In 2004, the Pinole Creek Watershed Vision Plan listed restoration of the Chelsea Wetlands as a possible opportunity. The City of Hercules has applied for a
California River Parkways grant to restore five acres of this degraded seasonal wetlands to a functioning tidal wetlands.
These wetlands are situated near the mouth of Pinole Creek between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Chelsea By the Sea development. The lead agency for this project is the City of Hercules. This project is still in the planning stages, but a vision is taking shape.
Some of the goals of the restoration project include:
· Restore transition area between flood plain and Pinole Creek
· Restore the wetland aquatic and wetland transitional habitat for wide range of species
· Prevent pollutants and sedimentation from entering the bay
· Provide an additional 4 feet of water storage capacity to reduce flooding
A healthy wetland also prevents pollutants from running into the bay. Ecologists call wetlands “the kidney” of the ecosystem because of the natural cleansing functions they perform. They do this by retaining sediments and toxic pollutants attached to the sediments. Wetland plants also reduce algae blooms and fish kills.
For updated information on this project see the page at the City of Hercules website.
