The East Bear Creek Unit was acquired in 1993 under the San Joaquin Basic Action Plan. This 4,000-acre unit consists of floodplain habitat that has been cut off from flood flows, degraded riparian habitat within flood control levees, and irrigated pasture.

With funding provided by North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, a total of 1,883 acres of emergent and riparian wetlands are being restored in 2000 and 2001. The project involves several activities:

• the installation of two lift pumps;
• two miles of pipeline to ensure dependable water deliveries;
• earthmoving to create a mosaic of meandering channels, basins, and uplands out of the current pastureland;
• linking new and existing channels and riparian oxbows to a water supply;
• installing water control structures;
• fencing off riparian habitat and planting native trees and shrubs;
• placing wood duck boxes.

In addition, a total of 1,773 acres of wetland associated uplands will be restored by leveling old berms and levees, removing unnecessary fences, and disking up and planting native grasses on former irrigated pasture.