Petitions Requesting Approval of Temporary Urgency Changes in Water Right Permits 12947A, 12949, 12950, and 16596 in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023040625
Public Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
Petitions Requesting Approval of Temporary Urgency Changes in Water Right Permits 12947A, 12949, 12950, and 16596 in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/22/2023
Document Description
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) controls and coordinates water supply releases from the Coyote Valley Dam and Warm Springs Dam projects in accordance with the minimum instream flow requirements that Decision 1610, adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in 1986, added to Sonoma Water’s water right permits. NMFS’ Russian River Biological Opinion requires changes to the Decision 1610 minimum instream flow requirements to enable alternative flow management scenarios that will increase available rearing habitat in Dry Creek and the upper Russian River, and provide a lower, closer-to-natural inflow to the estuary between late spring and early fall, thereby enhancing the potential for maintaining a seasonal freshwater lagoon that will likely support increased production of juvenile steelhead and salmon.
To meet the terms and conditions of the Russian River Biological Opinion and to avoid excessively high flows that could result in violations to the Biological Opinion’s Incidental Take Statement, Sonoma Water is filing temporary urgency change petitions with the SWRCB. During the period that the proposed temporary flow changes are in effect, Sonoma Water will also monitor water quality and fish, and collect and report information and data related to monitoring activities, as required by NMFS’ Russian River Biological Opinion.
Contact Information
Name
Connie Barton
Agency Name
Sonoma County Water Agency
Job Title
Senior Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Name
Ken Emanuel
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino, Sonoma
Regions
Citywide, Countywide
Other Location Info
The proposed action would occur in Mendocino and Sonoma counties at Lake Mendocino, in the Upper Russian River from Coyote Valley Dam/Lake Mendocino to the confluence with Dry Creek, and in the Lower Russian River from the confluence with Dry Creek to the Pacific Ocean. Communities and cities along the Russian River include Ukiah, Hopland, Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Forestville, Mirabel Park, Rio Nido, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Duncans Mills, and Jenner.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15307, 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed action is categorically exempt under the State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (i), 15307, and 15308.
County Clerks
Mendocino, Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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