In August, the SWRCB published its proposed actions on further water appropriations from the Russian River and it's tributaries. The action started with a January 4, 1995 workshop for public comments and recommendations for course of action to address water right issues on the Russian River. On November 7, 1996, the SWRCB held a second workshop for agencies and groups to promote coordinated actions to protect the anadromous fish in the Russian River. 

The general consensus was that a comprehensive watershed management plan is needed to provide long-term improvement to the fishery resources of the Russian River. 

The DWR staff declared that for tributaries to the main stem of the Russian River, no application be approved that would allow diversion after March 31. In addition, staff recommended that the entire Russian River watershed be declared a Fully Appropriated Stream from April 1 to December 14 in accordance with Water Code Sections 1205, et seq. 

The DWR staff concluded that water is available for appropriation during the peak winter runoff season. Accordingly, staff recommended approval of applications that request wintertime storage or diversion of water, with the inclusion of the following terms designed to protect fishery resources:

1. Diversion Season from December 15 through March 31,
2. Minimum Flow: new permits would contain bypass flow requirements equal to 60% of the average annual unimpaired flow,
3. Maximum rate of diversion: new permits would contain terms that would limit the allowable rate of diversion,
4. Fish passage: new reservoirs would be constructed offstream or would have to provide fish ladders;
5. Fish screens; new permits would require installation of fish screens
6. Bypass facilities: on-stream reservoirs would have to include facilities to allow bypass of flow;
7. Compliance: new permits would include terms that would ensure compliance with the bypass terms described above. 

During the workshop, several agencies raised concerns that the existing instream flow requirements in the main stem of the Russian River are detrimental to coho salmon and steelhead trout due to a combination of high summer flows and high water temperatures. SCWA intends to submit an application to the SWRCB for 26,000 acre feet per annum (AFA) increase in diversion from the Russian River. Staff recommended that the issue of instream flows in the entire main stem of the Russian River be addressed in conjunction with the SWRCB review of the SCWA's application. During that review, the SWRCB could also consider the results of other on-going studies within the Russian River watershed that are currently conducted by other agencies.