The Newark Slough Wetland Mitigation and Species Conservation Bank (Bank) is proposed on approximately 65.4 acres of property along the San Francisco Bay in the City of Newark, Alameda County, California. As a former tidal marsh habitat that was manipulated for the production of salt, with the native soil types and tidal water source still intact, Wildlands believes the property offers exceptional restoration potential.

The Bank is proposed as mitigation habitat for Waters of the U.S., including wetlands, and as conservation habitat for saltmarsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus) (formerly known as the California clapper rail, and Rallus longirostris obsoletus). The Bank is currently being reviewed by the Interagency Review Team (IRT) members including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Restoration of the Bank property will re-establish a mosaic of tidal wetlands, mudflats, and channels across the degraded and isolated site. It will restore tidal processes, improve habitat functions and services, and increase the ecological value of the site and the surrounding properties. It will increase habitat availability (i.e., quantity and connectivity) and quality for special-status species such as Ridgway’s rail, California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus), saltmarsh common yellowthroat, Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula), saltmarsh harvest mouse, saltmarsh wandering shrew, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, and steelhead.

Proposed Mitigation Type(s):

• Wetland/Waters of the U.S.
• Ridgway's Rail
• Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse