Staff in this section provide specialized expertise and assist with policy development and guidance in both wetlands management and restoration and ecological functions as they relate to Department activities. Within the section is the Department’s Wetlands Restoration Coordinator and Recreation and Wildlife Resources Advisor for ecological issues.

The department's Wetlands Restoration Coordinator consults with and assists department management to formulate and implement wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and land use policies and practices. The coordinator works with department inter and intra agency committees and working groups regarding wetlands and land use policy together with wildlife and recreation activities. Land use resource area manager for the FERC relicensing of the Oroville facilities is included in the coordinator’s responsibilities. Opportunities for wetlands restoration and enhancement are identified by the coordinator through the tracking and evaluation of department programs. Wetlands generally include swamp, bogs and similar areas.

The RWRA (Ecology) assists with development of departmental policy as it pertains to a variety of ecological issues related to programs in the Department. The position represents the Department on the San Francisco Estuary Project, Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture and Team Arrundo del Norte. Staff has the lead in development of the Environmental Water Use component of the State water Plan (Bulletin 160).