INTRODUCTION

In September 2002, the University of California, Berkeley, began remediation work at the Richmond Field Station (RFS) to clean up legacy pollution from industrial activities that occurred prior to UC ownership of the land. While much of the south Richmond Shoreline was historically heavily industrialized and transformed into urban landscape, the unique history of the RFS allowed patches of marsh and coastal prairie to escape development. Post-remediation restoration of excavated areas will expand and enhance existing natural resources at the RFS, some of which are rare and unique remnants of ecosystems that existed before modern development of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today, the RFS contains the last undisturbed coastal terrace grassland adjacent to the San Francisco Bay shoreline, seasonal wetlands, a large area of marsh consisting of native cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) and other vegetation that provide habitat for the endangered California Clapper Rail (Railus longirostris obsoletus), tidal mudflats and eelgrass beds. The six + acres of coastal prairie contains a rich assortment of native grasses and forbs, including a very rare patch of slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). These resources have been identified as areas of Unique Restoration Opportunities in the Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals Report (http://www.sfei.org/sfbaygoals/docs/goals1999/outline.html) completed through the Wetlands Ecosystems Goals Project.

This page presents reports on the natural resources of the RFS including project plans for restoration and monitoring. This page is under construction. We hope to make this page a repository of data and reports on flora, fauna and the physical environment at the RFS as a resource for future studies. Please submit material for posting on this page to the campus Office of Environment, Health & Safety.

2002. Pre-excavation. photo showing distressed vegetation from acidic drainage into Western Stege Marsh.

March 2005. Western Stege Marsh one year after Phase 2 excavation and back-fill with clean bay mud.

June 2006. Marsh and ecotone showing areas re-vegetated by active planting and natural recruitment of native marsh plants.

June 5, 2002 Letter to US Fish and Wildlife Service, Section 7 Consultation Supplemental Information [22MB pdf file]

July 23, 2003 Richmond Field Station Remediation Project Biological Assessment Report [7 MB pdf file]

CEQA Initial Study: May 28, 2003 Richmond Field Station Remediation Project Initial Study California Environmental Quality Act [16 MB pdf file]

January 2004, Feral Animal Management Program [2 MB pdf file]

August 2004 Western Stege Marsh Restoration Project Monitoring Plan, BBL [6MB pdf file]

August 2005 Western Stege Marsh Restoration Project Year 1 Monitoring Report [17 MB pdf file]

California Clapper Rail Conservation Brochure [1,343 KB pdf file]

Army Corps of Engineers Permit with US Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7 Consultation: September 4, 2003 Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, File Number 28135S- Western Stege Marsh Remediation and Restoration (Army Nationwide Permit 38 Authorization) [1,213 KB pdf file]