The Wildlife Conservation Board recently awarded the South Yuba River Citizens League $4,081,000 for a cooperative project with Yuba Water Agency that will enhance and restore 43 acres of habitat for salmon and other wildlife in the lower Yuba River. The grant was one of 28 projects that received more than $83 million in funding from the WCB at its May 25 meeting.
Located on a site owned by Yuba Water about one mile downstream from Englebright Dam, the Upper Rose Bar Restoration Construction project aims to increase spawning habitat, create backwater habitat and reduce bank erosion on the lower Yuba River. Funds for the project also include post-construction monitoring.
“Whether it’s fish habitat, forest health or water education, our partnership with South Yuba River Citizens League has done wonders for the Yuba watershed,” said Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey. “This grant is just another example of how – when we work together – we can do so much good for this precious resource we all love.”
SYRCL’s Interim Executive Director Aaron Zettler-Mann also emphasized that partnerships with agencies like Yuba Water are essential to restoring habitat in the Yuba River.
“We are really excited to add Rose Bar to the list of restoration projects – including Upper and Lower Long Bar, and Hallwood – that SYRCL and Yuba Water Agency are working on together to restore and enhance salmon habitat in the lower Yuba River,” said Zettler-Mann to the Appeal-Democrat.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in late June or early July and is expected to be largely complete by September 2023.