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Saving Clark Slough
For A Better Environment
Marina Center will fund a multi-million dollar restoration
and ongoing protection of a coastal wetlands preserve. Covering nearly a third of
the total Balloon Track acreage, the environmental preserve will include restoration
of a major portion of the historic Clark Slough wetlands. The initiative will add
to Eureka’s public access open space and will restore the area to a natural condition
it has not known for more than 100 years.
“As we’ve become more familiar with the condition of the Balloon Track, our awareness
has increased concerning the level of ecological damage and abuse this parcel has
endured,” said Brian Morrissey, Security National Properties senior vice president.
“We’ve also listened to the city council and the community and understand the value
of restoring and preserving open space and in particular, coastal wetlands habitat.
“We’re taking the environmental component of the Marina Center to an entirely new
level with this significant expansion of wetlands habitat restoration. It’s absolutely
the right thing to do,” Mr. Morrissey continued.
The effort will remove exotic, non-native vegetation (and a significant amount of
trash and debris) currently dominating the wetlands and adjacent Clark Slough channel
and replace it with a diverse habitat of coastal marsh vegetation. Restoring the
area to historic topographic elevations and replacing non-native vegetation, mostly
Phragmites australis, or “common reed,” with native marsh vegetation will
promote the return of a wide range of water birds to the site.
Public access to Marina Center’s Clark Slough wetlands habitat (currently prohibited
by law) will include a perimeter walkway or boardwalk with a kiosk and interpretive
signage at vantage points along the path with opportunities to see wildlife or examples
of native plants. This pedestrian trail will connect with a pedestrian/bike trail
along the existing railroad right of way, which will in turn connect Marina Center
with downtown Eureka.
“This project provides a rare opportunity to restore and preserve a significant
portion of one of the historic tributaries to Humboldt Bay and Pacific Coast wetlands
habitat,” said Terry Huffman, wetlands scientist and president of the Huffman-Broadway
Group.
Protective environmental buffers will also be a key component of the Clark Slough
preservation initiative. These open spaces will surround the Clark Slough wetlands
and be planted with native trees and plants to provide protective screening for
native wildlife on the site.
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