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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has injected $10.6 million into the San Francisco Bay Area’s watershed protection efforts, marking a significant boost for local environmental initiatives. The San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP), a collaborative entity hosted by the Association of Bay Area Governments, secured these grants to advance projects in Hayward, Richmond, San Pablo, and North Richmond. With matching funds from local partners, these projects aim to enhance water quality, mitigate flooding, and bolster climate resilience.
Revitalizing Wildcat Creek: A Community-Driven Approach
The Wildcat Creek project, allocated $12.2 million, exemplifies a comprehensive approach to watershed restoration. Spanning the creek’s entire 13-mile length, this initiative will create a watershed-scale restoration action plan, implement critical restoration in the lower watershed, and design plans to improve access to the bay shoreline for underserved communities.
The project’s scope includes restoring a mile of Wildcat Creek and 10 acres of adjacent habitat, enhancing fish passage, and stockpiling sediment for future climate adaptation projects. By removing 50,000 cubic yards of sediment, the project aims to significantly reduce flooding risk in North Richmond. The SFEP will collaborate with various community-based organizations and public partners, including The Watershed Project and Urban Tilth, to ensure the project’s success and community engagement.
Pivot Points: Advancing Nature-Based Solutions
With a $9 million budget, the Pivot Points project focuses on implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) for shoreline adaptation and water quality improvements. This initiative aims to restore 830 acres of tidal marsh, advance the First Mile Levee in Hayward to a shovel-ready state, and reduce nitrogen loads in the Bay.
The project addresses critical gaps in NBS implementation, tackling permitting barriers, establishing long-term governance plans, and facilitating technology transfer. By partnering with organizations like the East Bay Dischargers Authority and Save The Bay, the SFEP seeks to increase regional expertise in applying NBS to environmental challenges while advancing the on-ground implementation of the First Mile Horizontal Levee.
These projects underscore the SFEP’s commitment to protecting and restoring the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, a vital resource for millions of people, hundreds of communities, and diverse wildlife species. As climate change continues to pose threats to coastal areas, these initiatives represent a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and community resilience.