A plan to change the way Sonoma Water manages the Russian River estuary from May 15 through October 15 is the subject of the Russian River Estuary Management Project Final Environmental Impact Report.

The proposed changes in estuary management are required by National Marine Fisheries Service Russian River Biological Opinion. The purpose of the project -- which includes a new way of opening the sandbar that sometimes closes the mouth of the Russian River, where it flows into the Pacific Ocean near Jenner – is to create a more productive environment for young steelhead.

Since the mid-1990s, Sonoma Water has artificially breached the sandbar when it closes and water levels in the estuary threaten low-lying properties. When the sandbar is breached, salt water from the ocean mingles with river water, creating saline conditions. In the Biological Opinion, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biologists found that the fresh water lagoon that is created when the sandbar closes naturally would help threatened steelhead during summer months. In order to reduce the risk of flooding while maintaining this fresh water lagoon, Sonoma Water worked with consultants to create a plan for sculpting the sandbar that will allow river water to flow over the top but keep ocean water from entering.

Final EIR

The Final EIR was released on July 28, 2011. The Final EIR includes revisions, updates, and clarifications made in response to public comment on the Draft EIR (see Draft EIR below).

Hearing Date: 

Sonoma Water Board of Directors certified the final EIR and approved the changes in estuary management practices on August 16, 2011.

• Presentation on Final EIR from Public Hearing, August 16, 2011

Final EIR Documents

• Presentation on Final EIR from Public Hearing, August 16, 2011
• Download Entire Final EIR Document (PDF, 132 MB)
  • Cover and Title page
  • Table of Contents
  • 1 - Introduction
  • 2 - Master Responses
  • 3.1 - Responses to Federal, State, and Local Agencies Comments
  • 3.2 - Responses to Groups and Organizations Comments - part 1
  • 3.2 - Responses to Groups and Organizations Comments - part 2
  • 3.3 - Responses to Individual (No Affiliation) Comments - A-C
  • 3.3 - Responses to Individual (No Affiliation) Comments - D-G
  • 3.3 - Responses to Individual (No Affiliation) Comments - H-L
  • 3.3 - Responses to Individual (No Affiliation) Comments - M-P
  • 3.3 - Responses to Individual (No Affiliation) Comments - R-Z
  • 3.4 - Responses to Public Hearing Comments
  • 4 - Revisions to the Draft EIR
  • Appendix 1 - Distribution List
  • Appendix 2 - Guerneville Flow Data Relative to Closure Events During the Lagoon Management Period (1996 - 2009)

Hard Copies of the Final EIR Document

Hard copies of the EIR are available for review at the following locations:

• Sonoma Water Administrative Office - 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa
• Guerneville Regional Library - 14107 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville
• Occidental Library - 73 Main Street, Occidental
• Sonoma County Central Library - 3^rd and E Street, Santa Rosa

CDs of the Final EIR are available for purchase at Sonoma Water's Administrative office (404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa) for $5.

Draft EIR

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the estuary outlet management plan.

• View background information and other reports/studies on the Russian River Estuary

Draft EIR Documents

• Download Entire Draft EIR Document (PDF, 26MB)
  • Cover
  • ADA Disclaimer
  • Table of Contents
  • Glossary of Acronyms
  • Executive Summary
  • 1 - Introduction
  • 2 - Project Description
  • 3 - Project Background and Environmental Setting
  • 4 - Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
  • 4.1 - Geology and Soils
  • 4.2 - Hydrology and Flooding
  • 4.3 - Water Quality
  • 4.4 - Biological Resources
  • 4.5 - Fisheries
  • 4.6 - Land Use and Agriculture
  • 4.7 - Recreation
  • 4.8 - Cultural Resources
  • 4.9 - Noise
  • 4.10 - Air Quality
  • 4.11 - Transportation and Traffic
  • 4.12- Hazards and Hazardous Materials
  • 4.13 - Public Services and Utilities and Public Safety
  • 4.14 - Aesthetics
  • 5 - Cumulative Analysis
  • 6 - Alternatives Analysis
  • 7 - Other Topics Required by CEQA 
  • 8 - List of EIR Preparers
  • Appendix 1 - Notice of Preparation, Scoping Report andScoping Comments
  • Appendix 2 - Air Quality – Supporting Documentation
  • (There is not an Appendix 3)
  • Appendix 4 - Local Regulatory Framework Governing Environmental Resources

Draft EIR Public Hearing - January 18, 2011

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, January 18 at the Jenner Community Hall.

Sonoma Water directors Efren Carrillo, Mike McGuire and David Rabbitt presided over the hearing, which was attended by about 70 people. Staff and consultants Environmental Science Associates provided an overview of the project and reviewed possible impacts on wildlife, plants, water quality, recreation and other resources.

• Staff presentation on Estuary Management Plan Draft EIR from January 18, 2011 Public Hearing

Draft EIR - Comments

People had an opportunity to provide oral or written comments at the January 18 meeting, in addition to by mail or by email.  Public comments closed on February 14, 2011.

Hard Copies of the Draft EIR Document

Hard copies of the EIR are available for review at the following locations:

• Sonoma Water  Administrative Office - 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa
• Guerneville Regional Library - 14107 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville
• Occidental Library - 73 Main Street, Occidental
• Sonoma County Central Library - 3^rd and E Street, Santa Rosa

Printed hard copies are also available for purchase at Sonoma Water's Administrative office (404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa) for $70.  CDs are also available for $10.

More Information on the Final EIR

Questions regarding the Final EIR should be directed to Jessica Martini-Lamb at (707) 547-1903.  For comments, questions, and more information contact us at Sonoma.Water@scwa.ca.gov