To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Brad Sherwood 707-547-1900, Stephen Maples 707-526-5379
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Russian River Watershed Resiliency Program Support
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., in substantially the form presented to this Board, for Russian River Watershed resiliency program support services from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $150,000
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Executive Summary:
The Russian River watershed and Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) were selected by the California State Department of Water Resources (DWR) to receive grant funds to participate in a pilot Watershed Resilience Program (Program) that will build upon DWR’s Integrated Regional Water Management Program, focusing on climate vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, watershed-based planning, multi-sector collaboration, and equity and inclusiveness. Under this grant, a Watershed Resilience Plan (Project) was developed for the Russian River watershed and Sonoma Water’s service area and completed in April 2026. This item seeks authority to enter into an agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., for assistance in supporting the next phase of the Project.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
DWR seeks to better understand the vulnerabilities, affected communities, and strategies to enhance resiliency in watersheds throughout the state of California through comprehensive and strategic engagement with communities - including Tribes and frontline communities - to better understand risks, support decisions, and identify solutions. In 2024, DWR initiated the Program with selected entities representing five watersheds in the state of California. These watersheds include the American River Watershed, Calaveras River Watershed, Pajaro River Watershed, Russian River Watershed, and Ventura River Watershed.
The Program began as part of the 2023 California Water Plan. The Program emphasizes the need to assess climate risks at the watershed scale and develop strategies that address those challenges through collaboration and integrated solutions. It builds on the foundation of the Integrated Regional Water Management Program, deepening its focus on climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, watershed-scale coordination, and equity.
The Program also prioritizes cross-sector collaboration across water supply, flood management, groundwater, water quality, forest and fire resilience, ecosystems, and land use. Initial funding from the 2021 and 2022 Budget Acts enabled DWR to launch five two-year pilot planning projects. These pilots, including the Russian River watershed, are applying and testing the watershed resilience approach in diverse regions across the state, laying the groundwork for future efforts.
Sonoma Water was selected to participate in the Program to develop the Project that includes the Russian River watershed and Sonoma Water’s water delivery areas. The initial phase of the Project was completed in April 2026. During the second phase, the watershed network will refine resilience strategies identified in the Project and identify priority projects for anticipated grant funding opportunities.
SELECTION PROCESS
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (Consultant) was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Consultant was selected for the subject work because of its extensive experience working on projects in the Russian River watershed, most notably the Sonoma Water Climate Adaptation Plan and Regional Water Supply Resiliency Study. Additionally, Consultant has extensive experience and expertise in the fields of climate science and climate resiliency planning.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Consultant will help Sonoma Water manage watershed network and tribal engagement, refine recommended strategies, provide project development and prioritization, and support implementation of a funding strategy.
The cost of services will not exceed $150,000. This agreement covers services rendered from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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 term end date and by executing an agreement amendment.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Assess risk and uncertainty about climate change. Develop and take actions that improve resiliency and sustainability.
Strategy: Develop and implement practices to understand and minimize vulnerability to climate change impacts and natural disasters.
Recognizing the urgency posed by climate change and its evolving challenges, DWR aims to enhance regional climate resilience through integrated watershed management. Strategic investments are essential to support planning and projects at the watershed scale, enabling communities, including Tribal and frontline communities, to respond and effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
02/25/2025 Board approved First Amended and Restated Agreement for Russian River Watershed Resiliency Study with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., in the amount of $1,593,833, with no change in scope or end date of August 30, 2026.
04/30/2024 Adopted resolution authorizing the execution of a grant agreement between Sonoma Water and State of California Department of Water Resources to accept $2,000,000 in grant funds for the development of a resiliency plan for the Russian River Watershed and portions of Sonoma Water’s service area.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$150,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$150,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$150,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$150,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $150,000 is available from FY 2026/2027 appropriations for the Russian River Projects fund. No additional appropriation is required.
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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:
Attachment 1: Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
Attachment 2: Consultant Selection Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.