Monday April 14, 2025
Redheaded Blackbelt —
What’s described as a major restoration project in Humboldt County’s Eel River delta area will restore tidal marshes and create a new public trail.
Restoration of a 795-acre area of the Eel River estuary gained permitting from the Humboldt County Planning Commission at its April 3 meeting.
Under a partnership including the CalTrout non-profit conservation group and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the complex project encompasses and surrounds the estuary’s Cannibal Island area.
It includes deepening 5,000 linear feet of existing dikes, replacing failed culverts that separate tidal habitat areas and re-connecting 500 acres of former marsh habitat to tidal action.
Also included are construction of “inter-tidal lagoons” and a 6,000 linear-foot earthen levee with two gated culverts to shield agricultural lands from tidal intrusion.