Clover Creek Preserve Flood Protection
and Environmental Enhancement Project
ECORP Consulting, Inc. assisted the City of Redding through the regulatory permit process for the ±129 acre Clover Creek Preserve restoration and flood control project. ECORP conducted a variety of biological surveys, including determinate level surveys for federally-listed branchiopods, determinate-level rare plant surveys, pre-construction raptor surveys, Valley elderberry longhorn beetle habitat assessment and wetland delineation. ECORP conducted the cultural resources assessment, and successfully obtained various wetland permits and authorizations including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Federal Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit, a Biological Opinion based upon formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the required Water Quality Certification from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and a Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
The project served two functions; meeting the flood protection needs of the residents downstream whose properties lie within the 100-year floodplain, and providing environmental enhancement and recreational opportunities for the residents of the City of Redding. The project included the enhancement of Clover Creek (a seasonal stream channel), and the creation of low flow channels and wetland habitats, including seasonal wetland, perennial emergent marsh, seasonal emergent marsh, pond/open water, acre of vernal pools, willow riparian habitat, and Valley oak woodland. Additionally, the project preserved existing blue oak woodland, vernal pools, seasonal wetland, blue oak savannah, and grassland meadow habitats. Throughout the site bike paths, walking trails, and interpretative signage have been installed.
Click on an image for a larger view or to play the slideshow.
ECORP developed a conceptual wetland design plan for the project, as well as the long term Operations and Management Plan (O&M Plan) for the conservation areas as required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ECORP also drafted a Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (Mitigation Plan) for the project for the habitats to be created at the site. The O&M Plan was written to dovetail with the Mitigation Plan. ECORP drafted the initial management guidelines and worked with City and agency staff to determine allowed and prohibited activities within the Conservation Areas. Preparation of this plan involved developing informative maps and graphics, negotiating final terms of the Plan and the conservation easement with the Corps, and estimating annual costs to carry out monitoring required by the Plan.
ECORP is currently implementing the ten-year monitoring and reporting program set forth in the project’s mitigation and monitoring plan. Fifth year monitoring has shown the project to be successfully establishing appropriate wetland hydrology and vegetation, and providing habitat for the California fairy shrimp (Linderiella occidentalis) and the rare vernal pool plant species Red Bluff dwarf rush (Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus).
ECORP has made appropriate recommendations regarding management practices and maintenance work conducted within the preserve, and has worked with the preserve manager (City of Redding) to help ensure that the protected wetland and upland habitats continue to function as intended.