Protecting Our Water

[Zeno Swijtink]

Protecting Our Water

Russian River Watershed Protection Committee (RRWPC) is a nonprofit corporation that has been advocating for Russian River protections since 1980. We cover West County and Santa Rosa wastewater issues, water supply, river flow and pollution issues.

We are one of the oldest advocacy groups in the County and rely on our supporters for all funding. Because we never take funds from City, County, or State agencies, we are a truly independent voice for river supporters.

RRWPC is currently tracking these issues:

• Santa Rosa’s consideration of a direct discharge immediately downstream of Steelhead Beach;

• The County and State consideration of making “low flow” a permanent summer condition over the coming years;

• The Russian River County Sanitation District 32 mile irrigation pipeline as part of the regionalization of the Guerneville treatment plant;

• North Coast Regional Board’s consideration of a Basin Plan Amendment to eliminate the summer discharge prohibition to allow “incidental discharges” during the recreation season.

RRWPC attends meetings; provides testimony at hearings; studies documentation, and keeps our supporters informed. We also provide target letters to be signed and sent to key officials when important decisions are at stake.

There are several issues pending that are, or should be of great concern to lower river residents and business owners.

• Santa Rosa is still considering a direct discharge immediately downstream of Steelhead Beach.

• The County and State will be considering making “low flow” a permanent condition in summer over the coming years.

• The Russian River County Sanitation District is contemplating a 32 mile irrigation pipeline down River Rd. from Guerneville to the Graton Area and back again via Highway 116.

• The City of Santa Rosa is pushing the North Coast Regional Board to eliminate the summer wastewater discharge prohibition so they can be allowed “incidental discharges” with their wastewater irrigation project.

We are now looking to expand our supporter base, since our work load and expenses have expanded considerably in the last year and we need more help. For example, we may need to file a legal action on the pipeline project in the coming year. We are also party to the lawsuit on the Urban Water Management Plan. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

[Zeno Swijtink]

Protecting Our Water

Russian River Watershed Protection Committee (RRWPC) is a nonprofit corporation that has been advocating for Russian River protections since 1980. We cover West County and Santa Rosa wastewater issues, water supply, river flow and pollution issues.

I failed to mention that this is a re-iteration, a cut and paste job, of a byline in this month's West County Gazette.

https://www.westcountygazette.com/index.html