Mattole Headwaters Instream Habitat Planning Project

The purpose of the Project is to assess salmonid habitat and create a plan to improve salmonid rearing habitat with instream structures in the Mattole headwaters and four tributaries. The Project is necessary because the four tributaries have very poor rearing habitat due to land use impacts and lack of instream wood. Pools are shallow and do not withstand summer drought.

Floodplains are disconnected and there is very little refuge from winter high flows.

Therefore, the planning strategy for the tributaries will prioritize structure designs

that increase pool depth and frequency and connection to inset floodplains

The specific objective of the Project is to perform preliminary planning with proposed treatments and expected benefits on specific reaches of the Mattole headwaters and four tributary streams. This objective will be achieved through 1) performing habitat and geomorphic assessments, topographic surveys and hydraulic modeling; 2) preparing an options analysis, basis of design reports and 30%, 65%, 90%, and 100% designs with CDFW and Technical Advisory Committee review period of each phase and; 3) conducting a CEQA process with preparation of Mitigated Negative Declaration documents.