FRC Partners with California Trout to Improve Island Road Property
FRC and California Trout (CalTrout) came together this spring to share the costs of improving the CalTrout Island Road property. As many of you may have already noticed, we’ve improved the access road and parking area and added a full turn around for launching small boats and kayaks. New signage and an information kiosk will be installed over the next few months. All property rules and regulations will remain the same including no gas motors!
Additionally, FRC and CalTrout are now working together to launch a pilot Streambank Restoration Project on the property. The project calls for the re-vegetation and stabilization of approximately 500 feet of streambank with assemblages of native plants, tress, and shrubs. In addition to hiring a professional contractor to design the restoration/re-vegetation plan, FRC and CalTrout will be working with local high schools to engage young people in the restoration effort.
The purpose of this joint effort is threefold:
- Improve the angling experience (access, information) for CalTrout constituents (parking, boat launch, picnic area, kiosks, informative signage)
- Improve aesthetics and ecological health of the property, demonstrate commitment to restoration and protection of Fall River and the benefits of Streambank Re-vegetation
- Educate public on issues affecting river (invasive aquatic plants, sediment, etc.) and role of CalTrout/FRC in addressing key issues
Look for the streambank restoration project to begin in the late summer and fall of 2013.