Home Is The Lower River
After travelling south for over 80 miles through Mendocino and Northern Sonoma Counties, the Russian River makes a sharp right turn at Forestville and heads west for about 25 miles where it flows into the ocean at the town of Jenner. Mark West Creek and Laguna de Santa Rosa watersheds converge into the Russian River at the turn in Forestville.
The ambiance of the lower Russian River has changed relatively little in the last forty years. Visitors come here to experience our paradise from all over the world, and our area inevitably leaves an indelible impression on them. Those of us who are fortunate to live here full time are committed to preserving its extraordinary features. Furthermore, when change is inevitable, local devoted protectors want it accommodated with sensitivity to our natural values. The urban approach is not welcome in our rustic setting.
The lower Russian also has a rich history as vacation get-away for the greater Bay Area. The waterway is thickly lined with giant redwoods for most of its westerly course, and summer cabins are hidden on hillsides, riverbanks, and in deep interior canyons. About two thirds of the former cabins have been converted to full time use over the last 25 years. The formerly dilapidated housing stock is rapidly being refined.
The Russian River used to be one of the three greatest Steelhead fisheries on the North Coast. Fishermen flocked here from far and wide every winter to fish their fill. It is only in the last fifty years, that their numbers have been decimated, and the Endangered Species Act has stepped in to play a major role in river management. It is one of RRWPC’s major concerns however, that proposed projects to save the fish may be too little, too late, and may cause more harm to the watershed than bring protections for the fish.
The river also serves as a water supply source for about 600,000 urban dwellers in Sonoma County and Marin, as well as providing a source of water for extensive grape growing activities throughout the region. Balancing all of the water needs in the area calls for sophisticated management of the resource. This has led to more focus on improved conservation, wastewater reuse, and better management of groundwater resources, to name a few. There is still much to be done.
But there is a dark side to all this. This area of extraordinary natural beauty and extensive natural resources is also extremely fragile. It is subject to large floods, massive slides, falling trees, high water tables, water quality problems, etc. It is concern for this fragility that has motivated RRWPC to devote our life’s work over the last 32 years to preservation of the lower Russian River watershed. This website is testimony to that concern and represents our work to preserve it from the influences that would turn it into something other than what it is.
Sonoma County Gazette, January 2012
Septics, AB885 and TMDLsNow that a new year has begun, some of you may be wondering where things stand with new proposed septic regulations that are likely to have a major impact on our Russian River community.
AB 885 was authorized by the State Legislature in 2000 and called for the establishment of more stringent regulations on septics, especially on those located near impaired water bodies (i.e.: containing excessive pathogens and nutrients).
AB885 goes back to the drawing board…. In 2008 the State issued proposed regulations that included a one-size-fits-all list of requirements, including mandatory inspections. After thousands of people protested vociferously, the State subsequently took their proposal back to the drawing board. The new version provides septic policy that takes a risk-based approach, allowing many areas “off the hook”, but not properties located in fragile river environments, such as our own. High water tables, porous soils, steep slopes, and generally small lot sizes, makes conventional septic installation that meets all current requirements virtually impossible for many local parcels.
The revised policy has now entered a new hearing phase. On November 2, 2011, the State locally unveiled a new version of the proposed septic policy. The new version has tiered requirements to fit specific high risk circumstances. (More detailed information can be obtained at the State Water Resources Control Board website.)
New, identified tiers include….. Read More >>
Newsletter, November 2011
Dear RRWPC Supporter:My friend Sherrie visited the Russian River Estuary recently and shared her impressions of the natural scene: “John and I kayaked out at the mouth yesterday and it was extraordinary. The pictures don't even begin to capture it. The mouth was open and there were more birds than I have ever seen, including all sorts of gulls, scooters and pelicans. We could also see dozens of harbor seals resting on the bank. It was like life soup out there. The weather was perfect, hardly any wind, bright, sunny and warm. We keep reminiscing on this wonderful field trip, and wonder why we haven't put in at the mouth before. It was so fantastic and teeming with life!”
In stark contrast, the Estuary Project will utilize bulldozers on the Goat Rock State Park Dunes as many as 36 days a summer between May 15th and October 15th, in order to construct an outlet channel that allows river water to flow out, but forms a barrier to keep salty ocean water from coming in. The goal is to develop a fresh water lagoon that provides fresh water habitat for Steelhead and Coho juvenile fish to grow fatter before their lengthy sojourn in the ocean. There are many problems with altering this natural phenonomen for two species, including increased water quality degradation, possible loss of seals who leave area when mouth is closed, limited beach access during channel construction and maintenance, permanently lowered summer river flows, etc. The worst part is that this is an experiment, and no one knows if it will work as intended.
These issues were outlined in the brochure we circulated with our last mailer. You can view it again and read our project commentaries on our new website at www.rrwpc.org. Read More >>
RRWPC Files Lawsuit Over Certification of FEIR
B. Adelman email sent to supporters 9-16-11.Friends:
On September 14th, RRWPC filed a lawsuit against the Sonoma County Water Agency over their certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the Estuary Management Project. This came after RRWPC had submitted a 21 page letter appealing to the Board of Directors (Supervisors) not to take this action the day before their decision. Also, about ten other supporters had also submitted significant comments on this issue at that time that were also ignored. (Please let me know if you would like a copy of that letter. I didn't want this message loaded with too many documents.)
Our reasons are many for taking this action. A great deal of thought and study has gone into doing this. Lawsuits can be difficult and expensive and we will need to raise extra funds to go through this process. We hope you can help, either through direct contribution and/or through publicity of this action to others who may contribute.
This message will not go through all the details of why we took this action, because they are listed in the attached petition and brochure, which was published this week in color in spite of great printing expense. We hope to get more printed when funds come in and will try to distribute them broadly.
Please let us know if you can help fund and/or distribute. Read More >>
We Need Your Help!!
RRWPC recently filed a lawsuit challenging the Sonoma County Water Agency’s Certification of the EIR for the Estuary Management Project. Donations are needed to help pay legal fees and costs. Please send checks to RRWPC, PO Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446. You can, also, use PayPal below. (RRWPC is a 501(c)(4)nonprofit corporation. We do not sell or loan our supporter lists to anyone.)
