California has launched the Salton Sea Conservancy, a new state agency to oversee restoration, manage habitat and improve air quality at the deteriorating inland lake. On Friday Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of a 20-member conservancy board, with members from state agencies, Riverside and Imperial County governments, local water districts, tribal groups and public organizations. The new conservancy is the first created in California in more than 15 years, since the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy was established in 2010. The new body will direct state resources toward what has long been a local problem in the Southern California desert, Newsom said in a statement.

Related articles:

• NBC Los Angeles: Newsom launches conservancy to help restore Salton Sea
• KESQ (Thousand Palms, Calif.): California launches Salton Sea Conservancy, first new conservancy in 15 years
• Imperial Valley Press (El Centro, Calif.): California establishes first new state conservancy in 15 years to save shrinking Salton Sea
• The Desert Review (Brawley, Calif.): Governor Newsom launches first new conservancy in 15 Years to accelerate progress at the Salton Sea
• California Natural Resources Agency: News release: Governor Newsom, CNRA launch state’s first new conservancy in 15 years to help accelerate Salton Sea restoration