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5/05/08
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Catellus Development Group, the giant landowner/development company that was acquired by ProLogis a few years back, has donated 440 acres of enhanced vernal wetlands habitat in NoCal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The donated land, which once served as a racing track, currently consists of two preserve areas believed to have previously supported an extensive vernal pool and wetland complex. Catellus is restoring and rebuilding the habitat in connection with its Pacific Commons project, an 840-acre, mixed-use development located in the city of Fremont.
According to Bill Kennedy, Vice President of Development for Catellus in northern California, "Habitat restoration, which helps to offset the unavoidable impacts of development, requires a substantial amount of planning and construction in order to be successful. The new vernal wetlands near our Pacific Commons project will provide both vastly improved ecological and aesthetic value, and will serve as a cherished community amenity."
Under its agreement with the associated resource agencies, Catellus will manage and track ecological data at the site for 10 years to ensure successful establishment, after which it will set up an endowment to fund future maintenance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The company has also supplemented the donation with additional vernal pools to further ensure the long-term success of the habitat.
Working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Catellus recreated a series of shallow vernal pools that border the Pacific Commons property. The company also constructed a 1,800-foot causeway to preserve connectivity between the pools and to allow the resident wildlife, which includes several endangered and protected plant and animal species, to safely migrate under the roadway. The reconstruction of the pools, which are characterized by their seasonal flooding and drying, has resulted in a number of unique and rarely seen plants reemerging, providing an indication that the restoration is well on its way.
"California's vernal pools are a valuable and increasingly threatened ecosystem," said Mendel Stewart, project leader for the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. "Their unique environment provides habitat for many rare plants and animal species. Catellus was ideal to partner with on this important mitigation project; their flexibility and willingness to collaborate was instrumental in restoring the viability of the vernal wetlands, and we look forward to working with them on future opportunities."
The enhanced property, the largest vernal pool complex in the South Bay, is being incorporated into the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge, the first urban federal wildlife refuge established in the United States. In recognition of its long partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Catellus will also donate and install several large interpretive panels to educate the public about the function of the seasonal wetlands and to introduce its resident rare species.
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