The City of Eureka hoped to mitigate sea level rise on parcels of land it owns along Humboldt Bay at the Elk River estuary. Greenway created the concept for this project through our long-standing relationship with staff at the City of Eureka and we have supported this project since 2014; providing grant-writing and technical assistance, planning, permitting, design and engineering, and project management.

This project leads to a much expanded and enhanced estuary at the confluence of the Elk River and Humboldt Bay, restoring inter-tidal wetland habitats on up to 223 acres of former bay lands.

The project involves multi-stakeholder coordination, design and construction of riverine, and estuary restoration efforts, and development of new public recreation uses.

The restoration will entail eradicating invasive plant life while supporting native species to restore inter-tidal channels, off-channel ponds, and salt marsh wetlands.

The City owns 123 acres of the affected land, with multiple owners controlling the other 100 acres. An imperative component of this effort involves coordinating multiple property owners, including Humboldt County, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, National Resources Conservation Service, Caltrans, NCRA, Pacific Gas & Electric, and several other private property owners.

Other interested stakeholders include Humboldt County Services District, State Coastal Conservancy, Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Coastal Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, California Trout, and additional nonprofit organizations as well as property owners impacted by recurring flooding east of US Highway 101.

By restoring the native ecosystem of the bay, everyone benefits. Of course, wildlife stands to gain habitat that is both larger and better suited to their natural niches. Not only does the community get a more naturally beautiful landscape to appreciate and recreate in, but we are safer from floods, too. The increased surface area and places for water to dissipate during high flows, slows down floods and tidal movements that were once quickened by our use of concrete spillways and storm drains. The ecosystem gets more habitat, and we get a more beautiful place that also protects our homes and safety. A win-win.