RCD Working With the Trinity River Restoration Program
The Trinity River Restoration Program will be taking some big steps in the next year or so – replacing four bridges between Lewiston and Douglas City to allow higher spring flows to be released from Lewiston Dam during wetter years (See
Article 1 of this Issue), and stream bank (riparian) and wetland restoration at demonstration sites near Junction City.
The RCD entered into an agreement with the Restoration Program to support the restoration and enhancement of approximately 44 sites along the Trinity River that are important parts of the overall plan to restore the river for anadromous fisheries (salmon). In some cases, like the bridges, the vegetation along the banks of the river needs to be removed to allow for the construction of the new bridges, but done so in ways that minimize the erosion of the banks and disturbances to wildlife. The District crew was able to complete the removal of the willows, cottonwoods and alders with a softer touch than would be possible with heavy equipment – and they were able to collect plant material that will be saved for replanting the banks after the bridge construction is completed. Dr. Bob Sullivan, the Wildlife Biologist for the Restoration Program in Weaverville, guided the timing of this spring’s work to prevent disturbing migrating birds that nest in areas along the river.
The District is working closely with staff at the Weaverville Office of the Restoration Program and project scientists to design the first of the restoration sites – one near Junction City that is independent of the releases from Lewiston Dam – that should be constructed in 2005.
The RCD was chosen to help with the stream bank and wetland restoration projects, because of its experience designing and implementing habitat restoration using native plants. The District will assist in the overall design of restoration plans and the specific layout for replanting sites. The District also has considerable experience growing native plants from locally-collected seed and will be expanding its facilities to meet the Restoration Program’s needs. The nursery will be expanded. The District will be working with the Trinity High School’s vocational education program to provide students hands-on experience with growing native plants in the High School nursery and the District has started an “orchard” for growing trees like cottonwood and some larger willow species. In fact, many of the cuttings taken at the bridge sites have now been installed near the Hamilton Ponds on property owned by the State of California to get the orchard started.
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