To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Scott Orr (707) 565-1754, Steve Snow (707) 565-4443
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Roiling Permit and Extensions to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District for habitat enhancement to support rearing of juvenile salmon on Green Valley Creek; Permit Sonoma File No. ROI26-0001.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution issuing a roiling permit and necessary permit extensions to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District for a roiling permit for in-channel and off-channel habitat enhancement on Green Valley Creek, and making findings as a responsible agency pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. (4/5th vote required) (Fifth District)
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Executive Summary:
Work or operations in a river, stream, or channel which decrease the clarity of waterways requires a permit from the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Chapter 23 of the Sonoma County Code. The recommended resolution would issue a roiling permit to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District for the period July 7, 2026, through October 15, 2026, and make the required responsible agency findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Discussion:
Sonoma County Code Chapter 23 requires that an application for a permit be filed with the Board of Supervisors prior to the performance of certain prescribed work or operations in a river, stream, or channel which decrease the clarity of these waterways.
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District proposes to enhance the quantity and quality of habitat for salmonids and other native aquatic species through the construction of in-channel and off-channel habitat features including side channels, inset floodplains, alcoves, seasonal wetlands, large wood habitat structures, and native vegetation planting.
This project focuses on habitat enhancement and floodplain reconnection and builds on the success of earlier projects including the Thomas Creek Small Off-Channel Habitat Project constructed in 2015, Green Valley Creek Dam Removal in 2019, and the Iron Horse Off-Channel Habitat Enhancement Project constructed in summer of 2025. The project will be constructed immediately upstream of the Iron Horse Off-Channel Habitat Enhancement Project, resulting in nearly a mile of an interconnected mosaic of floodplain and off channel habitat for salmonid rearing and high flow refuge. This project will create approximately 5.1 acres of low velocity salmonid habitat during frequent winter storm inundation periods, which addresses a key habitat element critical to salmonid recovery in this reach of Green Valley Creek.
Staff recommends that the Board issue a roiling permit to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District. Staff notes that the applicant has also submitted an application for a Use Permit, UPE25-0065, for the project. Natural Resources staff are recommending approval of the use permit, and a hearing is scheduled for June 11, 2026, with the Zoning Administrator.
California Environmental Quality Act:
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), acting as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), certified the Statewide Restoration General Order Program Environmental Impact Report (CEQA Document) for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements for Restoration Projects Statewide Order (Order) on August 16, 2022 (State Clearing House No. 2019100230).
The Regional Water Board determined that the Project is within the scope of this SWRCB EIR, and filed a Notice of Determination pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines. The Notice of Determination finds that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment. Mitigation measures were made a condition of the approval of the project. The proposed permit requires that the applicant implement and adhere to the applicable mitigation measures.
Extensions:
The applicant anticipates that three 30-day extensions may be required, and staff recommends that the Board pre-approve these extensions. The roiling permit and extensions require a 4/5th approval vote by the Board pursuant to the requirements of the 1988 ballot measure that enacted the roiling permit requirements of Chapter 23.
Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
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Prior Board Actions:
Resolution Number 25-0244 for Roiling Permit and Extensions for Lower Green Valley Creek Off-Channel Habitat Enhancement Project at Iron Horse Vineyards
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This is an at-cost project for which project costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Not Applicable
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Board of Supervisors Resolution
Attachment 2: Roiling Permit Application No. ROI26-0001
Attachment 3: Location Map
Attachment 4: Notice of Applicability
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Not Applicable