Wood Creek Project

Wood Creek Project

A Conditional Use Permit to allow restoration activities to occur on a 54-acre "Freshwater Farms Reserve" currently owned and managed by the Northcoast Regional Land Trust (NRLT). Wood Creek, a perennial stream, crosses through the property before entering Freshwater Slough. To enhance salmonid and tidewater goby access, the project proposes to restore tidal hydrology to diked-former tidelands through the expansion of brackish marsh habitat and the removal of the primary barrier to fish migration on Wood Creek. In 2005, McBain & Tush Inc. developed the Freshwater Slough Estuary Rehabilitation Project for the California Department of Fish and Game. Based on McBain & Tush's work, the NRLT and the Redwood Community Action Agency's Natural Resources Services (RCAA) subsequently applied for and received public funding to implement the Wood Creek Estuary, Tidal Marsh, and Fish Access Enhancement Project (the project). The applicants collected baseline topographic and hydrologic data, proposed four alternative concenptual designs, and with public input selected a preferred design to restore and preserve estuarine and tidal marsh functions, and improve fish access through the conversion of approximately 29 acres of seasonal pasture to brackish marsh habitat. Project activities include: removal of the existing tidegate on Wood Creek, removal of a defunct waterman tidegate and culvert south of Wood Creek, relocation of cattle fencing to the future borders of the restoration area, installation of a salinity sill, improving an existing stream crossing by replacement of a failed culvert with a flat car bridge, excavating slough channels and redistribution of spoils to create desired surface elevations, and the planting of salt marsh and riparian vegetation. The project is located within the California Coastal Commission's retained Coastal Permit jurisdiction. Natural Resources Use Types such as Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management, Watershed Management, and Wetland Restoration are Conditionally Permitted Uses within the Agriculture Exclusive Zone.

Eureka

Humboldt