eNewsletter | March Edition
In this month's edition:

  • Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance Project
  • RCD team welcomes new Engineer
  • GSA community meetings in March
  • We're hiring a Forestry Technician!
  • Sonoma Water Drought Town Hall tonight
What's New at Your RCD
Community collaboration for watershed health and resiliency
Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance Project
Project location
The rural areas of West Sonoma County are a great example of what makes our county so special. It’s important that we steward these watersheds for future generations of both people and fish. The Sonoma County Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance project areas focused on residential properties in three key coastal watersheds: Gualala River, Austin Creek, and Russian Gulch. These three coastal watersheds provide important habitat for endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout. Their streams often go dry or have critically low flows during the summer months, providing a survival risk to juvenile salmonids that remain in the streams over the summer. 

Community investment
The Sonoma County Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance project was funded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) and was managed by the Sonoma RCD, with the support of our community liaisons. With the dedication of our contractors and coastal community members we were able to develop 21 rainwater catchment systems as an alternative water source, leaving more water in the creeks and ground for the endangered Central California Coast coho salmon. Streamflow in small creeks and tributaries is critical for juvenile fish, which remain in the creeks during the hot summer months. Direct diversions from creeks, springs, and groundwater pumping draw from the same watersheds that juvenile coho rely on to survive. 

Between 2018 and 2021, the Coastal Rainwater project installed 48 rainwater catchment tanks, providing 240,000 gallons of rainwater storage for 21 landowners across these three watersheds. The project participants agreed to use the water during the driest summer months, and to reduce their existing water source use by the same amount, for a period of 20 years. 

"The people involved in this project are what make it so special. Everyone knows everyone, from our local contractor, Charles Hope, to our local project coordinator, Judy Rosales, to the participating landowners; everyone has a personal connection and helps take care of one another out in rural West County."

Jessica Pollitz, Engineer
Sonoma RCD
The impact
The rainwater catchment tanks will collect rainwater off roofs during the winter, to be used during the summer months for irrigation and other outdoor non-potable uses. A total of 240,000 gallons of water will now remain in the watersheds annually which adds up to 4.8 million gallons of water over the 20-year life of the project. The rainwater will offset the existing water source (well, spring, or creek) during the driest time of year, leaving this water in the aquifers and streams when it is most needed.

The project also provides rural residents with additional water security during the uncertain times of drought and climate change that our communities face now and in the future. In addition to offsetting pumping and encouraging landowners to be more aware of their water use, the stored water may also be used for fire protection, an invaluable resource in our county.

Since the completion of this grant on the coast, the RCD has secured two additional contracts to support similar work in the Mark West and Mill Creek watersheds because of the success of this project.

Thank you to the Coastal Community for your partnership and willingness to work towards water security for both fish and people and to the Wildlife Conservation Board for their investment. This work would not have been possible without your dedication.
Project video and supplemental resources
The first video was developed to highlight the Sonoma County Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance Project, funded by California Wildlife Conservation Board and managed by Sonoma RCD:
The second is a brief video covering the basic operation and maintenance of typical rainwater catchment systems. This video was produced as part of the Sonoma County Coastal Rainwater Catchment and Forbearance Project, funded by California Wildlife Conservation Board. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boyUkU_TocU&t=2s
 
Please view and download our Operation and Maintenance Document for rainwater catchment systems: Typical Rainwater Catchment Operation & Maintenance Guidance
Welcome to the team, Tom!
Tom Hammond is the newest member of our team. Tom is a Professional Engineer registered in California for Agricultural and Civil Engineering. In his role as an RCD Engineer he will provide services to the Sonoma, Gold Ridge and Marin RCD’s. Tom graduated from Cal Poly, SLO in Bioresrouces and Ag Engineering. He has been practicing engineering in Sonoma County since 2007. In that time he has worked for public municipalities, private consulting firms, and private businesses providing solutions for water, power, and soil systems. Tom grew up in Sonoma County and is enjoying raising his family here as well. We're elated to welcome Tom to the RCD!
Community Engagement
TEAM program back on the land - 3rd and 4th grade classes!
The Sonoma and Gold Ridge RCDs are very excited to announce in-person 3rd and 4th grade field trips coming up in Spring 2022! In partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space), the TEAM program invites elementary students to experience our diverse agricultural landscapes and ecosystems of Sonoma County. See our TEAM flyer detailing our spring 2022 field trip lineup, learn how to sign-up, and where to submit a request for transportation reimbursement.

For more details visit our TEAM program webpage here. Please contact Christine Kuehn, Education and Communications Manager at ckuehn@sonomarcd.org if you are interested in participating or learning more. There is no charge for these field trips, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
GSA Rate and Fee Study community meetings
Shared from Sonoma Water
The Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and Petaluma Valley GSAs are planning community meetings for basin specific Rate and Fee Studies.
 
The purpose of the meetings is to briefly describe the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the GSP findings, the need for funding, the proposed fee options, and to receive community feedback. The community meetings will be held virtually from 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
 
Tuesday, March 22 – Santa Rosa Plain GSA Rate and Fee Study community meeting
 
Tuesday, March 29 – Sonoma Valley GSA Rate and Fee Study community meeting
 
Wednesday, March 30 - Petaluma Valley Rate and Fee community meeting
Workshops | Resources | Careers
Forestry Technician Job Announcement



The Forestry Technician position offers an exciting opportunity to apply forestry principles and project management skills to meaningful and impactful conservation work in some of California’s most beautiful landscapes. Under the direct supervision of the RCD Forester, the Forestry Technician will assist in the development of LandSmart Forest Management Plans, including forest inventory, road assessments, mapping, and biological assessment. The Forestry Technician will also assist the RCD Forester with planning and implementation of wildland fuels reduction projects. This position allows for a diverse workload both in the office and the field.
Sonoma Water Event
Join Virtual Drought Town Hall 

March 10th | 6PM | Virtual
Sonoma Water will host a virtual town hall focused on continued drought conditions in the Russian River watershed. Speakers will include representatives from Sonoma Water, California Department of Water Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Rosa Water, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, and State Water Resources Control Board.
 
Speakers will discuss ongoing drought conditions, water supply management efforts, and conservation measures.
 
Zoom Passcode: 864640
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