Russian River Biological Assessment and Essential Fish Habitat Assessment

Sonoma Water’s operation and maintenance include flood control and water supply operations, estuary and hatchery management, channel maintenance, and associated monitoring and restoration. These activities require federal oversight to ensure operations adhere to the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA). The Russian River is home to a diverse assemblage of protected fish species including Central California Coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Central California Coast Coho salmon (O. kisutsch), Longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), and California Coastal Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha).

ESA is working with Sonoma Water, and their partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to develop a Biological Assessment characterizing the state of the Russian River watershed and analyzing effects from their operations on Federally-protected species. Sonoma Water, with its various partners, have a wide range of responsibilities in the Russian River watershed including flood control and water supply operations, estuary and hatchery management, channel maintenance, and associated monitoring and restoration. ESA is currently assisting Sonoma Water on their consultation with NMFS which will result in a new 10-year Biological Opinion to cover their operations into the future.

In tandem with the Federal Endangered Species Act consultation, ESA is also assisting Sonoma Water with the development of an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for coverage under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).