Public Meeting on Local Fish Habitat Restoration Projects

On Thursday, Feb. 22 the Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) will hold its annual meeting to review projects that are helping to restore endangered and threatened fish to the Russian River watershed while maintaining the region’s primary water supply. This year’s meeting will include a walking tour of a habitat enhancement project on Dry Creek.

“It’s been nearly 10 years since the release of this 15-year plan to help Russian River coho, Chinook salmon and steelhead. We hope people can join us as we review accomplishments and hear what’s next,” said Sonoma County Water Agency Board Chairman James Gore, who also chairs the PPFC. “We’ll also be having some fun, and taking a walking tour of a Dry Creek habitat enhancement site.”

The meeting and tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lake Sonoma Visitors Center, 333 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville. The nearly one-mile walking tour of a habitat enhancement site will take place off-site, following the meeting. Sturdy shoes are strongly recommended for the tour. Please email ann.dubay@scwa.ca.govif you are interested in the tour, to ensure adequate parking and supplies.

The Biological Opinion was released by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in September 2008. This 15-year plan requires the Sonoma County Water Agency (Water Agency) 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.

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 estuary between May 15 and October 15; enhancing habitat in Dry Creek; and fish monitoring.

Presentations on Feb. 22 will include video footage from a new drone that is being used to streamline monitoring of the Dry Creek Habitat Enhancement Project. The public will have an opportunity to comment.

Meeting Details

• DATE: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018
• TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
• LOCATION: Lake Sonoma Visitors Center, 3333 Skaggs Springs Rd., Geyserville

The meeting agenda is available at www.sonomacountywater.org/rrifr. For additional information, please contact Ann DuBay at Ann.DuBay@scwa.ca.gov or (707) 524.8378.