Recovery Plan for Tidal Marsh Ecosystems of Northern and Central California

14 Nov 2013

Geographic Scope of the Tidal Marsh Ecosystem Recovery Plan that addresses endangered and threatened species of tidal marshes in California from Humboldt Bay to Morro Bay. Courtesy USFWS.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today the largest ever tidal marsh recovery effort attempted on the west coast of the United States, a plan that could cost $1.24 billion over 50 years and involve multiple federal, state and non-profit agencies.

The plan aims to restore several endangered species to a healthy enough condition that they no longer need the protection of the Endangered Species Act. These species are found predominantly in the tidal marshes running along 500 plus miles of the California coastline.

Their populations are threatened by habitat loss, population fragmentation, altered hydrology and salinity, non-native invasive species, predator attacks, disturbance, contamination, and sea level rise due to climate change.

The plan, officially called the Recovery Plan for Tidal Marsh Ecosystems of Northern and Central California (TMRP), recommends actions to recover certain species to the point where they can be downlisted or removed from the endangered species list. The plan targets six endangered species, eleven imperiled species and six associated species. The aim is to involve the public in the recovery plan and guide the effort by providing estimates of the time and costs necessary to implement the recommended actions.

Distribution of listed species covered in the recovery plan along the tidal gradient. Courtesy USFWS.

The recovery plan does not come with associated funding and is entirely voluntary in nature. It was first proposed as a draft in 2010. Following a 120-day period in which public comments were solicited, the plan was finalized with input from many individuals, agencies, and organizations.

Segment O of the restoration map showing endangered species habitat along the southern part of San Francisco Bay along with land ownership distribution and predicted sea level rise by year 2100. Courtesy USFWS.

The plan is dedicated to Philip and Florence LaRiviere, and Frank and Janice Delfino, cofounders of the Citizens’ Committee to Complete the Refuge, and tireless activists for the protection and recovery of the tidal marsh ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay.