Butte Sink Mitigation Bank (Butte Creek Farms)

The Butte Sink Mitigation Bank project, managed by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board in Colusa County, California, focuses on the restoration and preservation of approximately 288.25 acres of stream and floodplain salmonid habitat at Butte Creek Farms. This initiative, identified under Permit No. 19707-1, supplements and supersedes a previous permit issued on June 3, 2025. The project is classified as a ministerial action under CEQA guidelines, maintaining prior environmental findings without changes to the project scope. The comprehensive scope of work includes reforestation efforts through the planting of native cottonwood and willow seedlings in existing rice fields and hydrological improvements such as notching a berm in five locations to increase floodwater access, removing a diversion structure, and rerouting portions of the Highline Canal. Infrastructure activities involve removing abandoned Colusa County roads and all existing on-site culverts, while installing twin culverts and a new berm to establish a mitigation bank. Additionally, the project incorporates bank stabilization using bioengineered materials and planted stakes, the installation of natural debris racks, grading, and the placement of signage on existing gates. The project is located in the Butte Basin, approximately 3.3 miles northeast of the City of Colusa.