Save Russian River Flow, Feb. 2004

Entrix Report: This report is concerning the proposed reduced flow on the Russian River. This link will take you to a page on the Sonoma County Water Agency SCWA site.

Reprinted courtesy of West County Gazette, February 2004

Save the Russian River, Save Sonoma County
Imagine Sonoma County without the Russian River

• Imagine a 100 year old ecosystem drying up and dying
• Imagine water that is undrinkable
• Imagine West Sonoma County in economic decline

As many of you know, The Russian River and surrounding area is facing a significant environmental and economic crisis. All of these things become possibilities if the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors agrees to a low flow proposal that would reduce the summer flow of the Russian River by up to 80%. Their desire to add millions to their budget by selling our water to other counties is not good for the River Communities, it’s not good for the Environment, it’s not good for the Fish, and it’s not good for Sonoma County. We need your help to fight this unthinkable proposal.

The “five year experiment” proposed by the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) is an unproven plan, that is in response to a need to comply with a federal mandate, to improve fish habitats that have impact on several threatened fish species.

According to Friends of the Russian River (FORR) Riverkeeper, Don McEnhill, after researching throughout the country, “There are no studies or examples that prove that decreasing summertime river flows will improve fish populations or habitat.”

This proposal would be disastrous to the fragile Lower Russian River environment and water quality, and seriously affect our business community. This could virtually end all recreation and visitor activities in the region.

This water flow reduction will begin within five years unless we all act now. Our elected officials can stop this SCWA proposal and focus efforts to preserve the Russian River environment and community including the threatened fish populations, instead of acquiring and selling water to support new development in Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties.

We also need your participation and involvement in this important issue. We urge you to attend two upcoming meetings:

River Community Town Hall Meeting
5:00 PM • Thursday, January 22, 2004
Guerneville Veterans Hall
1st and Church Streets, Guerneville

Public Policy Facilitating Committee Section 7 Consultation
9:00 AM • Friday, February 6, 2004
Board of Supervisors Chambers
575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa