The Salt River Basin is located in Humboldt County, 15 miles south of Eureka, CA and encompasses approximately 47 square miles (30,425 acres). The Salt River Basin is comprised of the Wildcat tributaries (12,775 acres) and the alluvial delta (17,650 acres). The headwaters of the Salt River Basin reach an average elevation of 800 feet with maximum elevations of 1,750 feet. The Salt River Basin has a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F. Average annual precipitation in the region is 44 inches, 90% of which falls during the winter season.      The Salt River Basin is part of the Eel River Delta and Estuary, although its role as an estuarine slough has lessened over the years. At one time the Salt River was a significant part of the Eel River Estuary and was a tidal stream at all times. It is thought that the Salt River occupies a former channel of the Eel River that was left behind as the dominant channel of the Eel River migrated north across the delta over centuries of change. The Salt River, under 1850 conditions, had four anadromous freshwater tributaries, seven smaller drainages and several significant estuarine tributaries.      The Salt River is located in an area where natural processes create a dynamic and ever-changing aquatic system. These natural processes include: loosely consolidated sedimentary rock formation in the Wildcat Hills that are susceptible to large scale landslides; steep slopes, and a high occurrence of earthquakes. The project area is also influenced by tectonic subsidence and uplift and by changes in sea level. Other natural processes that influence the Salt River include intense winter rainfall. A complex interaction of a century and a half of land use actions combined with natural conditions and events have destroyed the Salt River.      The Salt River is located in an area where natural processes create a dynamic and ever-changing aquatic system. These natural processes include: loosely consolidated sedimentary rock formation in the Wildcat Hills that are susceptible to large scale landslides; steep slopes, and a high occurrence of earthquakes. The project area is also influenced by tectonic subsidence and uplift and by changes in sea level. Other natural processes that influence the Salt River include intense winter rainfall. A complex interaction of a century and a half of land use actions combined with natural conditions and events have destroyed the Salt River.      The vast majority of the Salt River Delta is now in agricultural production. The Wildcat Hills are managed for pastoral land use and small scale timber production by many landowners. Residential development upon the Salt River Delta and the Wildcat Hills will likely increase which is a problem due to an associated increase in road construction and a change in drainage patterns.      Residents that live and work along the banks of the Salt River are plagued by annual flooding and ponding, which has significant economic impact for those directly affected. Also, the Ferndale wastewater treatment plant, located at the confluence of Francis Creek and the Salt River, is currently operating under a Cease and Desist order issued by the North Coast Water Quality Control Board. The Water Quality Control Board has also imposed a moratorium of new sewer hookups for the City of Ferndale. The failure of the City to comply with water quality regulations is directly related to the ever-worsening channel conditions in the Salt River.      Sedimentation in the mainstem Salt River (river mile 7.5) has become so bad that the channel has completely filled with sediment and has caused a diversion of water. The eastern portion of the Salt River Basin has now been diverted to flow into the Old River which represents a 42% reduction in Salt River Basin size. At this time, Williams Creek no longer flows into the Salt River and is no longer accessible to salmonids.      Restoration of the Salt River is led by the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District and supported by the Salt River Advisory Group which is comprised of landowners, the California Department of Fish & Game, Natural Resource Conservation District, Coastal Conservancy, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Humboldt County and the City of Ferndale. Efforts to restore the Salt River aim to solve the cause of ecosystem problems rather than focusing on alleviating current conditions.