Project Name
Wye Wetlands Restoration
Sea level rise resilience, flood control, and wetland restoration in the north end of Bolinas Lagoon.
Climate change is threatening Bolinas Lagoon and its surrounding communities. With three to five feet of sea level rise predicted over the next century, many of the lagoon's important tidal wetlands will frequently be underwater.
Bolinas Wye Wetlands Restoration will help make this wetland resilient to sea level rise through the end of the century. It will support fish and wildlife that rely on the wetland habitats. And it will aid residents and visitors who depend on roadways going in and out of Bolinas.
This project is the result of many years of planning and community engagement. Construction began in 2024 and will take two years. It is scheduled to be completed by early 2026. Work includes:
- Olema Bolinas Road realignment and new bridge construction
- Lewis Gulch Creek realignment and stabilization
- Floodplain restoration
Updates
DECEMBER 15, 2025
Marin County Open Space District, One Tam partner Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Conservation Corps North Bay, Hanford ARC, and Tree Tenders are working together to establish over 10,000 native trees and plants in the Wye wetland. A variety of techniques are being used, including hand planting and spray seeding. Newly planted trees are being protected by deer cages until they become established.
Updates
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
Major construction has been completed; roadways are open. Creek channel grading is complete and the connection from Lewis Gulch Creek to Bolinas Lagoon has been made. Native vegetation restoration work to enhance marsh habitat will continue for the forseeable future.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Bridge roadway construction complete. Both bridge lanes are open.
AUGUST 21, 2025
We are in the last phase of construction. One lane slowdowns continue near the road into Bolinas; drive with caution. Monday, August 25 – Thursday, August 28:
- Construction workers on site
- One-lane flagging during peak traffic hours
- Temporary, automated traffic light at all other times
When completed, the Bolinas Wye Wetlands Restoration will help protect the roadway into Bolinas from flooding while restoring habitat and the tidal flow of the marshland.
AUGUST 4, 2025
We are in the last phases of necessary roadwork near Olema-Bolinas Road and State Route 1, grading the roadway to the new bridge.
MAY 29, 2025
On Thursday, June 5, we will be pouring concrete for the new elevated roadway on the Bolinas Wye Wetlands Resiliency project. Expect temporary delays along Highway 1 near the turnoff into Bolinas, to allow cement trucks to back into the construction site. When completed, this project component will provide flood protection for residents, neighboring communities, and visitors on the drive in and out of Bolinas.
APRIL 23, 2025
Construction is resuming on the Bolinas Wye Wetlands project. Heavy equipment staging is scheduled for April 28. Crews will begin work on May 1. This second season of construction is focused on completing the full-span bridge that will allow for creek and floodplain restoration.
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
Construction is wrapping up for the season at Bolinas Wye. During winter and early spring the site will be monitored, especially during heavy rains. Work on the two-year project is expected to resume in June 2025. This is a sensitive habitat. Drive with caution. Do not stop, enter, or park in the work area.
AUGUST 8, 2024
Crews completed temporary paving to widen the Fairfax-Bolinas Road extension. This will allow for the closure of Olema Bolinas Road at Hwy 1 for the year as the new bridge, intersection, and creek improvements are constructed.
JULY 8, 2024
Temporary lane closures were put in effect in the area of the Bolinas Wye. For the safety of the workers, drivers are advised to slow down and not park along the road.
JUNE 12, 2024
Anvil Builders was awarded the contract for road, creek, and bridge work on the Wye Wetlands project.
MARCH 27, 2024
Conservation Corps North Bay and Hanford, Inc. removed invasive cape ivy in the area of the Olema-Bolinas Road/Route 1 Intersection, late March through April. Wildlife biologists conducted surveys in advance, to ensure no bird or bat nests, or other young wildlife, were disturbed. Marin County Parks and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy supervised the work.
Sea level rise resilience, flood control, and wetland restoration in the north end of Bolinas Lagoon.
OCTOBER 24, 2023
Grant Authorization
On October 24, 2023 the Open Space Board of Directors authorized two two grant agreements in support of this project:
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant for $3,675,600
- Wildlife Conservation Board grant for $3,142,000
MAY 9, 2023
KWMR Interview
Parks hydroecologist and restoration planner Veronica Pearson was interviewed on KWMR - West Marin Community Radio about efforts to restore wetlands at the west end of Bolinas Lagoon and reduce the chance of flooding on the only road to Bolinas.
MAY 1, 2023
County Supervisors Approve Additional Funding
Marin County supervisors approved an additional $325,000 for design and permitting work in support of the Bolinas Wye Wetlands project. Outside grant funds are covering nearly the entire cost of implementing this project.
MAY 18, 2021
Ocean Protection Council Grant
The Board of Supervisors authorized execution of a grant agreement in the amount of $339,000 with the Ocean Protection Council for final design of the Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Project.
OCTOBER 14, 2020
BLAC Regular Meeting
An update on the Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project was presented at the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council Meeting on October 16, 2020.
NOVEMBER 5, 2019
Board of Supervisors
The Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with the preparation of construction documents for the Bolinas Wye Wetlands project. The scope of work includes hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, development of design alternatives, design development and construction documentation for stream restoration and realignment, road realignment and road design, bridge design, right-of-way engineering and traffic management, public presentation, project management, and coordination.
MAY 2, 2019
State of Bolinas Lagoon
The Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council hosted The State of Bolinas Lagoon event on May 2, 2019 at Stinson Beach Community Center. Participating partners included:
- Audubon Canyon Ranch
- California Trout
- College of Marin
- County of Marin
- Greater Farallones Association
- National Marin Sanctuaries
- National Park Service
- One Tam
- Point Blue Conservation Science
FEBRUARY 27, 2018
Board of Supervisors
The Conceptual Design Report for the Bolinas Wye Wetlands area was presented to the Board of Supervisors on February 27, 2018. The Board directed staff to proceed with recommended design and the environmental review of Phase 1.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
BLAC Special Meeting
The draft Conceptual Design Report for the Bolinas Wye Wetlands area was discussed at the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council (BLAC) Special Meeting on September 29, 2017. The meeting was held at Audubon Canyon Ranch, Volunteer Canyon, 4800 Highway 1, Stinson Beach, and was open to the public. At this meeting the BLAC provided a recommendation to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
MARCH 30, 2017
Bolinas Lagoon Conference
At the State of the Bolinas Lagoon Conference on March 30, 2017, three conceptual design alternatives for Bolinas Wye Wetlands improvements were proposed and members of the public offered feedback. Additional opportunities to comment on this project were offered at the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council and the Marin County Board of Supervisors public meetings.
Sea level rise resilience, flood control, and wetland restoration in the north end of Bolinas Lagoon.
UPDATED: OCTOBER 10, 2023
Response to Public Comments
The Open Space District Board of Directors certified the Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project IS/MND to its Board of Directors, along with project approval, at their regular meeting on October 10, 2023. All comments received on the IS/MND and MCOSD's responses were included in the material provided to the Board of Directors for their consideration.
- Response to Public Comments
- Revised Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Mitigation Monitoring and Report Plan
UPDATED: AUGUST 8, 2023
CEQA Public Comment Period
The Marin Open Space District (MCOSD) has prepared a draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the proposed Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project. The IS/MND provides information regarding the setting of the project area, the project description, analysis of any potentially significant environmental impacts that could result from implementation of the proposed project, and mitigation measures to reduce potentially significant environmental impacts to a less than significant level. Mitigation measures have been included to address potentially significant impacts in the Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, and Transportation topic areas. The IS/MND concludes that, with implementation of the mitigation measures, the proposed project would not result in significant environmental impacts.
- Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
The public comment period took place July 5, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to August 8, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
A larger vision for Bolinas Lagoon
Since the early 19th century, land use changes have altered the historical shoreline and watershed of Bolinas Lagoon's tributaries. At the North End of the lagoon, creeks have been highly altered, which has resulted in a loss of riparian habitat and stream function. During the winter roads regularly flood and are a barrier to anadromous fish passage. With sea-level rise, flooding will be more frequent, and there will be a greater loss of wetlands and habitat for sensitive species.
Bolinas Lagoon, a Wetland of International Importance, contains over 1,100 acres of marsh, mudflats, and subtidal and intertidal lagoon habitat that supports a variety of special status plant and animal species. Bolinas Lagoon's ecological significance and complexity require careful planning to ensure the soundness of restoration activities. The Marin Open Space District has primary responsibility for managing the lagoon's resources.
The Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project was developed as part of the larger Bolinas Lagoon North End Project, which aims to re-establish and rehabilitate hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecologic processes; improve habitat connectivity; increase wetland SLR resiliency; improve special-status species’ habitat; and, protect community safety by moving roads out of flood inundation areas.
The Bolinas Wye Wetlands Resiliency Project is a critical piece of this larger vision and includes key components which must take place before these broader goals can be met. Addressing infrastructure impediments is a crucial first step to restoring the north end of Bolinas Lagoon and for the longer-term vision for the North End Project. The Project is the driver for sea level rise adaptation and preventing the loss of important tidal wetlands at this site. This standalone project offers great ecological benefits and can be completed separately from the larger Bolinas Lagoon North End Project. It is an important first step for that larger effort.
Management and restoration of Bolinas Lagoon is shared with other government agencies that have jurisdiction over the lagoon and its watershed, including:
- Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary [External]
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area [External]
- Point Reyes National Seashore [External]