CLIENT: Lafayette Residential Partners LLP
PARTNERS: Baefsky & Associates

A small section of Happy Valley Creek remains unculverted in the City of Lafayette. This section is pinned between a transit area parking lot, strip mall and residential housing. A new condominium complex was planned nearby so State regulatory agencies required enhancement of the remaining riparian corridor before the development could be completed. Though only a small section remained, much native wildlife and even a small population of native minnows utilized the creek.

In Fall of 2002 Shelterbelt was hired to restore and enhance the native riparian vegetation along this 200-foot reach of Happy Valley Creek. Working with a five year maintenance agreement Shelterbelt has continued to monitor and manage our initial riparian restoration implementation. Initially, on-site non-native invasive vegetation removal targeted Himalayaberry (Rubus discolor) and periwinkle (Vinca major) with a combination of cutting and herbicide application. To control soil erosion, we installed jute fabric, mulch, and straw wattles in susceptible areas. Shelterbelt was then responsible for installing over 500 native container plants and pole cuttings (Salix sp.) along the creek reach. A temporary drip irrigation system served the site through the establishment period. Currently native plant survival is greater than 80% and invasive plant cover has been greatly reduced with no major soil loss along the banks.