As it has done in the past two years, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) recently issued an order lowering minimum flow requirements in the Russian River this summer. The SWRCB order responds to a Temporary Urgency Change Petition that was filed in April by the Sonoma County Water Agency.
A Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service in September 2008 requires the Water Agency to annually ask the state board to reduce flow requirements in the river. Slowing the velocity of water during the summer improves conditions for young steelhead that live in the Russian River before migrating to the ocean.
As required by the Biological Opinion (see below), the order requires minimum flows of 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the river above Dry Creek and 70 cfs in the lower river (with the understanding that the Water Agency will typically maintain approximately 85 cfs in the lower river to provide an operational buffer). While the order is in effect from June 1 to October 15, there will be little noticeable decrease in flows immediately due to the order.
“With so much water coming into the river from recent storms, the Water Agency isn’t currently controlling the majority of the flow,” said Pam Jeane, assistant general manager of operations for the Sonoma County Water Agency.
On Friday afternoon, June 10, Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa will be the site of a public hearing on the future of California’s State Parks. Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Chair of the Assembly’s Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee, will host the gathering, which will be held in the park’s Upper Oak Knoll Picnic Area, from 4-6 pm.
In addition to the Assemblyman, scheduled panelists will include Ruth Coleman, Director of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and Elizabeth Goldstein, President of California State Parks Foundation. as well as Assembly Michale Allen and state Senator Noreen Evans. Additional local and regional state parks representatives, and a number of other witnesses will also be there to discuss park partnership opportunities and various management and funding strategies.
Yesterday, the Green Party of California appointed San Rafael resident Marnie Glickman as its first-ever managing director. She is a twenty-year veteran of politics, campaigns and fundraising.
Marnie has worked on dozens of electoral campaigns, including Laura Wells for Governor (CA, 2010), Jill Stein for Governor (MA, 2010), Howie Hawkins for Governor (NY, 2010), David Curtis for Governor (NV, 2010), Rev. Billy Talen for Mayor (New York City, 2009), Malik Rahim for Congress (LA, 2008), Joe Keating for Governor (OR, 2006), Cobb-LaMarche presidential campaign (2004), Nader for President (2000), Carl Mayer for Congress (NJ, 2000), Nita Lowey for U.S. Senate exploratory committee (DC and NY, 1998), Darlene Hooley for Congress (OR, 1997), Tom Bruggere for U.S. Senate (OR, 2006), Nancy Kaszak for Congress (IL, 1995), Elizabeth Furse for Congress (OR, 1994) and Clinton-Gore (1992).
In celebration of its 30th Anniversary Season, 
The Coast Guard Band presents a rich tapestry of American music. Aaron Copland’s aria “The Promise of Living” from the opera “The Tender Land” is presented in an arrangement for wind ensemble. Other classical pieces include Alfred Reed’s “Armenian Dances,” Morton Gould’s “Santa Fe Saga,” and Frank Ticheli’s “Wild Nights.” Marches by John Philip Sousa, including “George Washington Bicentennial” and “Hands Across the Sea,” highlight the program. Soprano soloist Musician 1st Class Megan Weikleenget sings Samuel Augustus Ward’s poignant “America, the Beautiful.” Trumpet soloists Chief Musician Gino Villarreal and MU1 Thomas Brown perform George Bizet’s robust “Carmen Fantasia.”
