Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
1951
Central Valley Project begins pumping at Tracy Plant.
1961
Save the Bay formed—first major environmental group focused
on a body of water.
1963+
Rapid invasions of non-native copepods (small crustaceans).
1963-1969
State Water Project begins pumping at Banks Plant.
1965
State legislation establishes regional commission to protect the
Bay, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development
Commission (BCDC).
1966-1972
Major federal and state environmental legislation (Porter
Cologne, Clean Water Act, and endangered species) changes
management of bay and delta. Environmental impact reports
required for developments. “No-net-loss” policy for wetland de-
velopment.
Wetland restoration focuses on dredged material disposal sites.
Oroville Dam on Feather River completed.
1968
First notable wetland restoration experiment on 32 acres at Palo
Alto's Faber Tract, including first planting of California cord-
grass (
Spartina foliosa
).
1969
First “designed” restoration project in the East Bay's Pond 3, in
the Alameda Flood Control Channel.
1973
First large (130 acres) bayland restoration without planting at
Muzzi Marsh, Marin County, as mitigation for Larkspur Ferry
Terminal.
1976
State Board issues Water Rights Decision 1485 requiring federal
and state water projects to meet delta water-quality standards.
1978
Age of restoration for mitigation (70 percent of 34 projects next
two decades). Push for “instant” wetlands.
1980s
Conflicts among government agencies, ports, and fishing com-
munity result in a “mudlock” over the impacts of bay dredging.
First design guidelines for restoration published by BCDC.
1982
University of California's Margaret Race completes first scientific
critique of wetland mitigation banking and restoration success.
1983
Invasive Overbite Clam appears in San Francisco Bay.
1986
State supreme court strengthens water board's power to protect
all uses of delta water, including fish and wildlife (Racanelli).
State approves $120 million over 10 years for levee maintenance.
1988
Suisun Marsh salinity-control gates begin operation.
Shell oil tank leaks 420,000 gallons into wetlands near Martinez.
