Office of Spill Prevention & Response About OSPR Cal Spill WatchCal Spill WatchCal Spill Watch(opens in new tab) Contingency & Response Plans Drills & Exercises / ICS Enforcement Financial Responsibility Harbor Safety Laws & Regulations News & Publications Grants & Outreach Oil Spill Response Organizations Response Resources Restoration (NRDA) Science & Wildlife Spill Management Teams Volunteer Opportunities Summary Spill Location. LOCATION: Searles Dry Lake, near Trona, San Bernardino County DATE: Chronic and continuing. INCIDENT SUMMARY: Hypersaline industrial wastewater is discharged into several large ponds. Migrating birds stopping at the ponds have died from salt toxicosis, salt encrustation, oiling, and possibly other causes. RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Searles Valley Minerals (formerly IMC Chemicals) NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Lahonton Regional Water Quality Control Board. RESOURCES IMPACTED: Birds (over 2,000 collected Jan 2000 through July 2005, primarily loons, grebes, and waterfowl). SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the case using a mitigation plan approved under DFG Code 3005. The mitigation plan allows for the continuing take of birds (not to exceed an average of 241 birds/year) in exchange for continued bird protection and rescue efforts and a contribution of up to $550,000 (plus $10K/year for maintenance for 40 years) for a 100+ acre wetlands creation project at the south end of Owens Lake. STATUS OF RESTORATION: Restoration completed. Available Documents Injury Report (PDF) Appendix A (PDF) Update on Bird Impacts January 2011 (PDF) Section 3005 Plan (PDF) Contact Michael Anderson Email: Michael.Anderson@wildlife.ca.gov Phone: (916) 375-6672