Yuba Water Agency purchasing 153 acres for habitat enhancement

The Yuba Water Agency plans to buy 153 acres of land between Highway 20 and the Yuba River. This land will support two irrigation districts with a pipeline project and may help create more natural habitats along the river. On Tuesday, the agency's Board of Directors will vote on a budget change. This change will allow the agency to pay $1.1 million for the property, which was originally listed at $1.5 million. The agency aims to close the purchase by April. Jack Hirsch is the seller of the land. Owning this land will help the Cordua and Hallwood Irrigation Districts improve a canal that runs through the property. The current setup has faced scrutiny from state regulators due to concerns about juvenile salmon getting injured as they return to the river. The Yuba Water Agency has also received a $30 million grant to build a “nature-like fishway” on the south side of the Yuba River. This $75 million project aims to help fish move upstream past a dam. The agency hopes to fix the fish return issue on both sides of the river. Benefits of the land purchase include easier access to irrigation facilities from Highway 20 and the ability to improve fish passage without needing cooperation from a private landowner. It also supports plans to increase water capacity for another district and create additional wildlife habitats along the river.