The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced earlier this month a new selection of multi-benefit ecosystem restoration and protection projects to receive funding under its Proposition 1 grant program. CalTrout received a $996,986 award from CDFW Proposition 1 Watershed Grant Program for the Cochran Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Rehabilitation Implementation Project.
Earlier in February, CalTrout received $4.9M to Pursue Reconnect Habitat and Protect the Best Projects across the state from the CDFW voter-approved Prop 68 grant program.
Government grants make up 60% of our operating budget, allowing us to execute large-scale and significant programs that benefit wild fish and people in California. In 2014, voters passed Prop 1 which helps provide critical funding for ecosystems and watershed protection and restoration, water supply infrastructure projects, including surface and groundwater storage, and drinking water protection.
Cochran Creek (Humboldt Bay) Fish Passage and Habitat Rehabilitation Implementation Project
$996,986 award from CDFW Proposition 1 Watershed Grant Program.
The Cochran Creek (Humboldt Bay) Fish Passage and Habitat Rehabilitation Implementation Project (Project) will improve fish passage to sustain anadromous populations of coho, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout, as well as to enhance and expand tidal, brackish, freshwater and riparian habitats on Cochran Creek and Quail Slough.
In addition, the Project will restore 930 ft of new stream channel/backwater habitats, 0.6 acres of floodplain, and 0.4 acres of riparian habitat on Cochran Creek. Quail Slough will be widened to 25 ft with inset floodplain to provide tidal/brackish wetland habitats. The restored Cochran Creek channel will contain larger flood events within the channel, and allow out-of-bank flood flows to reconnect to Cochran Creek or Quail Slough. Collectively the tide gate, expanded channels and floodplains, and construction of tidal berms will enhance and protect agricultural lands.
