Monday August 28, 2023
Chico Enterprise-Record —
Floodplain restoration, halted by budget cuts, will resume now that the state reallocated funding.
Friday morning, Chico-based River Partners announced that the California Wildlife Conservation Board approved $44 million for projects in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, including $22.7 million to acquire the Dos Rios Norte property in Sutter County.
As this newspaper reported in January, Gov. Gavin Newsom held back funds for habitat restoration work. In May, Newsom added $40 million back into the budget. The Wildlife Conservation Board awarded the first round of monies Thursday. The board will meet again in November with a second round of $19.5 million to allocate.
“This level of Central Valley floodplain investment is historic,” River Partners President Julie Renter said by email. “It will result in the transformation of over 4,000 acres, delivering improved flood safety, groundwater recharge, habitat for salmon and other imperiled wildlife, outdoor access for park-starved communities, restoration-related jobs to grow local economies, and so much more.”