Water diversion plans could cause the Sea to evaporate away, devastating migratory bird populations. Over the next two decades, this 360-square-mile lake will decrease by 30 percent -- rapidly shrinking vital wildlife habitat and increasing the amount of dust and salt that blows through the surrounding communities.

With over 90 percent of California’s wetlands gone, the Salton Sea has become an important stopping point for over 400 species of birds -- millions of individuals -- migrating up and down the Pacific Coast.

Millions of migratory birds -- including the imperiled brown pelican, Yuma clapper rail and the western snowy plover -- depend on the Sea as a vital stopover for their migration.

Help save the Salton Sea and the birds that depend on it.

Late last year, the California Department of Water Resources released a report assessing eight proposals to restore the Salton Sea. Unfortunately, none of the plans alone would adequately protect the people and wildlife that depend on the Sea.

A plan that takes parts of the report’s alternatives would provide the best path to restoring wildlife habitat while adequately protecting air and water quality for the surrounding communities.

The Salton Sea is important to bird lovers everywhere and it must be protected. Speak out now -- your comments must be received by the January 17th deadline.

The State of California has an opportunity to restore this desert jewel -- and with your help we can set the course for a successful restoration of the Salton Sea and protect the people and wildlife that depend on it.

Sincerely, Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife

P.S. For more information about the Salton Sea and the restoration planning effort, please go to our Salton Sea web site: http://www.saltonseacoalition.org/