PWA - Project Detail - Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration

The Dutch Slough project will restore a diversity of tidal wetland, riparian, and coastal dune habitats to a 1200-acre site currently used for grazing and dairy operations. The project is significant in two ways: (1) it is the first planned large-scale tidal wetland restoration in the Delta and (2) it was an adaptive management framework to test different restoration approaches. Adaptive management will inform future large-scale restorations, providing the answers CALFED /California Bay-Delta Authority needs to meet their long-term restoration goals. The project will also preserve open space in the rapidly urbanizing area of eastern Contra Costa County.

PWA developed a conceptual restoration plan and feasibility study for the Dutch Slough project. The restoration plan will:

The restoration plan will need to avoid impacts to: water quality for drinking water diverted from the Delta; onsite infrastructure for power, gas, and wastewater transmission; flooding; and groundwater seepage on lands adjacent to the site. The plan will also seek to minimize the potential for increasing the bioavailability of methyl-mercury.

PWA is working at the direction of the project management team - the California State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Water Resources, and the City of Oakley - and is working closely with an interdisciplinary panel of scientists and technical experts to develop and implement an adaptive management plan for the Dutch Slough site.

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Title		Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration (PDF) 70k
Project Summary		PWA developed a conceptual restoration plan & feasibility study for the Dutch Slough project which will restore a diversity of tidal wetland, riparian, and coastal dune habitats to a 1200-acre site.
Date		2003 - 2006
Location		Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Contra Costa County, CA
Client		California State Coastal Conservancy (funded by California Bay-Delta Authority)

Project Detail		The Dutch Slough project will restore a diversity of tidal wetland, riparian, and coastal dune habitats to a 1200-acre site currently used for grazing and dairy operations. The project is significant in two ways: (1) it is the first planned large-scale tidal wetland restoration in the Delta and (2) it was an adaptive management framework to test different restoration approaches. Adaptive management will inform future large-scale restorations, providing the answers CALFED /California Bay-Delta Authority needs to meet their long-term restoration goals. The project will also preserve open space in the rapidly urbanizing area of eastern Contra Costa County. PWA developed a conceptual restoration plan and feasibility study for the Dutch Slough project. The restoration plan will: Re-establish natural ecological processes to sustain freshwater tidal marsh, riparian woodland, native grassland, and coastal dune habitats on the subsided site to benefit native species; Use an explicit adaptive management framework to test scientific hypotheses regarding restoration approaches, habitat value, and water quality; and Accommodate the public access plan for a trail system, interpretive centers, a community park, and a waterfront recreation facility. The restoration plan will need to avoid impacts to: water quality for drinking water diverted from the Delta; onsite infrastructure for power, gas, and wastewater transmission; flooding; and groundwater seepage on lands adjacent to the site. The plan will also seek to minimize the potential for increasing the bioavailability of methyl-mercury. PWA is working at the direction of the project management team - the California State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Water Resources, and the City of Oakley - and is working closely with an interdisciplinary panel of scientists and technical experts to develop and implement an adaptive management plan for the Dutch Slough site.