The Conservancy’s 2002 Restoration and Enhancement construction projects are progressing well ahead of schedule. It is certain all three will be operational by year’s end.
The Conservancy’s 2002 Restoration and Enhancement Construction projects are located in the vicinity of the intersection of Powerline Road and Sankey Road in South Sutter County. They consist of three projects: Bennett South, Bennett North and Lucich South.
The Bennett North and Lucich South projects consist primarily of an approximately 200-foot wide, extended north-south managed marsh complex that runs parallel to the North Drain, a major water conveyance structure in the northern portion of the Natomas Basin. The areas will collect water discharged from adjacent rice fields and “concentrate prey” for the benefit of the Giant Garter Snake.
Conservancy-sponsored monitoring projects have shown there are significant populations of Giant Garter Snakes in this stretch of the North Drain.
The Bennett South project captures the same concept for benefiting Giant Garter Snakes on its western portion. Conservancy-sponsored monitoring has shown active snake populations in an adjacent, although smaller, agricultural drain on this site. In addition, the Bennett South tract project will feature a 20-acre upland reserve, which will be planted with native grass and trees.
While earthmoving and installation of water control structures is largely completed, vegetation planting will await autumn and early winter. The construction should be completed by year’s end.