We met today with Ann DuBay, Public Information Officer of the Sonoma County Water Agency. Grant Davis, the new Interim General Manager, had been invited, but had to attend to a family medical emergency. Ann did a great job of filling in.

The SCWA recently released a Water Supply Strategy Action Plan (WSSAP). It details ten strategies for addressing the challenges of managing the river for drinking water customers, fish and recreational users. Their biggest challenge lately is the Biological Opinion rendered by regulatory agencies to protect endangered and threatened fish. Specifically, the SCWA is required to improve sections of Dry Creek for fish habitat, so that young fish will have safe, protected pools away from fast-flowing water being released from Lake Sonoma.

In addition, they have been told to reduce the flow in the lower river in order to create a safer environment for young fish, and to facilitate the development of the sandbar at the mouth of the river. The sandbar creates a pool of fresh water where young fish can mature. A specialized type of drainage exit for river water will be made in the sandbar so the pool doesn’t create flood conditions for lower river residents.

For more on the Plan, see the water agency’s website. There’s a link that allows you to download the 39 page report, and one for a presentation on it.

In discussion, Guy Conner asked about governance for Russian River decisions, as portions of tributaries come from Mendocino and Napa Counties. Fred Krueger suggested that water bills might include a check-off box to donate a dollar (or more) to a fund to help offset increased water charges to low-income households, as water rates have risen. Stephan Fuller-Rowell announced that the Technical Meeting of the Sonoma County Water Coalition will meet next Wednesday, 6/23 at 7 PM, at the Environmental Center at 55 Ridgway (west of 101, off Cleveland).

Anne E. Seeley