Construction is continuing in the Arcata Marsh in support of the Phase One Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project and a segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail will be temporarily impacted.
A segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail and Marsh trails between the Ox Pond trail parking lot on South G Street, the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center and Mt. Trashmore will be closed for a 30-day period for construction starting April 22. Community members should follow the posted detour signage and are encouraged to access the other open trails in the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary and along South I Street.
The City of Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility (AWTF) is continuing its Facility Improvements Project with further piping work and construction of new infrastructure to and within the Enhancement Marshes. Construction will focus specifically on new piping, electrical upgrades and the trail bridge over Butcher Slough. Construction will generally take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On some days the contractor may extend work hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The trail closures will stay in effect over the weekends when necessary for public safety.
Detour and closure signs will be posted only when trail access is restricted for public safety reasons. Please follow all closure signs to limit your risk of injury and to allow the contractor to continue working uninterrupted. For more information on City road and trail closures, please check out the City’s new interactive closure map, found at the bottom of the City of Arcata’s Home page under “Trails/Roads Closure Alerts” or at arcg.is/qSOe0.
The City of Arcata has contracted with Wahlund Construction, Inc. for Phase One of the project. Funding for this project, a project funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has been provided in full or in part under the California’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state bond proceeds through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. Additional funding for UV equipment has been provided in part by a HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The City has received all environmental permits and approvals for the project and has completed all pre- construction bird, amphibian, and botanical surveys. The City is working with a multidisciplinary team of consultants and city staff to monitor construction activities and minimize environmental impacts in and around the City’s core wastewater treatment facilities and the publicly accessible enhancement marshes. Please do not remove any staking or flagging found in the project area. Flagging and staking are used to mark new structures to construct, utilities, areas cleared by biologists and areas of concern to avoid during construction. Mitigation measures, including vegetation restoration, will commence after construction activities are completed. Construction activities are ongoing with an anticipated end date in December 2025. The City thanks residents for their ongoing support and understanding during the construction period.
For further information about the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Improvement Project, please contact the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184.