Early summer low flows and warm weather make the torrential rainfall of December
2005 seem like a distant memory. But for those who rang in the 2006 New Year by
watching their roads and driveways wash out, the challenges of winter may not be so easily
forgotten. For this and many other reasons, the Sotoyome RCD is pleased to report that
road repair and upgrades associated with the first phase of the Upper Mark West Creek
Sediment Source Reduction Project have been successfully completed.
This project, underway for six years (assessment, planning, implementation), included
the participation and support of over 70 landowners. It leveraged over
$570,000 in public funds and nearly $60,000 in private funds matched by landowners.
The project, a partnership between the Sotoyome RCD, Pacific Watershed Associates,
Charles Hope Construction, funding by the California Department of Fish
and Game, NOAA Habitat and Incident-Specific Restoration Fund and the many
participating landowners resulted in the improvement of over 12 miles of unpaved,
private roads. The work will prevent an estimate of over 14,000 cubic
yards of fine sediment from entering Mark West Creek. In addition to the habitat
and water quality improvements, the road upgrades improved the road drainage,
which will result in less road maintenance and associated costs for landowners.
The Upper Mark West Creek Sediment Source Reduction Project, as well as other habitat restoration projects implemented in the upper Mark West Creek watershed, originated through the Sotoyome RCD Russian River Creek Stewardship and Volunteer Monitoring Program (RRCSP). A general watershed overview and summary of monitoring activities conducted in the Mark West Creek watershed through the RRCSP are available in several monitoring reports available on the SRCD website at www.sotoyomercd.org. In an attempt to comprehensively address fine sediment reduction in upper Mark West Creek watershed, the SRCD, with
funding support from the Sonoma County Water Agency, is interested in working with landowners on additional unpaved road spurs to inventory and improve their roads. Please contact the RCD at 569.1448 for more information and the criteria for participation in future funding assistance requests.

The text from this article originally appeared in the Sotoyome RCD Resource Conservation News Volume 1, Issue 2

SRCD newsletter 2007 final.pdf