HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2025-095 N.C.S. 07/07/2025
Resolution No. 2025-095 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2025-095 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EEL-RUSSIAN PROJECT AUTHORITY AND THE NEW
EEL-RUSSIAN FACILITY FOR REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY
WHEREAS, the majority of the City of Petaluma’s water supply is provided by Sonoma Water, which utilizes
the Russian River System to produce and deliver potable water for various communities; and
WHEREAS, residents within the Russian River Watershed rely on a sustainable and reliable regional water
supply to meet current and future needs; and
WHEREAS, the Russian River System benefits from the Potter Valley Project (PVP), which diverts water
from the Eel River into Lake Mendocino and ultimately into the upper Russian River; and
WHEREAS, the Potter Valley Project is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
and is permitted and licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); and
WHEREAS, the Potter Valley Project is instrumental in maintaining flows into Lake Mendocino and the
upper Russian River, and without it, the water supply in the Russian River System will be reduced; and
WHEREAS, PG&E announced its intent to surrender its FERC license and decommission the PVP, including
removal of diversion infrastructure, by submitting a Final Surrender Application to FERC by July 29, 2025; and
WHEREAS, in anticipation of the PVP's decommissioning, Sonoma Water, Sonoma County, the Mendocino
County Inland Water and Power Commission (MCIWPC), and the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT) formed
the Eel-Russian Project Authority (ERPA), a Joint Powers Authority established to construct and operate a
replacement diversion system known as the New Eel-Russian Facility (NERF); and
WHEREAS, the NERF is proposed to maintain seasonal diversions from the Eel River to the Russian River
in a manner that also supports ecological restoration and improved fish passage, aligned with the principles of the
Two-Basin Solution; and
WHEREAS, ERPA and its partners are negotiating a Water Diversion Agreement (WDA) with RVIT, the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and other stakeholders to establish diversion protocols,
environmental safeguards, adaptive management measures, and long-term funding for Eel River restoration and
stewardship; and
WHEREAS, failure to maintain these diversions would impact the drinking water supply for over 97,000
residents in Russian River communities, including Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which established the general rule for projects
concerning which it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a
significant effect on the environment as this Resolution is just adopting a letter of support and won’t in and of
itself result in any construction; and
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Resolution No. 2025-095 N.C.S. Page 2
WHEREAS, on November 20, 2023, the City Council of the City of Petaluma adopted Resolution Number
2023-171 supporting ERPA's initial proposal to PG&E, and continued regional support is necessary to advance
the project and protect long-term water supply reliability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. Declares that the above recitals are true and accurate and are incorporated herein as findings of this Resolution.
2. Supports the efforts of the Eel-Russian Project Authority in advancing the New Eel-Russian Facility project
as a key component of securing long-term water supply reliability, environmental sustainability, and regional
resilience.
3. Encourages active participation by the public and partner agencies in FERC’s public review process to ensure
local and regional interests are reflected in final decisions.
4. Authorizes staff to share this Resolution with ERPA, PG&E, FERC, and other relevant agencies, partners,
and stakeholders.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 7th day of July 2025,
by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: McDonnell, Barnacle, Cader Thompson, Nau, Quint, Shribbs
NOES: DeCarli
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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