RUSS CREEK AND CENTERVILLE SLOUGH RESTORATION PROJECT
The Project Area is approximately 1,480 acres in the Eel River Estuary west of the City of Ferndale, in Humboldt County, California. It encompasses the Eel River Wildlife Preserve, owned by The Wildlands Conservancy, and several other privately owned parcels. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has worked cooperatively with the private landowners to acquire five (5) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) 1,240 acres of the Project Area. These are perpetual conservation easements that seek to protect and restore wetland habitat while allowing limited livestock grazing in
suitable habitat types.
The Project is intended to restore tidal wetlands in a dynamic environment experiencing sea level rise and storm and wave overwash events. Restoration work will reestablish tidal processes by excavating four (4) miles of Centerville Slough to reconnect the estuary with tidal wetland and tributary streams. The Project will also reconnect tidal channel networks and enhance approximately 500 acres of former wetlands previously diked and drained for agriculture. Revegetation and ongoing invasive species management will maintain newly restored areas. To enhance aquatic species passage and protect adjacent agricultural lands from tidal inundation and overwash, the Project will repair an existing tide gate and construct a combination of set-back berms and back dunes incorporating fish-friendly gated culverts. A stretch of Russ Creek will be realigned, deepened, and planted with riparian vegetation. In summary, the Project will incorporate improvements to facilitate agricultural operations, Project maintenance, and public access.
Project documents can be found here.
Historical Maps
1890 Map
1916 Map
