Planning Commission approves Elk River Estuary restoration plan with maintenance and tribal engagement conditions

The Humboldt County Planning Commission on a unanimous vote approved a conditional use permit for a large-scale restoration of the Elk River Estuary, a project proponents say will restore nearly 984 acres across 43 parcels and address sea-level rise impacts.

Staff and the primary applicant, California Trout, described the project as an ecosystem-wide restoration from Highway 101 to Showers Road that will replace tide gates (about 13–15 replacements), remove or retrofit infrastructure, expand eelgrass habitat, reuse sediment to form vegetated "eco-levies," and add limited public access such as two non-motorized boat ramps and trails. “My name is Darren Maru. I’m the North Coast Director with California Trout,” said Darren Maru during the applicant presentation detailing more than a decade of planning and phased design work.

Why it mat…