Cotati Council Oct 28, 2025 Item 9.A Vote in Support of “Statement Of Interests “ Dear Mayor Ford, Vice Mayor Lemus, and Councilmembers Savage, Sparks, and Harvey, With the planning in process for the new Eel Russian Facility, I’m advocating for a more informed view of the Upper Russian River system.
When you consider and read Item 9.A, and the Sonoma Water “Statement of Interests” items 1, 2 and 16, please read the context described in the attached Sierra Club Redwood Chapter “Upper Russian River Position Paper”
The Sonoma Water Statement of Interests is after the staff report. <quote statement of interests> 1. Recognize that Russian River water supply is significantly different north and south of the Russian River confluence with Dry Creek (Confluence). Water supplies north of the Confluence are almost entirely reliant on the PVP diversion, runoff, and Lake Mendocino storage, while supplies south of the Confluence principally rely on Lake Sonoma storage<end quote> The Position Paper Page 2 shows the geographic setting and storage capacity of the Lakes, and why Lake Sonoma storage is the primary source of drinking water for all the Sonoma Contractors. <quote> 2 Recognize the continued diversion of water from the PVP and planned through the proposed New Eel-Russian Facility (NERF) into the Russian River watershed supports overall water supply reliability, fisheries, and operations of Lake Mendocino, as well as, particularly during dry periods, providing water volume to supplement releases from Lake Sonoma thereby preserving storage. <end quote> As the staff report says (para-phrasing it) Sonoma Water makes the case that continued flows from Lake Mendocino (with spring top-ups from the Eel River) would reduce the volume of water required for release from Lake Sonoma to maintain regulatory minimum summer flows in the lower river. A projection for this volume has not been provided but it would be helpful in determining the estimated benefit to water users in the Russian River basin.
The attached Paper provides details of water storage data and river miles to Dry Creek confluence south of Healdsburg. There is excellent multi-year storage in Lake Sonoma. Storage in Lake Mendocino benefits the Upper Russian River, and the challenge in dry years is likely modulated by the Hydrologic Index.
Location Storage AF River Miles to Dry Creek
Lake Sonoma Approx. 250,000 Approx. 14
Lake Mendocino Approx 110,000 Approx. 68
<quote> 16 Ask Sonoma Water and ERPA to request that the State Water Board enforce limits on water use, especially in the upper Russian River (north of the Dry Creek confluence), in order to maintain the benefits of any future Eel River Diversions. <end quote> The Position Paper suggest there are multiple options for water resiliency in the Upper Russian River watershed.
Thankyou for considering this item, Neil Hancock, Cotati .
PUBLIC COMMENT