Restoration Projects Statewide Order Draft Program Environmental Impact Report

The project involves comprehensive habitat restoration efforts within the Klamath River system, with a focus on enhancing in-stream and floodplain environments to support native aquatic species, particularly salmonids. Activities include reconnecting the floodplain to expand juvenile rearing habitat, removing debris and fine sediments deposited after the McKinney Fire from areas such as the Humbug Creek confluence and McConnell Bar, realigning the Humbug Creek channel, and excavating historic channels to restore natural sinuosity and increase channel length through the creation of meanders, split-flow channels, and backwater alcoves. An upstream embankment, likely a legacy mining structure, will be removed to relieve hydraulic constriction and reduce flow velocity. Temporary flow diversion will be implemented during construction to minimize turbidity, and habitat structures such as large wood jams and gravel placements will be installed to improve spawning and rearing conditions. Invasive plant species will be cleared during construction, and native vegetation including willow bundles will be salvaged and replanted alongside additional native seed and propagule applications to stabilize banks and enhance riparian zones. The project is located in Sonoma County at coordinates 38.44903° N, 122.889999° W, and was approved by the County of Sonoma on June 11, 2026. The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, based in Santa Rosa, California, serves as the lead agency, with Jake Shannon as the primary point of contact and Jessica Nadolski listed as the project applicant. The initiative was subject to environmental review under CEQA, culminating in the preparation and approval of an Environmental Impact Report, but no formal contract terms, pricing, specifications, evaluations, or administrative details beyond project scope and location are provided in the available documentation.