Russian River Low Flow Protest

Protest ALERT!
for PERMANENT
Russian River LOW FLOW!

Background….

By Brenda Adelman
Over a year ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a Biological Opinion (BO) to institute management changes in the Russian River that would protect three fish species of concern: Coho and Chinook salmon and Steelhead Trout. While many support efforts to save the threatened and endangered species, the Order did not address many project impacts, such was water quality, recreation and the local economy. Furthermore, much of the project is a long-term experiment and results may not be known for many years.

Because of very low storage levels in Lake Mendocino, Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) was permitted to temporarily lower flows from 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) to between 35 and 70 cfs in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2009.

SCWA was also ordered by the Biological Opinion to apply to the State Water Board for PERMANENTLY lowered flows in the Russian River, which they did on September 23, 2009. The State determined that protests are due by April 12, 2010, BEFORE they conduct environmental review. There is also a study of water quality by U.S.G.S. that will be released AFTER the protest period has ended. People are urged to ask for more time to express concerns.

For your reference, SCWA petition is entitled: “Petition for Modification of Water-Right Permits” and with State Water Board notices, can be found at the State Water Board’s website at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/publications_forms/

Lower flows to become permanent…..
It is being recommended that minimum flows in the lower Russian River be permanently decreased from 125 cfs to 70 cfs. As recently as 2006, summer flows were commonly running about 200 cfs. We do not believe that the State is required to adopt these changes as is, but before they reject or alter them, they must have good cause. We hope Russian River lovers will protest this project. The DEADLINE for PROTESTS is APRIL 12, 2010. To have a big impact, a lot of people need to respond.

Full environmental review should occur BEFORE the deadline for comments and AFTER all water quality studies and analyeses are released to the public. There are many unanswered questions about what impacts will result from this action. The process is backwards.

Long range impacts of low flows are unknown….
There are large gaps in information about the long-range impacts of lowering flows permanently. NMFS is making this demand on the lower river for the sole purpose of keeping the Estuary closed all summer in order to provide habitat for steelhead.

They did not adequately address impacts to water quality, other species (including the listed Chinook salmon), water supply, recreation, or other beneficial uses. We don’t know what will happen to the seals, the sea birds, and we don’t know why the frogs have all but disappeared.
We want something done about polluting nutrients, sedimentation, toxins, (including emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals) and temperature problems. All of these factors affect the fish and human use as well. We also wonder about long term impacts on recreation and the local tourist economy.

In the Biological Opinion, NMFS did require limited water quality monitoring for conventional pollutants such as temperature, pH, turbidity, specific conductance, bacteria, and limited nutrients. The tests for phosphorus (a nutrient) were improperly done and the results are meaningless.

Although the excursions of bacteria at lower river beaches were quite numerous (You may have noticed warning signs on the beaches.), they are being characterized as no worse than previous years during higher flows. There has been no analysis of the data, so we don’t know on what basis they are drawing those conclusions. Many believe that low flow has and will make pollution worse.

All of last summer, when lower-river flows averaged about 70 cfs, volunteers took weekly pictures at several points along the lower river. Many canoeists reported and photographed gross algae blooms. We saw large amounts and many kinds of algae; we saw extensive blooms of invasive plant species, and we saw many instances of canoes scraping bottom.

We took pictures of people and pets standing ankle deep in the middle of the river. We heard second hand stories of pets getting very ill right after playing in the river. And, at our request, the Regional Board tested a few sites for toxic blue-green algae, which they found at one of the popular local beaches. It may also be occurring at other places.

Send protests to State Water Board, SCWA, & RRWPC….
PROTEST FORM CAN BE FOUND AT SONOMA COUNTY GAZETTE WEBSITE AT: www.sonomacountygazette.com/riverflowprotest.pdf Protest should be sent to the State Board at the address listed on the form. (Please mail by April 9th, to make sure they get to the State in time.)

CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO PRINT PETITION

Copies MUST also be sent to Sonoma County Water Agency C/O Grant Davis, General Manager, P.O. Box 11628, Santa Rosa, CA 95406, and if possible, also to RRWPC at P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446.

Please write a letter about your own river experiences and why you are concerned about lower flows. If you have photos to include, please do so, but make sure you send to both the State Board (address on form) AND SCWA (address above). You can use form as a template for your own letter or just fill out form directly. Please circle the ways in which you personally utilize the river.

Please tell us your stories about the river….
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee will be providing our own protest to the State Water Board. It would help us if we could submit your stories about the river. Please send information to address listed below. Your name and the date should appear on the letter and also note approximate date you were in the river. We would like to hear about how very low flows will affect your business, the local tourist economy, recreation and your use of the river.
We wonder if any person or pet you know had health problems resulting from contact from the river? Did you notice any changes in water quality last year from prior years (even if it was a long time ago)? What did the water look like, how has it changed, and what did you see floating in and around? Did anyone you know have stomach distress of any kind, skin rashes, eye, ear, throat, or nose problems, or anything else? Was it necessary to visit a doctor? How long did symptoms last? Where in the river were you located after which the problem occurred? How soon afterward did you or someone you know exhibit symptoms? Please share whatever details you can.

Email Brenda and/or RRWPC at rrwpc@comcast.net with questions or comments or if you want to be placed on our mailing list. Please mail stories to RRWPC, P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb

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Russian River Watershed Geologic Mapping

As part of the Baseline Watershed Assessment for the RRWAMP (Russian River Watershed Adaptive Management Plan), the California Geological Survey (CGS) prepared a “Geologic Map and Landslide Potential Evaluation of the Russian River Watershed” under contract to the US Army Corp of Engineers. CGS completed the landslide potential evaluation using an approach similar to that developed by CGS for watershed investigations under the North Coast Watershed Assessment Program, the Watershed Mapping Program and other programs.

The methodology used in this investigation included the compilation of a watershed geologic map, the preparation of a Landslide Potential Matrix that evaluated the slope stability characteristic of the geologic unit for several categories of slope steepness, and then creating a Relative Landslide Potential Map that was modeled from these data using ArcGIS. The geologic map and landslide potential map was digitized into ESRI shapefiles using ArcGIS.

The CGS maps and accompanying report are available on the Russian River Interactive Information System web site: http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/

The Geologic and Landslide Potential maps consist of GIS files available at: http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/Content/10109/Physical_Geography.html

...under the “File Name Data Hyperlink” of “Geology”. There are four GIS files with “Source” of “CALGEO.”

The CGS Report is at:
http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/Content/10107/preview.html

...under the “Short Description” heading of “Geology”. The report is the first citation. The direct link is: Haydon, W. D. California Department of Conservation California Geological Survey. 2007. Landslide Potential Evaluation, Russian River Watershed, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, California http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/docManager/1000003375/CGS%20Russian%20River%20LPM%20Report_2.pdf

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding CGS’s investigations in the Russian River Watershed.

Best regards,
Wayne D. Haydon
Engineering Geologist
California Geological Survey
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
phone (707) 576-2162
fax (707) 576-2844
email Wayne.Haydon@conservation.ca.gov

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Flood Safety Awareness Week

It’s Flood Safety Awareness Week -- Did you know that in many cases flood dangers can be diminished by removing unsafe dams or poorly located levees? Is there an outdated dam or levee in your community? Catch a sneak peak of our new video about how communities removed dams and levees to solve flooding problems.

American Rivers is working with communities across the country to bring flood management into the 21st century. By protecting wetlands, moving development out of floodplains, and removing outdated dams, we can cost-effectively protect homes and businesses, as well as healthy rivers and clean water.

After you watch the trailer of our new film, please share the film. With your help, we can protect communities from unsafe dams and damaging floods!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Lindloff
Senior Director, River Restoration
http://act.americanrivers.org
To contact American Rivers, email us at outreach@AmericanRivers.org.
American Rivers ©2010

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Your Watershed: Pick Up After Your Pet

Doodoo. Present. Berries. No matter the cutesy name given to the deposits left by our furry friends, pet waste is a nuisance and can be a significant environmental and health concern.
An encounter with pet waste is not only a quick way to ruin your favorite pair of shoes, but it can be a hazard to your health, as well. Dog waste contains organisms that can cause giardiasis, salmonellosis, toxocariasis, hookworm, and tapeworm, while organisms in cat waste can cause toxoplasmosis. Direct contact by touching pet waste, and indirect contact from insects, flies, or toys and balls that have contacted pet waste can carry and spread these organisms to other pets and people.

Aside from the ability to spread disease through contact, pet waste washed into our ditches, storm drains, creeks and ultimately the Russian River wreaks havoc on our environment. Pet waste decaying in our creeks and other water bodies causes eutrophication, a process in which algae grows rapidly. Rapid algae growth, also called an algal bloom, can suffocate a water body by blocking sunlight penetration, decreasing the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water, and, depending on the type of algae, can release toxins into the water. Low light levels, low oxygen content, and increased toxins kill aquatic plants and animals. Eutrophication is especially hazardous during the summer since the added heat of the sun and lack of fresh water flowing in to our waterways can increase the magnitude of these problems.

So, what can you do? Help your community and the environment by using the following practices.

• Pick up your pet’s waste on walks, in the parks, and at your home.
• Bring pet waste bags with you on outings so you are not caught unprepared. Newspaper bags and other leftover product bags come in handy.
• Throw pet waste in the trash. Do not put pet waste in the yard waste or recycling container.
• Do not flush cat waste or kitty litter down the toilet. Parasites in cat waste can survive the wastewater treatment process and end up in our waterways where they can harm sea otters and other aquatic life.
• It is generally acceptable to flush other pet wastes, but you should check with your utility department to make sure.
• Do not flush waste bags, puppy training pads, or newspapers down the toilet.
• Do not hose pet waste into the gutter. Use dry cleanup methods and throw the waste in the trash.

By doing your part to make sure you pick up after your pet, you are not only helping your community, but the environment as well. Thank you for helping to keep our Russian River watershed clean and healthy!

This article was authored by Corbin Johnson of Sonoma County Regional Parks and Eydie Tacata of the City of Rohnert Park on behalf of RRWA. RRWA (www.rrwatershed.org) is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration, and watershed enhancement.

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Sebastopol Raw Sewage Spill into Laguna de Santa Rosa

UPDATE January 21 - repair is complete - see below

This is an EMERGENCY message
from the City of Sebastopol.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - The City of Sebastopol has experienced a rupture of our main wastewater transmission pipe requiring us to shut down pumping to the treatment facility. City crews will be pumping and hauling wastewater generated in the City by truck to the treatment plant in Santa Rosa, until the wastewater main repairs are completed.

During the next 24-48 hours, residents are requested to limit indoor water use to a minimum, to minimize the amount of wastewater flow which must be trucked to the plant. In particular, use of dishwashers, clothes washers and showers should be curtailed during this period. If you have questions, call the Public Works Department at 823-5331 during normal business hours.
If you live in the City of Sebastopol, PLEASE immediately adopt strict conservation measures for all water use which might flow to the Laguna through the sewer system.

Thank you for your cooperation.

All residents that are downstream of the spill, from the city limits to the Russian River, 500 feet on both sides of the Laguna. (about 70 residents).

There has been an accidental release of wastewater into the Laguna De Santa Rosa surface waterway. If your water wellhead is under water, where contaminants can enter your well, do not use your water for the next 48 hours. Please avoid contact with the Laguna surface water as it may carry contaminants. If you have questions, call the Sebastopol Public Works Department at 823-5331, during normal business hours. Thank you for your cooperation.

UPDATE January 21 - repair is complete

January 21, 2010
At 11:37 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, the City or Sebastopol received a report of a broken sewer main in the Meadowlark Field east of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, north of Highway 12. Public Works and Engineering staff responded to the scene and confirmed a break in the sewer transmission main which carries wastewater from the City of Sebastopol to the Subregional sewer treatment plant on Llano Road. At the time it was discovered, water was flowing from the broken main across the field to the drainage way leading to the Laguna de Santa Rosa.

The City immediately made the required reports to State regulatory authorities and proceeded to arrange for containment of the spill and repairs to the main. City residents were notified to conserve water as much as possible until repairs could be made, to limit the amount of wastewater flowing to the system.

At the time of the incident, the Laguna was flooding out of its banks into the field, due to heavy rains earlier in the morning. On the recommendation of the North Coast Regional Board, all residents downstream of Sebastopol with water wells within 500 feet of the Laguna de Santa Rosa were also notified of the wastewater spill.

The City had a contractor on scene by 12:50 p.m. to excavate the broken main and make repairs. Pump trucks were also deployed at the site of the main break to contain the leaking wastewater to the extent possible, and near the City’s sewer pumping station on Morris Street. The pump station was shut down and wastewater flowing in the system was pumped into tanker trucks and hauled to the treatment plant during the afternoon and evening, to divert wastewater flow from the area of the main break. The contractor completed repairs to the transmission main by 9:54 p.m. and the pumping system was put back in service.

The City continues to investigate the cause of this rupture, and will be assembling additional reports from our engineers and field personnel.

Susan Kelly, Public Information Officer
City of Sebastopol
(707) 823-2151
---------------------------------

The Laguna de Santa is an important tributary to the Russian River. What happens in the Laguna gets carried downstream to the Russian River then out to sea. Accidents happen and the City of Sebastopol is responding quickly to this problem. What's important is that people need to realize that this is not just a Sebastopol problem - it impacts the entire waterway from the spill put to the sea and beyond.

The GOOD NEWS is that it is being taken care of as diligently as possible by Public Works. Residents who rely upon the Sebastopol Wastewater System need to realize how much they play a part in the success of this defense and clean-up. Life does not go on as usual during the time it takes to haul wastewater away and fix the problem. Flushing the least amount of water down the drain makes the job easier - and quicker - for Public Works.

In these heavy rains the Laguna will flush itself out as well - and take a lot of cow manure from the dairies that line the Laguna along with the human waste. Agricultural lands that line our waterways also dump many products into the water as rains wash across surface soil and soak through layers of soil, leaching nutrients of all kinds in the process. All of this material ends up in the Laguina, the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean.

More than likely the 70 homes that line the Laguna down stream from the spill have septic systems along with their water wells and these systems get flush with rainwater at this time of year as well. Are all of these systems up to code and as efficient as a sewage treatment plant? Are all of the septic systems that are used in homes along the Russian River up to code nand keeping their effluent from entering our waterways?


The wastewater/sewage spill in Sebastopol has a short-term solution/fix that will bring their wastewater back into compliance within a few days. The Laguna, Russian River and Pacific Ocean are vulnerable 365 days a year.

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