Bair Island Restoration Project

The coastal marsh habitat in Blair Island, San Francisco was impaired by construction of salt ponds and dirt levees before its ecological value was recognized. The project aimed to restore the 1, 400 acres of diked marsh to tidal marsh primarily by breaching the perimeter levees to allow tidal action via surrounding slough channels. Excavations through the internal levees aimed to reestablish historical channels to facilitate circulation and drainage. Some levees were planned to remain in place to provide marsh-plain habitat and to prevent shoreline erosion. Community-based volunteer programs will assist with restoration of the native marsh vegetation and weed removal.