Large-Scale Tidal Wetlands Restoration
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Why is this a San Francisco Bay Program Priority?
San Francisco Bay has lost close to 90% of its historic wetlands acreage to urbanization, subsidence, and agriculture. Stormwater run-off also carries pollutants and nutrients into the Bay and wetlands.
Large-scale wetland restoration planning and implementation offers an opportunity to improve water quality because wetlands can retain excess sediment and process nutrients into plant cover which in turn provides key services such as flood protection and endangered species habitat.
Large-scale projects in the Bay’s wetlands and waterways will restore healthy habitat in watersheds and shorelines for the plants, animals, and humans that the Clean Water Act protects.