For Immediate UseContact: Brooke Langston (415) 388 2524 ext. 109
Febrary 17, 2009

Tiburon, CA – A project by the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary to restore habitat on three uninhabited islands in northwestern San Francisco Bay will receive $200,000 through a proposed settlement stemming from the release last year of untreated sewage into Marin waters. The islands – which provide much needed habitat for birds and other wildlife along the mostly developed edge of San Francisco Bay – lay right in the path of sewage released last January by the Mill Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by the Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin (SASM).

“This is really great news not only for the birds and health of Richardson Bay, but for the community around it that enjoy these waters and shorelines,” said Brooke Langston, director of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. “The sewage spills were part of a long list of bad news for the Bay in 2007 and 2008. This restoration project is part of helping heal the Bay.”

The settlement, negotiated by the San Francisco Bay Water Board as part of its oversight of local water districts, requires the SASM to pay $1.8 million in total. Of this amount, $800,000 will go to the State Water Resources Control Board’s cleanup and abatement efforts, $600,000 will go toward improving sewer infrastructure in Mill Valley, and $200,000 to the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary.

The three islands set for restoration were created from dredge spoils back in the 1960s and include Aramburu, largest of the three at 17 acres and the most invaded by non-native plants, which cover 60 percent of the island. Pickleweed Island and a third unnamed island are smaller and dominated by native plants.

The enhanced environment will improve habitat for resident and migratory birds including species of concern such as the California Clapper Rail, the San Pablo Song Sparrow and the Saltmarsh Yellowthroat as well as mammals such as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.

Invasive plants, including brooms and ice plant, have spread widely over these three islands, reducing habitat diversity and use by birds and small mammals. The restoration project will eliminate the invasive plants and allow the return of native species along with the birds and other wildlife that depend on them.

Activities in the Audubon-led program will include:

• Enhancing salt marsh habitat by removing nonnative, invasive plants;
• Replanting invaded areas using volunteer help;
• Enhancing berms along the steep eastern shore to increase habitat suitability for Forster’s terns;
• Enhancing a tidal pool at the north end of Aramburu to encourage use by small marsh fish, juvenile bay fish and invertebrates, in turn, attracting more wading birds to visit.

About Audubon California
Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 49 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.

Learn more at www.ca.audubon.org