Proposed Professional Services
Agreement - Sonoma Resource
Conservation District
Contract Review Subcommittee
August 31, 2026
Heather Johnson, Environmental Services Officer
1 Regulatory & Program Background
• The City’s NPDES permit includes a final
Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitation
for phosphorus.
• The permit requires no net loading of total
phosphorus to water bodies within the
Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed.
• The Water Quality Trading Framework
provides the mechanism for compliance
through nutrient offset credits generated
by approved projects.
3 Existing Credit Generating Projects
Pepperwood Preserve
Erosion Control Best Management Practices
Beretta Dairy
Agricultural Best Management Practices
Laguna Reaches 1 and 2
Legacy sediment and organic matter
removal and hydraulic modifications
Colgan Creek Reaches 1 and 2
Legacy sediment and organic matter removal
Why the Contract is Needed
• Verify that existing credit-generating
projects remain implemented and
maintained in accordance with approved
project plans.
• Quantify and document credits generated
for annual regulatory reporting.
• Identify and develop additional nutrient
offset projects to maintain adequate
credits for ongoing permit compliance.
Request for Proposals
• Proposal solicited on PlanetBids: April 28, 2026.
• Viewable by general public with 907 vendors notified. • Proposal deadline: June 5, 2026.
• One proposal was received.
• Proposal was submitted by Sonoma Resource Conservation District. • The proposal was evaluated based on qualifications, experience, understanding of the WQTF, approach, and ability to meet required deliverables and schedule.
5 Recommended Consultant – Sonoma RCD
• Has conducted annual credit verification monitoring and reporting for the City’s program since inception.
• Familiar with the City’s existing projects, crediting methodologies, and reporting requirements.
• Technical expertise across a range of watershed BMPs. • Established relationships with landowners throughout Sonoma County.
• Demonstrated record of timely, quality monitoring reports and effective coordination with City staff.
6 Recommendation
It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the Contract Review Subcommittee recommend the Board of Public Utilities award a Professional Services Agreement to Sonoma Resource Conservation District, to provide technical support, credit verification monitoring, and project development support for the City of Santa Rosa’s Implementation of the Water Quality Trading Framework for the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed. The contract amount is not to exceed $132,550.50.
7 Questions?
8