To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1911, Ryan Pedrotti 707-328-0890
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Watersheds Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Sonoma Resource Conservation District, in substantially the form presented to this Board, for funding of Sonoma Resource Conservation District’s work in landowner outreach and funding development for watershed health and habitat restoration through October 31, 2028, in the not-to-exceed amount of $150,000.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) proposes to fund Sonoma Resource Conservation District (Sonoma RCD) for its work in conducting landowner outreach activities and assistance, providing educational materials to sub-watershed groups and residents in the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds, and providing funding development for watershed health and habitat restoration.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water has a long history of partnership with Gold Ridge, Southern Sonoma, and Sotoyome Resource Conservation Districts. In 2013, Sotoyome Resource Conservation District and Southern Sonoma Resource Conservation District combined to become Sonoma RCD. These resource conservation districts provide technical and landowner assistance, public education and information, watershed stewardship, watershed monitoring, interagency coordination, resource enhancement, and planning assistance to local groups to help improve land management and restore fish habitat. The purpose of these partnerships is to expand knowledge on the critical connection between landowner activities and the impacts on local creeks, streams and other water bodies.
Sonoma Water and Sonoma RCD have previously entered into agreements for funding of cooperative Sonoma County Watershed programs. The most recent agreement expired on August 31, 2025. Under the proposed agreement, Sonoma RCD will conduct landowner outreach activities and assistance; provide educational materials to sub-watershed groups and residents in the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds; and provide funding development for watershed health and habitat restoration for landowners.
It is in the interest of Sonoma Water to work with and provide funding for Sonoma RCD to improve Sonoma Water's understanding of watershed conditions; create opportunities to educate agricultural and urban communities about key issues, including groundwater, water conservation, storm water and rainwater catchment, and development of habitat enhancement; and to enhance Sonoma Water's goals of protecting water quality, improving watershed health, and building community partnerships.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Sonoma RCD will conduct landowner outreach activities and assistance, provide educational materials to sub-watershed groups and residents in the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds, and provide funding development for watershed health and habitat restoration.
The cost of services will not exceed $150,000. This agreement covers services rendered from October 1, 2025, to October 31, 2028.
Through the proposed agreement, the General Manager will be delegated the authority to approve a written amendment to extend the term of the agreement for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date and by executing an agreement amendment.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
This item directly supports Sonoma Water’s Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following goal, strategy, and action item.
Goal: 6. Community Engagement - Engage with the community to build understanding, trust, and support for projects and programs.
Strategy: 6.2 Build collaborative partnerships, trust, and long-term relationships with the community through proactive communication and education.
Action Item: 6.2.1 Continue leveraging existing partnerships, advisory groups, and employees throughout the agency to educate the community about infrastructure vulnerabilities, needs, and improvements.
Sonoma RCD’s outreach and educational activities will create opportunities to educate agricultural and urban communities about key issues, including groundwater, water conservation, storm water and rainwater catchment, and development of habitat enhancement; and to enhance Sonoma Water's goals of protecting water quality, improving watershed health, and building community partnerships.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
8/22/2023: Board approved the Second Amended and Restated Agreement for Funding of Sonoma County Watersheds Program with Sonoma RCD. New not-to-exceed agreement total of $360,000 and end date of August 31, 2025.
7/13/2021: Board approved the First Amended Agreement for Funding of Sonoma County Watersheds Program with Sonoma RCD. New not-to-exceed agreement total of $240,000 and end date of August 31, 2023.
9/17/2019: Board approved Agreement for funding of the Sonoma County Watersheds Program with Sonoma RCD through August 31, 2021, in the not-to-exceed amount of $120,000 for landowner outreach activities and funding development for watershed health and habitat restoration.
5/13/2013: Board approved Agreement for Funding of Sotoyome's (now Sonoma RCD) Program (2013/2015) and for Mill Creek assessment between Sonoma Water and Sotoyome, a two-year agreement in the amount of $92,109.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
|
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State/Federal |
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|
|
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Fees/Other |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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|
|
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Total Sources |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $50,000 is available from FY 2025/2026 appropriations for the Sustainability fund. Future appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Draft Agreement for Funding of Sonoma County Watersheds Program
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.