The Californer - California: Delta's largest-ever tidal wetland restoration project completed, reducing flood risk and supporting wildlife

Trending...

~ Sacramento, CA - The largest tidal wetland restoration project in the Delta has been completed, providing vital habitat for sensitive fish species and other wildlife while also reducing flood risk in the Central Valley. The Lookout Slough project, which spans 3,400 acres, was celebrated today with a levee breaching at the eastern edge of the project in Solano County.

This milestone marks the first time in a century that tidal waters are flowing into this restored habitat, supporting fish and wildlife and providing 100-year flood protection for surrounding communities. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the project as an example of California's commitment to protecting both communities and ecosystems from climate-driven extremes in weather.

"California is building on our global climate leadership with innovative solutions that work with nature to safeguard our communities, ecosystems and local economies on the front lines of climate-driven floods and drought," said Governor Newsom. "This project and the strong partnerships at the heart of its success demonstrate how we can meet the needs of Californians while protecting our rich natural heritage for generations to come."

More on The Californer

The Lookout Slough project is part of the state's effort to advance multi-benefit projects that combat the effects of climate change. It supports California's ambitious targets for nature-based solutions and is one of over a hundred ongoing projects statewide led or supported by the Department of Water Resources.

The project broke ground in June 2022 and included building over three miles of a 25-foot-tall setback levee, excavating 26 miles of open tidal channels, and restoring native habitat through natural revegetation and other strategies. In addition to providing flood protection, Lookout Slough will also offer recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing and fishing.

"This multi-benefit project is a testament to California's commitment to balancing water needs with environmental protection," said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. "We are proud to be a part of this effort to create habitat and protect special status species in California's waterways."

The completion of the Lookout Slough project is a significant step towards achieving the state's goals for nature-based solutions. It also aligns with Governor Newsom's efforts to build more, faster through upgrades to critical infrastructure and other projects across California.

More on The Californer

More information about the project and content from today's levee breaching can be found on the Department of Water Resources website. The site also includes photos and B-roll footage of the event.

In other news, Governor Newsom's Housing Accountability Unit has unlocked over 7,500 new housing units for California families since 2022. This unit, which oversees homelessness efforts, has been working tirelessly to provide relief for Californians struggling with housing insecurity.

Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Crime Task Force has made over 1,000 arrests and recovered $7.8 million in stolen goods this year alone. The task force continues to crack down on retail crime and is on track to surpass last year's enforcement totals.

As the state continues to face challenges related to climate change and other issues, projects like Lookout Slough serve as a reminder of California's commitment to finding innovative solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

Filed Under: Government, State

0 Comments

Latest on The Californer