In 2010, the State Water Board required comment letters protesting low flow project before it was fully formulated. Many responded by sending in sample comment letters provided by RRWPC. About a month ago the State Board sent out letters rescinding the former comment letters and asking for new protest letters even before EIR process is complete. The State Water Board has the final say on permanent flow reductions. If you don’t get a letter in by Nov. 22, 2016, you will be unable to protest. The protest letter should follow certain guidelines and a sample letter provided follow those guidelines. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAKE TWO COPIES OF THE LETTER. SEND ONE TO THE STATE AND ONE TO SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY attn. Todd Schram (address on letter).
Since the State Water Board will ultimately be making the final decision on this project, we believe it is very important to get signed letters in with a copy to the Water Agency saying you protest low flow, whether or not you received the recent State’s letter. We provide a sample target letter here. Please download letter, sign them, and send to the State Board. The State letter also went to those on our mailing list, but after signing, a copy must go to Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA). Feel free to add your own concerns on the back of the letter. If you are able to send copies to RRWPC at P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, 95446, we would appreciate it. Protest letters must be received by State and Water Agency by 4:30 pm on November 22, 2016. A copy of your letter must be mailed to SCWA. (Address on letter.)
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON RUSSIAN RIVER LOW FLOW EIR
NEW PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED:
First, we were extremely happy to learn that Supervisors extended comment period for the Fish Flow EIR to Feb. 14, 2017 and a new hearing will be held on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016, at 6:00 PM at Guerneville Vets Building (16255 First St at Church St.) This will be the only hearing (but for one in Cloverdale the day before) on the Fish Flow EIR until after comments are received and responded to by staff and the Final EIR is released, probably sometime next spring or summer. We will keep you informed.
Please plan to attend this hearing. Supervisor Carrillo will preside and hearing will probably be recorded. It is critical that a lot of people turn out.
As for public comments on the EIR, RRWPC will provide sample letters at a later date, but long before they are due, when we have completed our document review.
RRWPC HIRES ATTORNEY TO WRITE COMMENTS ON THIS PROJECT TO BOTH AGENCIES:
RRWPC is in need of donations to cover attorney’s fees. You are welcome to use PayPal on our website (www.rrwpc.org ) or send check to RRWPC, P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446. We are grateful for all donations.