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The Marsh Creek Watershed Council (MCWC) has drafted a plan that outlines priority projects and initiatives our members identified as essential for supporting a healthier, more resilient Marsh Creek. Each goal in the plan follows the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

This spreadsheet serves as a working document where all MCWC members are invited to review, comment, and suggest edits (see the "Feedback" column). We encourage you to provide feedback on project goals, timelines, and partnerships, as well as to indicate your interest in taking the lead or collaborating on specific projects (see the “Owner” column). Your input is key to refining our shared priorities and ensuring that this plan reflects the full range of expertise and commitment within our watershed community.

Together, this plan will guide MCWC’s efforts to protect and enhance the Marsh Creek Watershed over the next several years by connecting partners, supporting community engagement, and strengthening ecological resilience.
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CategoryProject # (do not change)GoalPlan yearPriority (1=High, 2=Medium, 3=Low)Owner(s)StatusIs funding required? Y/NStatus NotesNext Steps/Actions NeededFeedback
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Internal1Establish a new MCWC board structure, including updated bylaws and clear oversight responsibilities20251--CompleteReview the MCWC Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles on our website here: https://www.ccrcd.org/marsh-creek-watershed-council
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Internal2Nominate and appoint a chair or president to lead the MCWC20251--CompleteMarsh Creek Watershed Council Chair: David Sondergeld
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Communication11Add a public comment section to the MCWC website to gather community feedback20262Ivette RiveroCompleteIvette will coordinate with Eric Akeson (CCRCD) to add this feature to the website. The public comment feature has been added to the MCWC webpage. All comments are automatically directed to Ivette who will the upload them to a spreadsheet for the Board to review.
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Internal7Update and formalize the meeting schedule (including Zoom, field trips, and in-person meetings)20261Ivette RiveroPlanninghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dz8xvO92iOU4pweqjYq4S6CKAyHxQpdH8sYQ1GNkCLY/edit?usp=sharing
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Communication6Develop a comprehensive FAQ and contact list to improve internal and external communication20261Ivette RiveroOngoingFind Marsh Creek Watershed FAQ doc here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U-A5R5UlcXgJQuvPgY-vzPnEDKb11nMPFlaEPCtHWIQ/edit?usp=sharing.
The Marsh Creek Watershed Council Contact List has been created but will only be used internally as it contains private information. Note: this list will continue to be updated over time as new connections are made and internal roles change.
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Community3Form a signage subcommittee to design and install educational signs (topics: salmon, creek ecology, regulations/reporting, cultural history, Informational and cautionary). Subcommittee would acquire funding and work with landowners to install this signage along Marsh Creek20261Ivette Rivero, David Sondergeld, CCAC FellowsOngoingHave already created some signage that reads "Conserve Your Watershed"- currently being stored in CCRCD warehouse. Need to decide where to place them along Marsh Creek. Also need to inventory current interpretive and warning signs along Marsh Creek. David, Paul, Brant and/or Gail (City of Brentwood) are interested in joining the subcommitte. CCAC Fellows could also be involved.
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Community13Create a steward program (Adopt-a-Creek/Creek Watch) for individuals/groups to sign up for sections of the 40 mile creek to keep clean and report issues20262Paul LindemanPlanning
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Water Quality4Coordinate and communicate results from mercury leak water testing20261David Sondergeld, Ivette Rivero, Satoko Mills, Thomas FortnerOngoingDavid has begun forming a committee to help coordinate and share information related to the mercury leak water testing. Satoko (The Watershed Project) and Thomas (EPA) have expressed interest in joining the committee. Thomas shared that water samples were collected from approximately 40 locations throughout the watershed, including the mine pond and background sites. About 12 of those sites were located along Marsh Creek down to Vineyard Parkway. The EPA is currently drafting a report that will include sampling locations and results, which is expected to be made public in Spring 2026. We are still hoping to secure representatives from FCD, EBRPD, and State Parks to join the committee.
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Recruit5Recruit at least two additional board member to bring the total to five20261David SondergeldPlanningThere are currently three MCWC Board Directors. According to the MCWC Bylaws, the Board shall “consist of not less than three nor more than seven Directors.” A special Board meeting was held on 2/10/2026 to discuss board nominations. During this meeting, the Board decided that nominated individuals should attend and participate in at least one monthly meeting and one field trip prior to appointment.
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Water Quality8Increase water testing and coordinate interagency communication from other tests20261OngoingMina, David, Teague interested in joining convo/committee
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Wildlife9Document identified wildlife seen within the watershed 20261Ivette RiveroNot yet startedDavid and Ivette are interested in collecting more data. Note: wildlife data should not include exact location since poaching is a concern. CCAC Fellows could participate in the project?
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Education10Educate property owners on county standards of private creek maintenance and any potentially required regulatory processes.20262David SondergeldOngoingLearn more here: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/5754/Private-Creek-Maintenance
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Restoration12Organize cleanups in Marsh Creek Watershed for Coastal Cleanup Day, Earth Day, Days of Service, and others20262Ivette Rivero, Mina Boozarpour, Teague Tran, Brant Wilson, Paul Lindeman, David SondergeldOngoingCCRCD hosted a cleanup at USCB for Coastal Cleanup Day on 9/20/2025. Ivette is currently planning another cleanup on MLK Day (1/19/2025) and will partner with EBRPD Big Break Staff to organize event. Ivette met with Miriam Klingler at Brentwood Creekside Park on 12/3/2025 for a site/trash assessment. Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed & Easy Bay Regional Park District hosted a creek cleanup at Brentwood Creekside park for MLK Day of Service on 1/19/2026 with over +100 people attending and 134 lbs of trash collected.
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Education14Create an annual ‘State of the Creek’ document about the success/progress of projects in the watershed that could be added to website (e.g. Walnut Creek Watershed Council Achievement Report)20262David Sondergeld, Ivette Rivero, Paul Lindeman, Barry MargessonNot yet startedFirst report will begin in January 2027- summarize work/project updates from the MCWC Action Plan and other initatives from 2026
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15Increase water holding areas in Marsh Creek Watershed (ex. Turtle Pond at Clayton Ranch) to support wildlife, assist w/ firefighting2David SondergeldNot yet startedWant to identify other locations in the upper watershed where water can be damed. Would have to partner/collaborate with private property owners, FCD, EBRPD, CDFW. Would need to create a plan of locations, materials needed, acquire funding for project
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Communication16Create an interpretative map where community members can find info on water quality data, fish and wildlife data, trash hotspots, and more20263Ivette RiveroPlanningIvette is currently working to create a Marsh Creek Watershed Story Map on ArcGIS and is open to collaboration to collect data/info on water quality, fish and wildlife, trash hotspots, and other watershed conditions. This is a great resource for viewing fish passage barriers and assessments across CA using an interactive map (could pull data specifically for Marsh Creek): https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/bios6/?al=ds69
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Restoration17Celebrate completion of Three Creeks Restoration Project to raise awareness of Marsh Creek and the benefits to have riparian habitat along the creek.20263Not yet startedOrganizers of the event could reach out to the City of Oakley for funding to host a celebration. Sara Puckett mentioned that October might be a good time to host.
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Note: The following goals with a timeline extending to 2030 or beyond represent ongoing or continuous efforts that support the long-term health and resilience of the Marsh Creek Watershed.
Because these initiatives often require sustained collaboration, adaptive management, and incremental progress, they should be reviewed annually to track progress, identify challenges, and adjust actions as needed
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State ParkExplore the possibility of prescribed burns on State Parks property with CalFire. 2026Ongoing
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State ParkEncourage/work with the state to develop/open Marsh Creek State Park.2026Ongoing
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EducationIncrease educational opportunities for K-12 students.2030Plan
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EducationRevisit city/county recommended plants and update to remove any invasive species and include more drought tolerant native plants. 2030Plan
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EducationGive history of what was in the area of interest (example: farms, certain wildlife, native people and their lives).2030Plan
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CommunityIncrease and improve trail access to Marsh Creek and its tributaries, including through Marsh Creek State Park, Sand Creek Trail to Black Diamond Mine, and Dutch Slough2030Plan
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CommunityPublic access from Mt. Diablo to the delta.2030Plan
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Water QualityMonitor (or support monitoring) of Marsh Creek water quality from the upper watershed to the Delta.2030Plan
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Water QualityCoordinate data on water quality from the many agencies that test or have tested the water quality in the Marsh Creek Watershed. 2030Plan
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State ParkPotentially take an advocacy role. There is a need for people to maintain, there are cultural resources present, etc..2030Plan
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State ParkProvide a forum for individual members to come and share their thoughts/efforts and ask for support. Educate the public and protect cultural resources. 2030Plan
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State ParkFunding for Marsh Creek State Historic Park.2030Ongoing
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WildlifeComplete a habitat and water quality study. 2030Plan
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WildlifeWork on tracking wildlife. 2030Plan
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CommunityManage floods to reduce the negative impact on people. 2030Plan
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CommunityEnsure property owners have better flood risk management on Marsh Creek (property owners have been trapped for weeks during storms). 2030Plan
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OtherFind out who does what in the watershed. Create a questionnaire to agencies, governments, volunteer groups, organizations, etc.. Regulation, enforcement, protection, development. 2030Plan
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RestorationSupport widening of Marsh Creek and installation of a longer pedestrian bridge upstream of Oakley Creekside Park to restore floodplain and riparian habitat. 2030Plan
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RestorationCreate more sustainable water pools within the creek and watershed. Water pools would help with Fire Abatement, defense as well as provide sustained water for animals in the area.2030Plan
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EducationDevelop informational materials for living/recreating in/near creeks and throughout the watershed (potential to include information through a native lens, if able).2030Plan
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EducationEducate property owners (potential to work with Fish and Wildlife to produce something)2030Plan
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RestorationAdvance or support restoration projects that increase habitat and trees along Marsh Creek, including the Flood Control Channel. 2050Ongoing
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RestorationHelp and support maintenance of riparian habitat along Marsh Creek to support existing restoration projects and encourage new restoration projects along Marsh Creek. 2050Ongoing
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RestorationEnsure the creek and habitat restoration projects are well stewarded. 2050Ongoing
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RestorationAcquire more funding for large and small projects.  2050Ongoing
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RestorationAdvocate for the region to acquire more funding to complete these large projects.  2050Ongoing
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RestorationIncrease state and federal funding for conservation, restoration, trails, and education in the Marsh Creek Watershed.2050Ongoing
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RestorationFacilitate, engage with, and coordinate projects that the Contra Costa County Flood Control District and others wish to complete and determine how they can work together with other projects and goals. 2050Ongoing
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RestorationWork with developers to make the creek an amenity (e.g. setting development back to make room for restoration, facing homes and businesses toward the creek, etc.).2050Ongoing
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RestorationSupport implementation of Marsh Creek riparian restoration adjacent to the John Marsh Stone House with State Parks and Contra Costa County Flood Control District. 2050(Chris)Ongoing
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RecruitPromote MCWC within cities by giving examples of what MCWC can do for cities (advise on plans, etc.).  2050Ongoing
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RecruitRecruit more property owners/recreational users to participate in MCWC and/or the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FoMCW).2050Ongoing
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CommunityMCWC is an advocacy group that contributes to an east Contra Costa identification with the watershed.2050Ongoing
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CommunityBring together the communities in the watershed and facilitate identification with Marsh Creek as a region. 2050Ongoing
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CommunityStay informed on development projects that may impact creeks in the watershed. 2050Ongoing
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CommunityParticipate in big level meetings as needed such as city council meetings with agenda items that pertain to the MCWC. 2050Ongoing
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