The biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of Best Slough at Site 17, Beale Air Force Base, in northern California, have been degraded through past waste disposal and land use practices. The remediation and restoration design includes realignment and restoration of 550 m of Best Slough to sever the hydraulic connection between Best Slough and solvent contaminated groundwater [trichloroethylene (TCE)], a slurry wall to contain free product TCE, and a phytoremediation system to maintain an inward gradient inside the slurry wall. The project (construction in spring 2000) will result in the restoration of the degraded riparian system functions of Best Slough. The restored riparian corridor will support the Riparian Preservation Area designation of Best Slough in Beale AFB's Habitat Conservation Plan. We performed comprehensive biological, hydrological, and chemical assessments in the Best Slough watershed to provide a baseline for the design of the realigned riparian corridor. The objective of the terrestrial and aquatic riparian habitat restoration was to achieve a net environmental benefit through improvement of existing, degraded habitat. Habitat in the realigned riparian corridor will include open water (with enhanced aquatic habitat features), island, bulrush marsh, scrub riparian, mixed riparian, and valley oak riparian forest.
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