Sonoma and Mendocino counties unite with Round Valley Indian tribes to preserve vital water resources
Sonoma County, in a pivotal collaboration with Mendocino County and the Round Valley Indian Tribes, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard a crucial water supply for the region. This move comes as the counties join forces under the newly established Eel-Russian Project Authority.
The Board of Supervisors' recent decision to join the Eel-Russian Project Authority marks a significant step in regional water management. This new entity is tasked with the construction, ownership, and operation of a facility dedicated to continuing the century-old practice of diverting water from the Eel River into the Russian River. This diversion has been instrumental in sustaining agriculture, supporting residential needs, and maintaining aquatic ecosystems in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
The urgency of this initiative has been heightened by Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) plans to decommission the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project. This project currently channels water into the Russian River via a tunnel near Cape Horn Dam. The future of this crucial water diversion is now in the hands of the Eel-Russian Project Authority, which holds the legal standing to negotiate over the fate of the Potter Valley project as PG&E proceeds with its decommissioning.
As part of the decommissioning process, PG&E is considering either a rapid or phased removal of Scott Dam, with the future of Cape Horn Dam also under evaluation. Several proposals are on the table, including the establishment of a new diversion facility at Cape Horn Dam to continue channeling water to the Russian River. This decision is pivotal in determining the future water management and ecological health of both the Eel and Russian River basins.
The Eel-Russian Project Authority comprises a five-member board with representatives from Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma Water, County of Sonoma, and the Round Valley Indian Tribes. This diverse representation underscores the collaborative nature of the project and the shared commitment to finding a solution that benefits all stakeholders.
The project has garnered support from various organizations, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County, California Trout, and Trout Unlimited. The emphasis is on a solution that balances the water needs of the region with the ecological health of the Eel River, particularly its fish populations. Current studies are exploring options like a pump station or a roughened channel to facilitate this balance.
The initiative highlights the region's proactive approach to addressing water supply challenges in an era of increasing environmental uncertainty. The collaboration between the counties and the Round Valley Indian Tribes represents a step towards sustainable water management, ensuring the region's agricultural vitality and ecological balance for years to come.
