Public Opportunity to Learn About Habitat Projects that Benefit Threatened Fish in the Russian River Watershed

On Thursday, March 12, 2020 the Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) will host its annual meeting to receive reports and presentations on various projects designed to help restore endangered and threatened fish to the Russian River watershed, while maintaining the region’s primary water supply.  The meeting will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Healdsburg Community Center. This year’s gathering will be a joint meeting of the PPFC and the Dry Creek Habitat Enhancement Project Community Meeting. A tour of a Dry Creek habitat project site will precede the meeting.

A 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.

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 March 12 will include the Russian River estuary management for salmonids; Flood Patterns and the Dry Creek Project; and the presentation of the final graphic video project that explains flows in the Russian River. There will also be an update on the Dry Creek Habitat Enhancement Project. The public will have an opportunity to comment.

Thursday, March 12, 2020
2-3 p.m.
Dry Creek Habitat Enhancement Project Site Visit
Meet at the Lake Sonoma Visitors Center

3:30-4 p.m.
Open House – refreshments and poster session
Healdsburg Community Center
1557 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg

4–6 p.m.
PPFC and Dry Creek Community Meeting
Healdsburg Community Center

The meeting agenda is available at www.sonomawater.org/biological-opinion-outreach