Caltrans Stream Restoration Initiative Includes Renaming of Waterway in Mendocino County

Following a yearlong process involving local and federal agencies, a stream located south of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County will be renamed Stanley Creek. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) and California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names (CAGN) recently approved the change as the previous name is considered offensive and harmful to Native communities.

The new designation recognizes Clyde Stanley, a lifelong Fort Bragg resident who made substantial contributions to his community as a World War II Army veteran and first Chairman of the Sherwood Valley Tribe. With his wife Harriet, Stanley raised four children. He was a dual citizen in both the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, a federally recognized tribe, and the Noyo River Indian Community.

"This renaming not only honors Mr. Stanley's legacy but also demonstrates a commitment to acknowledging and celebrating Indigenous heritage during continued efforts for visibility and representation," said Caltrans District 1 Senior Environmental Specialist Clancy De Smet. "We are proud to have led this initiative for the project and extend our appreciation to everyone who helped make the renaming process possible."

The effort is part of a Caltrans-initiated stream restoration project along Route 1 near Tregoning Drive. The project involves replacing a box culvert with a full-span bridge to improve fish passage using accelerated construction methods and will follow California Fish and Wildlife (CFW) and NOAA Fisheries Service guidelines. The bridge will have wider shoulders and improved access for pedestrians. Work also includes restoring both the banks and channel to enhance habitat for anadromous fish, including the federally listed coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Caltrans collaborated with local tribes, state agencies and federal partners throughout the process. Caltrans District 1 hopes this collaborative process can help inform similar efforts in the future.

###