Projects and Funding

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Eaton Trail Extension EIR

Parkway Master Plan Update

San Joaquin River Parkway Map

Funding

The San Joaquin River Conservancy is funded from three sources: the San Joaquin River Conservancy Fund, the Environmental License Plate Fund, and several bond funds approved by state voters.

• The San Joaquin River Conservancy Fund is generated primarily from lease revenue. These funds are used for fundamental property management.
• The Conservancy receives a portion of California’s Environmental License Plate Fund. These funds are generated by the sale of environmental license plates by the Department of Motor Vehicles in support of the California Environmental Protection Program.
• State voters have authorized $102 million in 6 bond acts to be used at the Conservancy Board’s discretion on land acquisition, planning, design, permitting, and construction to implement the San Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan. Bond funds from Propositions 1, 12, 13, 40, 68, and 84*, as well as grants and donations, provide funding for the Parkway’s capital improvement projects. The California Wildlife Conservation Board assists the Conservancy in administering bond funds and associated grants.

Public and Stakeholder Involvement

For information about public workshops and opportunities to comment on proposed projects and plans, please contact the Conservancy.

The Conservancy is committed to communicating with California Native American Tribes and tribal communities to secure meaningful input into the development of regulations, rules, policies, projects, and plans that may affect cultural resources and other tribal interests. Although we follow the California Natural Resources Agency’s Tribal Consultation Policy, the Conservancy is interested in being proactive in our relationships with local tribes. If you have any thoughts, please contact the Conservancy.

Land Acquisition

Acquiring lands for conservation and recreation in the Parkway from willing sellers continues to be the highest priority for investing bond funds to develop the Parkway. Interested landowners may contact the Conservancy’s Executive Officer, see Contact Us.

RECENT PROJECTS

RIVER WEST-FRESNO AUDUBON TRAFFIC MITIGATION

The Conservancy partnered with the City of Fresno for the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Del Mar and Audobon. With the installation of the traffic light, we celebrate a milestone in improving safe access to the River West – Eaton Trail Extension Project, which is a priority project for opening to the public for both recreation and river access.  We look forward to continuing our work with the City of Fresno to provide safe access for all to River West, the Eaton Trail, and the San Joaquin River Parkway.

News Release

RIVER WEST-MADERA

Consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the San Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan, the River West-Madera Master Plan is intended to provide a roadmap for implementation of the Parkway Master Plan as it relates to the project area. The River West-Madera Master Plan aims to further four main objectives for the project area: habitat restoration, public access, recreation, and outdoor education. The Master Plan also provides guidance regarding the implementation of Parkway Master Plan objectives.

JENSEN RIVER RANCH PHASE II HABITAT RESTORATION

The Conservancy has granted funds to the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust to create new wildlife habitat at the Conservancy’s 167-acre Jensen River Ranch. The project will eradicate weeds, develop a revegetation plan, plant native trees and shrubs, and irrigate the plants until they are self-sufficient. The project lies immediately north of Woodward Park near the San Joaquin River in Fresno County and can be viewed from the Tom McMichael Sr. Trail. Volunteers to help with the planting are welcomed, see Partners. ($563,970; Proposition 40)

LOST LAKE PARK CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS

The Conservancy has awarded funds to the County of Fresno to renovate the campground at Lost Lake Park. This project will improve recreational vehicle and tent camping facilities, redesign the layout of the camping area, rehabilitate or replace existing picnic shelters, tables, and fire pits as necessary, and make some campsites ADA accessible. Lost Lake Park continues to be the primary park providing recreation on the San Joaquin River in Fresno and Madera Counties. ($1,403,000; Proposition 40)

RIVER VISTA PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The Conservancy has contracted with the County of Madera to carry out the River Vista Planning and Environmental Review project. The goal of the project is to open the site for fishing, nature observation, picnicking, paddling and other similar activities. Proposed improvements include a gravel parking area, restroom, hiking trail, and picnic tables. The project study area includes approximately 150 acres in Madera County along the San Joaquin River immediately west of the Road 206 crossing. The future River Vista park will provide high-quality access to the river for the community of Friant and for visitors throughout the region. ($180,000; Proposition 40)

RIVERBOTTOM PARK AND SCHNEIDER PROPERTY HABITAT RESTORATION

The Conservancy has granted funds to River Partners to restore 147 acres located on the City of Fresno’s Riverbottom Park property located adjacent to the Santa Fe Railroad and the Conservancy’s Schneider property located in the same vicinity, in Madera County. Both project sites are within the floodplain of the San Joaquin River. The project will establish native plants and remove invasive weeds. Irrigation will be installed as needed to ensure plant survival. The project will provide critical breeding, roosting, and foraging habitat for nesting songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors, and water birds. Volunteers to help with planting are welcomed, see Partners. ($704,450; Proposition 40)

SAN JOAQUIN FISH HATCHERY PUBLIC ACCESS AND TRAIL

The Conservancy awarded a grant to the Department of Water Resources to construct a section of the San Joaquin River Parkway Trail on California Department of Fish and Wildlife state owned property.  The funds will be utilized to construct the Parkway Trail along side of the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery connecting to Lost Lake Park. Drinking water, rest areas, bike racks, solar lighting, outdoor seating area, trail bridge, and a parking area will also be constructed. The trail will lead to the San Joaquin River providing river access.  The completed project creates the Friant Interactive Nature Site (FINS), and the Parkway Trial provides the link for visitors to access the trout hatchery, the river, the Small Fry Children’s Trail, picnic areas, the neighboring Fresno County Lost Lake Park, the Salmon Conservation and Research Facility, as well as California native vegetation and wildlife viewing opportunities. ($2,230,000; Proposition 84)

SPANO RIVER RANCH, HABITAT ENHANCEMENT, PLANNING AND DESIGN

In collaboration with River Partners and the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, this Conservancy-funded project will plan, study, and complete required environmental reports to restore a portion of the Spano River Ranch site (River West – Fresno) to its historically rich biodiversity. The project is expected to result in increased habitat diversity, protect and improve the water quality of the pond onsite, and increase riparian and woodland habitat for wildlife. This project will be designed to complement other recreational uses being planned for the site. ($207,000; Proposition 40)

SYCAMORE ISLAND ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND POND ISOLATION, PLANNING AND DESIGN

The Conservancy has contracted with the California Department of Water Resources to isolate a pond from the river on the northern edge of Sycamore Island. The project will reestablish a berm and road to connect Sycamore Island and the Conservancy’s Van Buren Unit. This project will develop the conceptual and preliminary designs, analyses, and environmental review in compliance with CEQA, biological surveys and permit documents, and produce final engineering designs. When complete, the project will provide for improved management, improved river environmental conditions, and increased public recreation. ($232,000; Proposition 40)

Bonds*