News
District 1 February 2023 Newsletter
I have spent many a recent winter praying for rain, and this season, the rain finally came! Beginning in late December, we saw storm after storm pummel our state – sometimes you get more than what you asked for. Read full story
Return to In-person meetings - Roads and River MAC - 2/14/23
We will be returning to In-person MAC meetings as the post-COVID Brown Act virtual exemptions sunset. The State of California requires us to return to pre-COVID in-person meeting requirements. Our goal is to also provide a hybrid solution, but this is not yet ready for prime time. Therefore, for the time being, these meetings will be in person with a recording that can be watched afterwards. Read full story
District 1 February 2023 Short Newsletter
I'm back with another short-form newsletter, though it's hard to keep these short! Please continue reading below for announcements, information on upcoming events, and community news, and in my next newsletter I will be writing about our recent storms, their impacts on Sonoma County residents, and their effect on drought. Read full story
District 3 Newsletter Jan 2023
Read our January 2023 Newsletter for updates on new county leadership, climate action news, regional storm response, and information on community announcements and local events. Read full story
District 1 January 2023 Newsletter
Happy New Year! I hope you had a joyful holiday season and that your 2023 is off to a good start, rain included!Original Publishing Date: 1/23/23 Read full story
Housing Element, Land Use, Governance Study & MAC Update - February 2
We’re hearing quite a bit from West County communities about the Draft Environmental Impact Review (DEIR) which proposes upzoning of certain properties to provide additional housing in unincorporated areas. So we thought we’d take a moment to fill you in on process, share upcoming opportunities to comment and participate, and also provide some background. Read full story
Governance Workshop February 4 and MAC meetings updates
You are invited to attend an in-person Community Workshop to provide feedback on the Lower Russian River Governance Study on Saturday, February 4th, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Guerneville School Multi Purpose Room at 14630 Armstrong Woods Road.Help identify what government services should be improved, expanded, or newly provided to improve the overall quality of life in the Lower Russian River region. Coffee, food, childcare, and Spanish interpretation will be provided. Read full story
Reintroducing Sea Otters along the Pacific Coast
U.S. Fish & Wildlife recently determined sea otter reintroduction was feasible in a variety of areas along the Pacific Coast of the United States, including the San Francisco Bay Area, a former habitat range for sea otters. Reintroducing sea otters has a range of benefits from carbon sequestration to ecosystem resilience, and we invite further exploration of the Sonoma County coast as a potential reintroduction site. Read full story
STORM & RECOVERY UPDATE 1.14.23, 7:30PM
It’s another round of good news: we’ve avoided major flooding along the lower Russian River! NOAA is currently projecting that the Russian River will crest at 30 feet, two feet shy of flood stage, Sunday morning. Also, the County is launching a pilot program to open two Recovery Support Centers! Residents who were impacted by power outages, floods, evacuations, and tree falls need immediate assistance and it is too early to know whether FEMA funding will be available. This local funding is accessed by calling 2-1-1. Operators will pre-screen residents and then refer them to local community-based organizations to determine eligibility and receive direct financial assistance when they need it most. I am acutely aware of the geographic isolation of North Coast residents, and the severe windstorm impacts born by that area. We recognize the challenges North Coast residents would have in accessing services at the Recovery Support Centers. Direct outreach to impacted North Coast individuals and families will be taking place through the local school system and affordable housing providers. North Coast residents in need are encouraged to call 2-1-1. Read full story
USACE ANNOUNCES RELEASE AT COYOTE VALLEY DAM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District (USACE) will begin a series of high-flow releases from Coyote Valley Dam at Lake Mendocino starting mid-day on Monday, Jan. 16, in response to reservoir levels and improving downstream conditions on the Russian River. No increased releases will occur at Warm Springs Dam at Lake Sonoma during this time. Read full story