Bolinas Lagoon Restoration

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Since the early 19th century, land use changes have altered the historic shoreline and watershed of Bolinas Lagoon. Increased sediment delivery has resulted in a loss of tidal prism and changes in native habitat. Bolinas Lagoon 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. Restoration activities are long-term and multi-faceted, including ongoing invasive species management, rock slope protection, and bathymetry. The restoration of Bolinas Lagoon builds upon decades of grassroots community efforts. 

• Preserving Bolinas Lagoon: Uniting to Preserve a National Treasure pdf

At the North End of the Lagoon, progress is being made on the Bolinas Wye Wetlands project. This work is the result of over 20 years of collaboration between the communities of Bolinas and Stinson Beach and the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD), Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Resource Management

MCOSD has primary responsibility the lagoon's resources, but management and restoration of the lagoon is shared with these other agencies, which have jurisdiction over the lagoon and its watershed:

• Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area
• Point Reyes National Seashore

The Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council advises on the management and ecological restoration of Bolinas Lagoon. The council includes representation from:

• Marin County Parks
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area
• Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
• Point Reyes National Seashore
• Audubon Canyon Ranch
• Bolinas Rod & Boat Club
• College of Marin
• Point Blue
• Seadrift Homeowners Association
• Community members appointed by the Board of Supervisors

The 2008 Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration Project: Recommendations for Restoration and Management (Locally Preferred Plan, LPP), developed through a working group of scientists, local stakeholders, environmental groups, and state and federal agencies, guides a number of the below restoration efforts. Together, MCP and its partners prioritize and implement projects from the Locally Preferred Plan to protect the lagoon’s current resources and strengthen its resilience and adaptability to future changes.

Bolinas Wye Wetlands
This project aims to restore habitat, improve road safety, and support adaptation to sea level rise. Learn more about progress on Bolinas Wye Wetlands.

Invasive Spartina Control
Marin County Open Space District and the Invasive Spartina Project have successfully removed invasive cordgrass from the lagoon.This project continues to engage in detection and eradication of spartina as part of a long-term control project.

Kent Island Restoration
Since 2009, Marin County Open Space District and the Greater Farallones Association, in collaboration with community volunteers, have worked to remove invasive European beachgrass, ice plant, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress from this tidal island, to restore its hydrological function and enhance resilience to sea level rise. Learn more about the Kent Island Restoration.

Lagoon Bathymetry
Since 1968, Marin County has been conducting bathymetric surveys of Bolinas Lagoon every ten years. As part of a grant for the Kent Island Restoration, the MCOSD received funding for a new bathymetric survey of the lagoon using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging), and other state-of-the-art techniques to develop an accurate picture of the lagoon. This survey tests the accuracy of the 50-year projection of the lagoon, to better understand sea level rise, and help guide restoration priorities.

• 2008 Bathymetry
• 1998 Bathymetry
• 1988 Bathymetry pdf
• 1978 Bathymetry pdf
• 1968 Bathymetry pdf

Partnership Efforts
Marin County Parks works closely with other land management agencies, such as the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the Greater Farallones Association (GFA). To learn more about restoration efforts within Bolinas Lagoon led by GFA, such as the South End Project, and invasive Green Crab removal, visit the Greater Farallones Association website.