Project Overview
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) is proposing to construct the Corte Madera 4-Acre Tidal Marsh Restoration Project (Project) within the District’s 72-acre property located in Corte Madera, CA.
The primary goal of the Project is to restore four (4) acres to tidal marsh habitat, thereby fulfilling the District’s obligations to establish two (2) acres of tidal marsh suitable for California Ridgway’s rail, in accordance with the 1988 Corps permit (#17486N), and two (2) acres of tidal marsh habitat associated with a 1996 modification to District ferry operations at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.
The proposed restoration efforts will restore tidal connectivity to the Project site and provide tidal marsh habitat in support of Federal-listed species such as the California Ridgway’s rail and salt marsh harvest mouse.
Project Timeline
- April 2019: The District released a Draft Initial Study and proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) in conformance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations 15000 et. seq.), and the regulations and policies of the District to evaluate and address the potential environmental impacts, which might reasonably be anticipated to result from implementation of the Project. The public was invited to review and comment on the Draft IS/MND and supporting documents.
- May 15, 2019: The District hosted an open house meeting in Corte Madera to answer questions about the Project.
- July 26, 2019: The District Board of Directors, by Resolution 2019-049, approved the adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and on the same day, the District filed a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk of Marin County and the State CEQA Clearinghouse.
- Between July 2019 and July 2020: The District finalized permit applications and construction documents.
- July 23, 2020: The District advertised the project for construction and issued a Notice to Contractors for Contract No. 2020-F-035, Corte Madera 4-Acre Tidal Marsh Restoration Project, Town of Corte Madera, County of Marin, California. Visit the District's procurement portal for a description of the work and bidding documents.
- October 26, 2020: Construction began on portions of the northern berm and informal trail.
- January 29, 2021: Construction was completed. Work included installation of a perimeter exclusion fence, clearing and grubbing 14 acres, channel excavation, tidal marsh plain and transition zone excavation, embankment and perimeter berm construction, channel breach (performed on December 10, 2020), planting of over 17,000 plants, installation of a temporary irrigation system, installation of fiber rolls and erosion control fabric, hydroseeding of embankment and transition zone areas, establishment of a 25-foot wide public pathway around the improvements, installation of new fencing on both sides of the pathway, and installation of new directional and informational signs, benches and trash receptacles. Plant establishment and monitoring will be performed from February 1, 2021 to the end of May 2021.
Project Documents
Previous Project Meetings
- May 15, 2019, District open house meeting in Corte Madera to answer questions about the Project
- October 2, 2018, Corte Madera Town Council Meeting: District Presentation
- March 21 2017, Corte Madera Town Council Meeting: District Presentation
Contact Us
To submit questions or comments about the project, please email contact@goldengate.org or call 415-455-2000.