Public Opportunity to Learn How Habitat Enhancement Projects are Benefitting Russian River Coho, Steelhead

On Monday, April 22, the Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) will take a virtual tour of projects designed to help restore endangered and threatened fish to the Russian River watershed, while maintaining the region’s primary water supply (details below). 

The Biological Opinion was released by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in September 2008. This 15-year plan requires Sonoma Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to modify Russian River water supply and flood control operations to prevent harm to endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout.  The PPFC – comprised of elected and appointed officials from public agencies throughout the region – meets annually to review implementation of the Russian River Biological opinion.

“With 11 years of implementation under our belt, we’re seeing results – including coho and steelhead using new habitat that’s been created,” said PPFC Chairman James Gore, a Water Agency Director and a member of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “We are looking forward to sharing some great videos and photos to provide a new perspective on fish in the Russian River.”

The Biological Opinion requirements include reducing minimum summertime flows in the Russian River and Dry Creek; changing the way the sandbar is managed at the mouth of the Russian River between May 15 and October 15; enhancing habitat in Dry Creek; and fish monitoring.

Presentations on April 22 will include video footage and photos of projects that are often unreachable to the public due to private land access and safety concerns. Topics will include results from long-term monitoring of fish and other aquatic life in the Russian River estuary; how fish use new habitat created in Dry Creek; and a preview of a hand-drawn video project that illustrates story of the Russian River and the efforts to aid in the recovery of threatened and endangered species. The public will have an opportunity to comment.

Meeting Details

• Date:  Monday, April 22, 2019
• Time:  3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Lake Sonoma Visitors Center, 3288 Skaggs Springs Rd, Geyserville

The meeting agenda is available at  www.sonomacountywater.org/rrifr.