Basso/La Grange Reach Floodplain and Spawning Habitat Restoration Project

On May 29, 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a Restoration Management Permit to the Tuolumne River Trust, operating as Yosemite Rivers Alliance, for the Basso/La Grange Reach Floodplain and Spawning Habitat Restoration Project. The project spans a 202-acre area along the lower Tuolumne River and is designed to restore and enhance aquatic, riparian, and upland habitats to benefit native chinook salmon and steelhead/rainbow trout populations. The permit, issued under Section 1670 of the Fish and Game Code, recognizes the project as a Qualifying Restoration Project under Section 1671(d)(1), ensuring it will deliver substantial, cumulative benefits to native fish, wildlife, plants, or their habitats. The permitting authority confirms the project’s compliance with state regulations and its alignment with conservation goals for the region. The project was publicly announced on June 1, 2026, through the California environmental query and notification system, with primary oversight managed by the CDFW Region 4 - Central office in Fresno. Megan Rooney, Environmental Scientist at the agency, serves as the point of contact for inquiries and coordination. The project is located in California and involves habitat restoration activities centered on floodplain reconnection, spawning ground improvement, and riparian vegetation enhancement to support fish migration, spawning, and rearing. No set-aside or NAICS classification is specified, and the permit reflects a regulatory approval for ecological restoration rather than a competitive procurement. The project’s success is tied to long-term habitat recovery and the resilience of native aquatic species in the Tuolumne River watershed.