The California Coastal Conservancy is calling for input on plans to control invasive Spartina densiflora (Chilean cordgrass) and restore native vegetation to native salt marshes in the Humboldt Bay region, include the Eel and Mad River estuaries.  This plan is part of a regional plan to control non-native Spartina species in Washington, Oregon, and California salt marshes. The Coastal Conservancy is requesting input on the scope of impacts to be analyzed in an Environmental Impact Report for the project. 

The primary methods to Spartina control that will be assessed in the DEIR are:

1. Mechanical with handheld brushcutter;
2. Mechanical with large machinery;
3. Manual with hand tools;
4. Herbicides.

Despite the success of mechanical removal over the past 4 years, herbicides are being included in the environmental analysis because they have been the primary method used to control different Spartina species in San Francisco and Washington salt marshes.

Humboldt Baykeeper will be submitting scoping comments but members of the public are encouraged to submit comments as well.

What potential impacts would you like to see analyzed in the environmental review?

Comments are due Feb. 9. Submit them via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Download the Conservancy’s draft Initial Study HERE.

For more info on Spartina control efforts in the Humboldt Bay area, click HERE.

Contact Joel Gerwein, Coastal Conservancy project manager, with questions or comments, at 510-286-4170 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more info about the State Coastal Conservancy, click HERE.