Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of objective implementation status (achievements or progress over last year; significant delays or issues, etc.)

• The Army Corps of Engineer’s O&M Manual update has experienced some delay due to an effort to modify the RFQ to ensure that the list of consultants can be used for other stream/river channel assessment, maintenance, and flood control work. The consultant RFQ will close at the end of 2023. The Project objective is to identify and develop scenarios that can be used by Sonoma Water for deciding the level of revisions or amendment needed for the O&M Manual update.
• Sonoma Water will continue to facilitate a Russian River Water Forum (RRWF) comprised of interested parties in the Russian River and Eel River basins to inform the development of a broadly-supported solution for future ownership and operation of the Potter Valley Project (PVP) water diversion. The forum will include an opportunity to collaborate on dam safety issues, the impacts of climate change, and flood protection in the Russian River basin. The group will continue to explore governance options for an entity that would eventually own and operate the Potter Valley Project water diversion, and likely support flood protection in the area.

Key milestone update (include relevant metrics, if applicable)

• RFQ for O&M Manual was released and closes 12/20/23. Consultant will be selected by early 2024. The consultant will identify maintenance scenarios for the O&M manual and initiate a feasibility study for potential water resource management improvements for the Alexander Valley.
• In December 2023, the Board authorized Sonoma Water’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Kearns & West, Inc., in a form approved by County Counsel, for public policy facilitation services related to the Russian River Water Forum Phase II through June 20, 2024, in the not-to-exceed amount of $400,000.

Coordination and partnership update

• The Russian River Water Forum continues to provide an opportunity for stakeholders in the Russian River basin to coordinate and partner around water resiliency in the region. The group will continue to conduct outreach and convene public meetings at key milestones to share information and gather input.

Community, equity and climate update

• One of the alternative scenarios for the O&M Manual update will incorporate future climate analysis to investigate the range of possible flood-related outcomes.
• Russian River Water Forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate on how to prepare the basin for the impacts of climate change, including extreme flooding.
• Through its outreach and education efforts the Russian River Water Forum will host public meetings to promote community engagement and equity.

Funding narrative (If this objective received Strategic Plan funding in year 1 or year 2, please provide a status of expenditures to date.)

• No changes for O&M Manual: Last year’s update still holds true – Sonoma Water’s efforts associated with updating the O&M Manual could be funded through a re-establishment of the Coyote Valley Tax Override.
• In December 2023, the Board authorized Sonoma Water’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Kearns & West, Inc., in a form approved by County Counsel, for public policy facilitation services related to the Russian River Water Forum Phase II through June 20, 2024, in the not-to-exceed amount of $400,000.