Overview of theRussian River Watershed Associationpresented to

North Bay Watershed Association

Virginia Porter, RRWA Executive DirectorFebruary 4, 2011

Presentation Outline• RRWA Overview

– RRWA Facts– Watershed Facts– RRWA’s Role in

the Watershed– RRWA Structure

• RRWA Programs– Stormwater– Wastewater– Water

RRWA Facts• 9 Member Agencies

– 7 cities – County of Sonoma – SCWA

• Executive Director and staff contracted: Virginia Porter Consulting with RMC and ECON

• Formed in 2003

Ukiah

Cloverdale

Healdsburg

Windsor

Rohnert ParkSanta Rosa

Cotati

RRWA’s Mission

RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration and watershed enhancement.

Watershed Facts• 128 miles of Russian

River + many tributaries• ~1,500 sq. miles in

Sonoma & Mendocino Counties

• Two major reservoirs• Connected to Eel River

through Potter Valley Project

• Home to ~400,000 people

• Wide variety of land uses and habitats

RRWA’s Role in the Watershed

• RRWA exists to serve the interests of our member agencies

• RRWA meetings are open to the public • RRWA partners with other groups in the

watershed

RRWA’s Role in the Watershed

individual citizens

regulatory agencies

regional partners

local non-profits

RRWA Structure• Board of Directors - member agency elected officials and

managers• Technical Working Groups – member agency staff• Executive Director

– Virginia Porter • RRWA staff

– RMC – Phoebe Grow – ECON – Andy Rogers and Sara Lahnam

• Administrative Agency - City of Ukiah• Annual Work Plan

– Executive Director Services– General Benefit Projects– Special Benefit Projects

• Budget – 100% from member agencies

RRWA Programs - Examples• Stormwater Awareness/NPDES Permit Support• Stormwater Training – Construction QSP/QSD• Residential Fats, Oils and Grease Control• Mercury Pollution Prevention• Safe Medicine Disposal• Trash Program• Russian River Friendly Landscape Guidelines• Liaison with Regional Board – TMDL, permits• Grants & Funding Support - IRWMP• Outreach and Education

Stormwater Awareness/NPDES Permit Support

RRWA Stormwater Training

Trash Program – Stormwater permit compliance

2009 Storm Water and Watershed Awareness Survey

• Baseline survey conducted in 2005• Update and comparison

to 2005 baseline survey• Provide statistically valid results

– Unincorporated Sonoma County– Healdsburg– Windsor– Rohnert Park

Stormwater SurveyResearch Purpose & Objectives

Three informational components1. Resident behavior and knowledge

• Car washing• Motor oil disposal• Applying yard fertilizer• Yard waste disposal• Dog waste disposal• Pool & spa maintenance

2. Resident knowledge ofwatershed area

3. Demographics

Regional Board Liaison• Quarterly meetings with RWQCB

– RRWA Board and staff– RWQCB EO and staff

• Regular attendance at meetings• Comment letters on permits and project• Collaboration with staff• Coordination on training and programs

– QSP/QSD– Russian River-Friendly Landscape

Guidelines

Comment Letters - Santa Rosa Urban Water Recycling

Comment Letters – Healdsburg Wastewater/Reclamation Permit

• Letter submitted September 17, 2010• Permit approved with some changes

October 28, 2010

Russian River Total Maximum Daily Load

(TMDL)

Residential FOG Source Control#1 culprit in

causing sanitarysewer overflows!

Purpose:Targeted outreach to areas experiencing sanitary sewer overflows due to blockages caused by buildup of fats, oils and grease in the lines

Mercury Pollution Prevention• Presentation to

student dental assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College

• Coordination with SCWMA on Recycling Guide

• Thermometer Exchange (over 1,500 collected!)

Safe Medicine Disposal

• Pharmacy and law enforcement office drop-off locations for unused/unwanted medication

• 30 drop off locations in the watershed• RRWA coordinates and promotes

Safe Medicine Disposal • Bus ads up in Sonoma

Co. Transit buses• Radio ad campaign• Recycling guide

feature

Russian River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines

RRFLG Launch Event – Nov. 16,2010

Board Meetings and Functions

Board Workshop Panel Presentation – Potter Valley Project – 9/2010

Panelists:• William Hearn - NMFS • Jeffrey Jahn– NMFS• Don Seymour – SCWA • Paul Kubicek – PG&E • Craig Geldard - PG&E• Janet Pauli – MCIWMP• David Keller – Friends of the Eel River • Guinness McFadden – Potter Valley farmer

Grants & Funding Support• North Coast IRWMP

– MOMU Signatory– Hosted RR area project

prioritization meeting– RRWA regional project

development• Other funding source

tracking

Outreach Material Bulk Order

• Door hangers/grease scrapers

• Stormdrain labels• Creek identification signs• Cost savings through

bulk purchase

Outreach and Education

• Environmental Column

• Student Video Contest

• RRWA Website • Sponsorship of

clean-up events

Upper Russian River Cleanups

New Programs in FY 11-12

• Agricultural Recycled Water Irrigation Standards – with WateReuse and RWQCB

• Laguna TMDL collaboration and comments

• Watershed map page on web site – Google Maps based

Benefits of Association Approach• Sharing resources

– Costs– Technical expertise– Staff

• Regional consistency – Methods – Message

• Watershed perspective – Expanded roll for each project

Thank you!

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