Verbena Fields Restoration Project
The purpose of the Verbena Fields restoration project is to restore and enhance habitats on land that was heavily impacted by gravel mining and to increase the flood capacity for a constricted section of Lindo Channel. The widened floodplain will also increase stream side forest area by over 1.25 acres. The site is a 20.9 acre city-owned former gravel quarry adjacent to Lindo Channel at East 1st Ave. near Verbena Ave. The project will expand and improve seasonal wetlands, increase the floodplain width an average of about 80 feet, restore native plantings, establish a Mechoopda Interpretive Place, construct a loop walking trail and provide public education as well as pre- and post-restoration site monitoring.
Applications have been submitted for the required agency permits. Several on-site volunteer work sessions have already taken place, for the initial site monitoring and to remove invasive plants and trash. Additional removal of trash and invasive plants such as yellow starthistle, periwinkle, Japanese privet, and puncturevine will start this spring. Construction will start in the late summer of 2008. It will include removing and recycling all of the site’s asphalt roadways (1.26 acres or approximately 1500 tons of asphalt) and excavating the floodplain with 10,000 cubic yards to be moved. Constructed Bioswales will clean storm water runoff before it enters the creek or wetlands. Most of the piles of concrete and cobble on the site will be incorporated as fill base for the raised loop trail. One large pile of cobble will remain on site as an educational reminder of the site’s land-use history. A 20-foot pre-fabricated footbridge and an arched culvert will be installed to span the newly created side channels that will connect the expanded wetlands (0.4 acre) to Lindo Channel during high water events. Restoration plantings of native grasses, willows, wildflowers, oaks and many other native species will take place in winter 2008 through spring 2009. The project is expected to be completed by June 2009.
At the high terrace area in the North central part of the site, there will be an interpretive display highlighting the history of disturbance at the site and its restoration as well as information about floodplains—their form, function, and role in maintaining water quality. Additional panels will explain the role of wetlands in maintaining water quality and providing habitat, describe native and invasive species, explain species that are culturally significant to the Mechoopda Indians, and describe stormwater best management practices.
The partners in this project are the City of Chico, Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance (Alliance), Mechoopda Indian Tribe, Streaminders, and California State University, Chico Research Foundation. The Alliance’s Stream Team has added this site to their watershed monitoring program. They are surveying habitat, providing in-stream water quality monitoring and tracking the changes to the land as the project evolves over time. The Interpretive Place will provide a place for Tribal members to gather native plants used for tribal purposes such as basket weaving, provide a gathering place for the tribal community to meet, and provide education to the general public about traditional plants used by the Mechoopda/Maidu people and how, or for what purposes, the plants were used.
A California State Water Resources Control Board grant of $907,000 will pay the costs associated with construction and restoration planting. Volunteers will provide help with planting, monitoring and maintenance.
To receive occasional emails about the status of this project, send an email to coordinator AT bigchicocreek.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
Verbena Fields Volunteer Days
If you are under 18, please bring your parent or guardian with you or a signed release form
March 29th Volunteer Day photos
Environmental Documents
Sandy Gulch (Lindo Channel) Resource Inventory (text only, 3.6MB)
Conceptual Design Review and Feasibility Assessment 2006
Initial Study and Initial Study Figures and IS signed checklist
Mitigated Negative Declaration Notice of Intent
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Notice of Determination
Biological Assessment
Geomorphic Assessment (6KB)
Wetlands Delineation (8.9MB)
Plans
Existing Conditions (aerial map)
Preliminary Construction Plan (aerial map)
Preliminary Engineering Plans
Plants
Preliminary Planting
Meetings
March 20, 2008 Project Overview presentation
March 20, 2008 Pre-construction Activities presentation
March 20, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Site Activities
Volunteer site clean-up sessions were held in September 2007, and March and April 2008. Activities included removal of invasive plants and almond seedlings, as well as trash, scrap metal, wire and lumber pick-up. More than 15 yards of metal was recycled and 5 yards of trash removed from the site. A large hand-made water pipe was pulled from from a ravine and may remain as a reminder of the site's history.
In late April, 2008, about 950 goats were brought temporarily to the site. The purpose was to control invasive plants and their seeds (especially yellow starthistle), to uncover the piles of asphalt, concrete, scrap metal and wire that had previously been dumped on the site, to reduce the possbility of wildfires during construction later in the year and to reduce the biomass of the almond trees, which will be removed at the request of the Butte County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. See photos of goat grazing here.
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