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Bay Wetlands Blueprint

Plans for several large-scale wetland restoration projects in the North Bay raised some questions no one felt comfortable answering: How much of what kinds of wetlands do we want where, and why? The answer is now in the pipeline. A new study, undertaken by the Aquatic Habitat Institute and funded by seven state and federal agencies and the LTMS (Long Term Management Strategy for Dredged Material Disposal), will develop a scientific rationale for regional wetland habitat goals by December 1994.

The study will document the historical and current distribution of wetlands in baylands and watersheds that drain directly into the San Francisco Estuary. It will also examine climatic controls; current abundance of endangered species, waterfowl, shorebirds and eel grass beds; and the landscape's resistance to wetland restoration (utilities, roads etc.). A series of technical workshops will gather experts to review the data and make recommendations.

"We'll be asking how much habitat in what array do we need to support target populations of species, and where and how does the urban infrastructure restrain us," says Collins.

Collins also serves on several endangered species recovery teams and hopes to fold species recovery goals into the new regional wetland goals. "Clinton, Babbitt and Wilson all have new directives saying that government should be helping to protect species with regional, as well as state and national plans," he says.

The regional wetland goals, once complete, will take the form of maps for each major watershed. "The maps won't dictate land use or ecological objectives for real estate parcels," says Collins, "but they will indicate the required amounts and relative spatial relationship of wetland habitats." Having scientifically grounded goals in hand, says Collins, should advance the development of a much-needed regional wetlands policy.

Contact: Dr. Josh Collins (510)231-9539

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