Redwood Creek Estuary Restoration
Continuing Authority, Section 1135
PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The Redwood Creek estuary is located in Humboldt County, CA. It is well documented that the Redwood Creek Federal levees have reduced the size, complexity, and ecological function of the Redwood Creek estuary, while exacerbating flooding and invasive species plant expansion in the agricultural lands behind the levees. This project represents a significant opportunity to restore hydraulic, sediment and floodplain processes necessary to restore and sustain ecological function in lower Redwood Creek. Such restoration is critical for improving critical habitat for ESA listed such as the Chinook, coho and steelhead salmonids as well as other fish and wildlife that are native to this watershed. These restoration opportunities have been studied by federal, state, and academic scientists and there is strong consensus that a restored estuary will directly benefit habitat for fish and wildlife. The Redwood Creek estuary also lies within the ancestral territory of the Yurok Tribe and has provided marine and freshwater resources to their people since time immemorial.
TOTAL FUNDING
TOTAL COST $ 1,560,000
FEDERAL COST $ 830,000
NON-FEDERAL COST $ 730,000
TOTAL FEDERAL COST THROUGH FY 2023 $ 100,000
FY 2024 BUDGET $ 200,000
COST TO COMPLETE $ 530,000
FY23 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Approved project management plan (PMP)
- Sponsor secured grant funding for non-Federal sponsor (NFS) cost share.
- Public involvement plan drafted based on robust Tribal and stakeholder engagement.
FY24 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Execution of the feasibility cost sharing agreement (FCSA)
- Initiation of feasibility study
ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION
- The State of California grant levered by the NFS for the costshare will only provide grant funds once tasks are completed. This is problematic for any Corps’ study because our FCSA requires that cash be provided in advance of the funded effort and the NFS does not have funds on hand to meet this requirement. SPN is working to resolve this issue.
- Engineering With Nature (EWN) principles will be leveraged to restore the estuary while meeting the flood risk management requirements related to the authorized project.
- Comprehensive benefits will be quantified to evaluate the effects of alternatives.
- It is the policy of the Army to encourage floodplain restoration, as it encourages community resilience and provides benefits to both the ecosystem and human wellbeing. It is also the policy not to increase flood risks or decrease life safety.
CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST
- 2nd District, Rep. Jared Huffman
POINT OF CONTACT
- Deputy for Project Management, Thomas R. Williams, 415-503-6560
Updated on 7 March 2024