Reducing erosion to improve aquatic habitat:

The single largest cause of salmon population decline in the Mattole is excessive erosion into streams, largely from roads and streambank failures. Sediment suffocates salmon eggs by clogging spawning gravel, and fills in cool, deep pools which serve as critical rearing habitat.

Starting at the headwaters and working downstream, sediment sources like culverts, poorly draining or abandoned roads, stream bank failures and landslides are prioritized and treated. Access roads are storm-proofed, abandoned roads are recontoured, and stream crossings are upgraded to meet fish passage and sediment delivery guidelines.

Staff visit with landowners to identify erosion sites with the potential to deliver sediment into watercourses.  Findings from these visits and follow-up field surveys are then presented to landowners in the form of a customized report.  With permission from landowners, the Council then carries out the prescribed restoration work.