Watershed restoration has accelerated in recent years with the completion of local watershed plans and the support of the Integrated Watershed Restoration Program (IWRP). Watershed plans provide a road map for watershed restoration by identifying key limiting factors in each watershed and recommending specific projects and programs to improve salmonid habitat conditions.
Watershed plans have been completed for Scott, San Lorenzo, Arana, Soquel, Aptos and Watsonville Sloughs watersheds. In addition, the County of Santa Cruz completed a fish passage assessment for culvert road crossings that included a prioritized list of projects to improve passage for steelhead and coho salmon.