Napa Marsh wildlife area expanding

By George Carl
Friday, January 27, 2006

The restoration of the former salt ponds on the west side of the Napa River began in November. The project, which will restore 3,500 acres to tidal wetlands, is well under way with initial breaching to the Napa River expected this spring. Additional work will be started this spring to improve another 1,500 acres of the ponds in March. These projects will substantially improve habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and fish. Since the acquisition of the ponds in 1995, their value has steadily declined because of increasing salinity.

When the breach happens and the tidal flushing begins, new life will return to the new marsh as it has off Highway 37 north of Vallejo. The project is a cooperative effort of the Department of Fish and Game, State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board. The project coordinator is Larry Weeks, senior biologist with DFG.

Napa Valley Register outdoors columnist George Carl can be reached at 253-0665 or gcarl@sbcglobal.net