SMTA's Wetlands Project Garners Top Honors

A program that has successfully restored wetlands along the San Francisco Bay in Foster City has been recognized by a leading charitable transportation group.

The Wetland Mitigation Restoration Project, a collaboration between the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and Caltrans that has restored some 7.85 acres of wetlands, was named the Environmental Enhancement Project of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation.

The TA spent $3 million on the project, and Caltrans footed $2 million.

The wetlands are home to some rare plant and animal species that are indigenous to the Bay Area.

The wetland marshes serve vital functions, creating a buffer to absorb storm and tidal surges from the Bay, and cleaning water through a natural process as the tidal action raises and lowers Bay water through the marsh, Transportation Foundation spokeswoman Torrey Crell said in an e-mail to Patch.

"Preserving and restoring wetlands along the edge of San Francisco Bay is important because it creates additional habitat for a large variety of tidal zone plant, bird, and animal species, including some endangered species such as the (endangered) California Clapper Rail," Crell said.

The project was developed to mediate the environmental impact of an auxiliary lane project on the 101 Freeway between Ralston Avenue in Belmont and Marsh Road in Redwood City.

The restored area was once natural bay land, but was filled with construction material during the 1950s and 60s in anticipation of eventually being used for a highway or development site.

The project featured construction of a 2,400 foot long tidal channel, installation of a 48-inch storm drain that also serves as a tidal supply pipe and tide gate, as well as extensive grading, irrigation and landscaping.

The project design was based on scientific research of channel formation and analysis of natural channels in the area, with a network of smaller channels were constructed off the primary channel to help distribute tidal water evenly throughout the new marsh.

Native salt marsh vegetation such as Pickleweed were planted to naturally colonize the marshlands, and tides have brought in additional seeds that once germinated, will expand the area’s biological diversity.

The project also included realigning a bike path to go around the edge of the new marsh on top of a FEMA certified levee that protects the City of Foster City from tidal flooding.  The 10-foot wide bike path was enhanced with crushed granite jogging paths along both sides.