Atkinson Lane Integrated Flood Management and Watershed Restoration Project - Phase I - Native Habitat Restoration

The Atkinson Lane Integrated Flood Management and Watershed Restoration Project Phase I is a native habitat restoration initiative located at 78 Atkinson Lane in Watsonville, California. Managed by the City of Watsonville and led by CDD Director Matt Orbach, the project focuses on restoring approximately 4.0 acres of habitat around a wetland complex. The scope of work includes the removal and treatment of approximately 2.0 acres of invasive Himalayan blackberry, the removal of other non-native species, the planting of native vegetation, and the installation of erosion control measures. To ensure environmental protection, the project requires the preservation of existing native trees and shrubs and mandates worker training, pre-work surveys, and daily monitoring to prevent adverse impacts on native wildlife. The project is funded by a 545,000 dollar grant from the Regional Water Management Foundation and the California Department of Water Resources. Work will be performed primarily through hand labor and must adhere to the 2021 Habitat Enhancement Plan. Habitat restoration is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, with the subsequent construction of stormwater best management practices targeted for summer 2027. All activities associated with the current funding must be completed by September 2027.