April 23, 2001 - Section 7 (of Endangered Species Act) Workshop Session, in Petaluma notes by a Concerned Citizen [Section 7 process, currently in its 3rd year, is the result of an MOU among National Marine Fisheries Service, Sonoma County Water Agency and US Army Corps of Engineers, established to develop a local plan to remedy the catastrophic decline of the Russian River watershed's native Coho Salmon and Steelhead population.] The presentation was a series of slides with narration by the SCWA staff. On the whole it was a good explanation of what SCWA is doing in concert with the COE and NMFS. But the elephant in the room that was not addressed is the fact that all this restoration is needed because of negligence on the part of SCWA( aka BOS ) . Also left unsaid is the fact that SCWA Directors continue to allow gravel mining, removal of riparian cover, armoring of the river banks and sedimentation of the creeks. It was noted that 95% of the RR watershed is in private hands, not controlled by SCWA, however the actions of private individuals who own the land are subject to control by the BOS. The audience was allowed public comment after the Council asked their questions, but the audience was not permitted to question the SCWA staff. Sect. 7 states that "Federal agencies cannot implement, fund or issue permits for actions that could jeopardize a listed species or critical habitat". But the COE could build Coyote and Warm Springs Dams. I guess a county agency such as the BOS is exempt when they continue to allow gravel mining, hillside vineyards and erect a rubber dam across the river for 9 months of the year. Jane Christensen noted in her presentation of NMFS Draft Biological Assessment that among the alternatives was a direct line from Warm Springs and a Surface Water Treatment Plant. So that item is still out there hanging in the breeze, or lurking in the wings. MMWD had that final reports from the consultants on Conservation and Recycling. There were some good proposals for both, but there were also drawbacks such as money, time and public acceptance. The main proposal for conservation, which accounted for 50% of the anticipated savings was a "surcharge" on residents who did not comply with BMP such as low flow toilets, front loading washers and reduced irrigation. But this has been tried in SF briefly , then dropped because of difficulty with auditing compliance. The recycling plan that showed the most savings called for 'satellite treatment plants' in local areas to serve golf courses and parks. But try to sell residents of Peacock Gap on the concept of a sewage treatment plant in their neighborhood. The MMWD board will hold at least two meetings on these issues now that the public has the reports.