Road Rehabilitation Project
Bull Creek
The Project
California State Parks is undertaking a road rehabilitation project in the Bull Creek Narrows area. The northern segment of the Bull Creek Road was closed for public safety reasons following the severe storm of January 1, 1997. The focus of this project is to reduce erosion, primarily through the obliteration of timber roads that were constructed before the park obtained this area. Sedimentation from these roads has slowed ecosystem recovery on nearby hillsides, degraded riparian and fish habitat in Bull Creek, and affected channel stability in the Rockefeller Forest along Lower Bull Creek. Improvement of this situation is consistent with the park's resource goals. Moreover, because of recent court rulings, it is anticipated that all landowners in the South Fork of the Eel River sub-basin, including State Parks, will be required to address erosion problems on their property. Funding for this project is from State Parks, FEMA, and the Department of Fish and Game's Steelhead and Salmon Restoration Account (SB 271).
Road Decommisioning
In an attempt to restore the landscape and improve the aesthetic appearance of the area, State Park workers and contractors will use heavy equipment to move large quantities of road fill to recontour local roads. It may appear that the restoration process is very destructive. However, by recontouring the natural stream courses, this area will recover to a more natural state very quickly.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Humboldt Redwoods State Park Ranger Office
(707) 946-2409
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The Bull Creek fire road, before road removal. |
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Bull Creek fire road, looking south. |
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| Heavy equipment was used to put the roads in, and it is also the best way to remove the roads. |
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| After the road has been re-countoured, the area will be covered with brush and debris to help hold the soil until plants become established. |
