UPPER BUTTE BASIN WILDLIFE AREA HABITAT WORK

The relationship between CWA and the Department of Fish and Game has always been strong and very productive when it comes to habitat improvement throughout the central valley.  This is very evident when looking at the results of a partnership that started back in 1999 at the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area (UBBWA).  That year DFG and CWA started on what has become an annual effort to restore and enhance the habitats on the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and the Llano Seco Units of the wildlife area. 

Waterfowl and shorebirds have benefited greatly from the results of these efforts.  Waterfowl hunters which frequent these areas can also attest to the results.  The projects have concentrated on restoring rice fields back to wetland habitat that provide waterfowl with all the resources they need throughout the year.  Efforts typically include the construction of perimeter levees, islands and loafing bars along with water delivery ditches and control structures.  Transplanting tules usually finishes off the project making it ready for flooding and wildlife.

The funding for these projects has come from a series of North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants that have been awarded to CWA over the years. To date over $1.1 million has been spent at UBBWA on habitat projects.  Since 1999 a total of 2,448 acres have been restored and the future looks bright for additional restorations efforts.

Construction season for 2008 looks busy and funding has been secured for work on both the Llano Seco Unit and the Little Dry Creek Unit.  Currently CWA has secured funding through the DFG’s California Duck Stamp Funds for restoration of 54 acres and enhancement of 166 acres on the Llano Seco Unit for an estimated $65,000 and the Phase III, North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project looks to be slated for funding this spring which would allow another 342 acres of restoration and enhancement on the Little Dry Creek Unit with an additional $154,000 from NAWCA.

CWA would like to thank Pete Blake and his staff at UBBWA for all their help over the years and for all their efforts which have made these projects successful.  The results of all these efforts have significantly improved conditions for waterfowl and the public users.