Seal Beach Wetlands Soil Augmentation Project

completed

A pilot project at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge involved applying a thin layer of sediment (mud or sand) to the marsh surface to raise its elevation and restore wetlands habitat. The project aimed to counteract higher sea level rise, subsidence, and lack of sediment supply, which had caused flooding and habitat loss. The project has been monitored for a decade, showing positive results in plant growth and increased nesting of the endangered Lightfooted Ridgway’s Rail.