Background
We have an opportunity in Hercules to preserve the 12 acre Chelsea wetlands near Chelsea by the Bay and Hercules by the Bay communities. The wetland is a vital part of our ecosystem. Egrets once nested there and it remains the habitat of some endangered species.
The past century took its toll on the Chelsea Wetland. As the
Project Documents
Learn about this exciting project and share your thoughts.
FINAL Conceptual Restoration Plan (11.7 MB PDF). This report describes the details of the project.
Biological Evaluation Report (10.3 MB PDF) This report identifies special status plant and wildlife and habitat restored by the project.
area was developed, tons of soil was dumped in the wetland. A similar practice occurred throughout the country. By 1950, an estimated 45 million acres, or 35%, of all wetlands in America had been drained.
Restoring the Chelsea wetland has several benefits. By removing the unnatural soil in Chelsea Wetland, the water storage capacity will increase by four feet, thus helping to reduce flooding in nearby neighborhoods, as happened in Pinole in 2006. This is particularly important to the communities of Chelsea by the Bay and Hercules by the Bay.
A healthy wetland also prevents pollutants from running into the bay. Ecologists call wetlands “the kidney” of the ecosystem because of the natural cleansing functions they perform. They do this by retaining sediments and toxic pollutants attached to the sediments. Wetland plants also reduce algae blooms and fish kills.
Restoring the Chelsea Wetland
According to City Staff for the Chelsea Wetland Restoration Project, a majority of residents are very supportive of restoring the wetland to its natural state. Currently, the Chelsea Wetland turns dry and brown in the summer. A healthy wetland and creek would cycle water year round, providing a place for wildlife. Native vegetation would return naturally or be reintroduced.
Some of the current goals of the restoration project include:
· Restore transition area between the flood plain and Pinole Creek
· Restore the wetland aquatic and transitional habitat for wide range of species
· Prevent pollutants and sedimentation from entering the bay
· Provide an additional 4 feet of water storage capacity to reduce flooding
The Redevelopment Agency has committed to reviewing the county’s work on flood control to make sure that we are protected and that future efforts will not aggravate what is currently in place.
2010 Update
The City of Hercules has continued to seek and apply for various grants to supplement the construction of the Chelsea Wetland Restoration Project. In February 2010, a group from the City of Hercules, consisting of senior staff and council members, visited key representatives in Washington DC to discuss projects in Hercules. The Chelsea Wetlands Restoration Project was one of the feature projects presented during the trip.
In April of 2010, the City of Hercules contracted Restoration Design Group (RDG) to provide for Preliminary Hydraulic Analysis of Relief Culvert(s) for the Chelsea Wetlands Parcel. RDG’s work will be used to find ways to enhance flood benefits of the proposed Chelsea Wetlands Restoration Project. The first phase of this report should be completed by end of summer 2010.
Also the City of Hercules Staff presented the Chelsea Wetlands Restoration Project at the annual Community Update. The Project received many positive public comment cards supporting the effort of habitat restoration as well as opportunities to enjoy nature.
These comment cards were presented at the June 17, 2010 Site Visit from the State Natural Resources Agency, Rivers and Parkways Grant Program (Proposition 84). City staff and Dr. Stuart Siegel, of Wetlands and Water Resources, LLC presented to project to the review committee. The key Stake Holders were also present: Contra Costa County Flood Control District, the City of Pinole, Friends of Pinole Creek, and the Chelsea by the Bay Home Owners Association. According to grant administrator, Dana Brazelton, the Project was in the top 25% of the applications submitted, thus received the site visit for evaluation in the last phase in the funding process. Award announcements should be made late summer or early Autumn 2010. The City of Hercules has requested $1.8 million for this project
The City of Hercules has been able to obtain over $240,000 dollars from local and federal sources. $40,000 dollars was received from the San Francisco Foundation and $145,000 dollars was received through the Green Infill Clean Storm Water Initiative which is sponsored by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). A $56,200 grant was awarded by the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Committee through the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund.
How you can help
The City of Hercules and their consultants have presented plans and answered question on the Chelsea Wetlands Restoration at community workshops sponsored by The Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed. And the Chelsea by the Bay Homeowners Association has been actively involved with the City on this Project. Community involvement is a critical component of success for projects like this.
If you are interested in getting more involved in the wetland restoration, contact Staff for the Chelsea Wetland Restoration Project at (510) 799-8256.