Water management forum set for Oct. 30

There will be a public workshop to discuss strategic management of water resources in Sonoma Valley from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building.

The majority of the workshop will be spent in small, breakout groups, which will allow community members to share their concerns and solutions directly with local Sonoma Valley water resource organizations, such as the Sonoma Ecology Center, the Sonoma Resource Conservation District, the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma County Water Agency.

Breakout groups will provide an opportunity to discuss concerns and offer possible solutions for topics including: projects that capture storm water and recharge groundwater, creeks, flooding, community engagement, water conservation and the drought, and funding options.

“This is a forum to share your priorities and vision for how water is managed in Sonoma Valley,” said Richard Dale, executive director of the Sonoma Ecology Center. “We hope this event spurs a community conversation about how water issues are connected, and the tools we can use to help realize our shared goals.”

First District Supervisor and water agency director Susan Gorin agreed.

“This workshop is an opportunity to share solutions to the watershed challenges that face Sonoma Valley, and will provide a chance for in-depth discussions of  projects that create healthy creeks, a sustainable groundwater supply, or provide flood control benefits,” she said. “Our water system is connected, and we need to create management techniques that take an integrated approach to creating a vibrant Sonoma Valley.”

The workshop is hosted Sonoma Valley water resource management agencies and organizations, including the Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, City of Sonoma and Sonoma County Water Agency.

The Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building is located at 126 First St. W., Sonoma.

For more information about the workshop contact Jennifer Larocque at 547-1947 or Jennifer.Larocque@scwa.ca.gov.