PWA - Project Detail - South Bay Salt Pond Restoration

In 2003, State and Federal agencies acquired 15,100 acres of former salt ponds in the South Bay providing the opportunity for regional wetlands restoration, integrated with flood management and public access improvements. PWA and the project management team are working closely with the partner agency staff, and are engaging trustee and regulatory agencies, local governments, NGOs, and the public to produce a scientifically-sound, widely-supported plan for implementation. The project is fast-tracked, with construction to begin just five years after land acquisition.

PWA worked with the Project Management Team to develop a long-term plan for habitat restoration, flood management and public access based on extensive public input and scientific review. The plan provides a long-term vision for achieving the project objectives incorporating ongoing monitoring and adaptive management. PWA addressed planning for all technical areas, including:

PWA is preparing the environmental impact analysis for the long-term plan at a broad level of detail and for Phase 1 at a greater level of detail. Future project phases will tier off the long-term plan environmental documentation.

PWA is leading the development of final design and construction documents for the 2,800-acre Phase 1. The PWA team is assisting the project sponsors in obtaining the necessary permits from local, regional, state and federal agencies. PWA is coordinating with these agencies early-on to streamline the approval process and to avoid unexpected delays in a fast-track permitting schedule.

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Title		South Bay Salt Pond Restoration (PDF) 132k
Project Summary		The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the west coast of the United States. This multi-disciplinary, multi-objective restoration project will be implemented in a series of phases over several decades. PWA prepared the long-term restoration plan, NEPA/CEQA documentation, and is completing final design and permitting for restoration of 2,800 acres in the first phase of project implementation.
Date		2004 - 2008
Location		South San Francisco Bay, CA
Client		California State Coastal Conservancy and Resources Legacy Fund

Project Detail		In 2003, State and Federal agencies acquired 15,100 acres of former salt ponds in the South Bay providing the opportunity for regional wetlands restoration, integrated with flood management and public access improvements. PWA and the project management team are working closely with the partner agency staff, and are engaging trustee and regulatory agencies, local governments, NGOs, and the public to produce a scientifically-sound, widely-supported plan for implementation. The project is fast-tracked, with construction to begin just five years after land acquisition. Development of the Long-term Restoration Plan PWA worked with the Project Management Team to develop a long-term plan for habitat restoration, flood management and public access based on extensive public input and scientific review. The plan provides a long-term vision for achieving the project objectives incorporating ongoing monitoring and adaptive management. PWA addressed planning for all technical areas, including: Biology: key issues were identifying the right balance of tidal marsh and managed pond habitat, and management for invasive species Flood Management: the plan includes conceptual design for a system of shoreline levees to improve fluvial and coastal flood protection Hydrodynamics: Baywide 2-D hydrodynamic and salinity transport modeling was conducted to inform project phasing and design Water Quality: the project must be designed and managed to avoid the problems of low dissolved oxygen and mercury methylization Public Access: the plan will complete significant portions of the Bay Trail and offer a range of other high-quality public access opportunities Cost Estimating: cost estimates were used to develop a lower-cost plan and for fund-raising. NEPA/CEQA Environmental Review PWA is preparing the environmental impact analysis for the long-term plan at a broad level of detail and for Phase 1 at a greater level of detail. Future project phases will tier off the long-term plan environmental documentation. Final Design and Permitting PWA is leading the development of final design and construction documents for the 2,800-acre Phase 1. The PWA team is assisting the project sponsors in obtaining the necessary permits from local, regional, state and federal agencies. PWA is coordinating with these agencies early-on to streamline the approval process and to avoid unexpected delays in a fast-track permitting schedule.