The San Francisco Bay is the largest estuary on the West Coast of the American continents, and the wetland ecosystem of tidal marshes and related habitat comprises some of the most valuable natural resources in the region. Twenty-five square miles of these salt marshes were recently sold by Minneapolis-based Cargill, Inc., the world's largest marketer of salt products, to be restored through the careful stewardship of federal and state agencies. The acquired land totals 16,596 acres—an area roughly the size of Manhattan.
Restoring these salt ponds will be one of the largest projects of its kind in the world, and is second in the U.S. only to the Everglades restoration effort in Florida. The project was made possible through an unprecedented collaboration of environmental organizations, government agencies, and private foundations. The work to acquire and restore the South Bay salt ponds presents a unique historical opportunity, with the potential to increase the Bay's naturally functioning tidal wetlands by nearly 40%. The restoration project will effectively preserve open space, improve water quality, provide critical habitat for endangered species, disperse flood flows, prevent shoreline erosion, recharge groundwater, and create opportunities for public access and environmental research and education in one of the most urbanized regions in the country.
Acquisition
In April of 2002, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation approved a grant of $6,330,000 over three years for the public acquisition—priced at $100 million total—of the salt-producing land and associated salt-making rights for sale by Cargill. The Foundation has continued to assist in the acquisition with state and federal agencies, a number of environmental organizations, and the Packard, Hewlett, and Goldman Foundations.
Initial Stewardship
In collaboration with the Hewlett and Packard Foundations, a grant of $180,000 over one year has been given towards a combined $540,000 advance on the planned $15 million designated for initial stewardship and restoration planning. Having the funding in place directly following the signing of the purchase and phase-out agreements helped to maximize the resource values of the ponds by ensuring that agencies could begin work on tidal restoration and the enhancement of wildlife habitats immediately after acquiring the properties.
The initial stewardship will result in maintenance and enhancement of existing wildlife values for salt-pond associated species. Special emphasis will be placed on reducing salinities to facilitate tidal restoration and maintaining salinities where appropriate for wildlife. Well-executed stewardship will yield lowered overall costs for long-term restoration.
Restoration Planning
The California Coastal Conservancy's San Francisco Bay Program, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, will lead a five-year restoration planning effort. This effort will help to ensure that the full benefits of the acquisition will be realized over time—acquisition alone will not bring about functioning wetlands with key wildlife habitat, public use, and environmental educational values.
Foundation involvement will encourage restoration activities and planning to be conducted with the best scientific information and with the active participation of key members of the public, to deliver a scientifically sound, broadly supported restoration plan.
For more information on the South Bay Salt Ponds project please visit the following websites:
http://www.southbayrestoration.org/
http://www.savesfbay.org/campaigns/sbaysaltponds/