Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2003-2004
Adobe Creek Debacle and Restoration June 2, 2004
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The UAC Board of Directors consists of 12 adults and is financially accountable to the Petaluma Education Foundation.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
NOAA provides some technical support to the UAC and is supportive of the fish hatchery operation which includes steelhead trout that are on the Endangered Species Act list.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The NOAA representative would like to offer the UAC program additional resources such as marine biologist presentations, information on available grants and more frequent participation in the program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The UAC director/Casa Grande science teacher should as soon as possible take advantage of the pilot program opportunities as well as NOAA’s offer of additional resources that could enhance the UAC program.
F4
The water agency provides water to about 570,000 people in Marin and Sonoma Counties. It is charged with flood control and protection of the endangered species steelhead trout and coho salmon that inhabit Sonoma County rivers and creeks.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Certain discrepancies were found in the following water agency documents: (cid:131) 1995 “Grant of Easement” to the water agency from City of Petaluma, which owns the creek bank that was clear-cut, does not permit maintenance of Adobe Creek landscaping and mowing of grass 3/6 June 2, 2004 (cid:131) “Revocable License #1279”, water agency to Casa Grande UAC to maintain fisheries in Adobe Creek had expired December 31, 2000
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The water agency must audit and update its agreements with the City of Petaluma, DFG and Casa Grande High School on Adobe Creek immediately.
F6
The Casa Grande principal was supportive but not knowledgeable of the administrative details of the UAC fish hatchery-Adobe Creek program. Although it was running smoothly and providing outstanding educational benefits, it appeared not to have been monitored administratively. This contributed to the lack of communication between the Petaluma School District and the other agencies that were involved with the Adobe Creek situation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Casa Grande principal must provide administrative support and an additional backup position for the UAC director by fall 2004. Required responses to Findings None Requested responses to Recommendations California Department of Fish and Game – R5 Supervisor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries – R5 Required responses to Recommendations: General Manager/Chief Engineer, Sonoma County Water Agency – R1, R4 City Council, City of Petaluma – R5 Director, Department of Water Resources and Conservation, City of Petaluma – R6 School Board, Petaluma School District – R5 Principal, Casa Grande High School – R2, R7 Principal, Petaluma High School – R2 Director of United Anglers Club/Science Teacher, Casa Grande High School – R3 5/6 June 2, 2004 Exhibit A: Adobe Creek near Sartori Bridge
F7
Although the water agency’s clear-cutting did not follow its plans at Adobe Creek it has assured the public that safeguards are in place to prevent recurrence.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
In January 2004, the water agency staff met with representatives of Petaluma School District, City of Petaluma, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and NOAA concerning the Adobe Creek situation. The water agency has offered up to $150,000 a year for each of 5 years for a pilot program for environmental education courses at two Petaluma high schools plus a donation of 200 native trees for planting by UAC for restoration work on Adobe Creek. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved this proposal.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Casa Grande and Petaluma High School principals are presently making decisions on how best to utilize the pilot program funds. Suggestions range from new science projects to replacement of a bridge that adversely affects the flow in Adobe Creek.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The pilot program offered by the water agency will not be put into effect until Petaluma School District completes its written curriculum. It must then be reviewed by the pilot program technical advisory committee that includes representatives of the water agency, City of Petaluma, Petaluma School District, DFG and NOAA.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
Petaluma School District high schools’ principals must coordinate all of the applications for the pilot program to assure collaboration in the preparation of curriculum in order to produce the most equitable programs.
R4
The water agency must implement its offer of a pilot program as approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.
R5
The City Council of Petaluma, Petaluma School Board, DFG and NOAA should commit necessary resources for their participation in this pilot program.
F11
The water agency also proposed a stream maintenance outreach and guidance program with the City of Petaluma. It requires the city to conduct community outreach regarding stream maintenance activities and to work with the water agency to balance flood protection and riparian habitat needs. Conclusions The focus of this report was on the water agency’s clear-cutting on a portion of Adobe Creek in Petaluma and its effect upon the fish habitat and creekside environment. The damage was distressing to some residents who saw it. It was particularly devastating to the UAC students, their director and community volunteers who had been maintaining it. Responsibility for Adobe Creek maintenance was confusing because portions of its creekside property are owned by various agencies and private individuals. The portion of Adobe Creek where the clear-cutting occurred is owned by the City of Petaluma. The water agency has an agreement with the City of Petaluma for maintenance of the stream bed but not the stream banks. A positive outcome of this negative situation was the water agency’s proposal to provide a restorative program for Adobe Creek and unique learning opportunities for students in Petaluma high schools on watershed environments. Commendations 4/6 June 2, 2004 The jury commends the dedication of the UAC director at Casa Grande for founding and guiding the outstanding student-operated fish hatchery/stream maintenance program that provides a unique learning and motivating environment for students, and creek enhancement for the community. The water agency, with Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ support, is recognized for initiating the pilot program to provide the coordination, considerable financing, planting stock and environmental education programs for Petaluma high schools.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Director, Department of Water Resources and Conservation of the City of Petaluma should conduct community outreach regarding stream maintenance activities and work with the water agency to balance flood protection and riparian habitat needs within the city.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 4The focus of this report was on the water agency’s clear-cutting on a portion of Adobe Creek in Petaluma and its effect upon the fish habitat and creekside environment. The damage was distressing to some residents who saw it. It was particularly devastating to the UAC students, their director and community volunteers who had been maintaining it. Responsibility for Adobe Creek maintenance was confusing because portions of its creekside property are owned by various agencies and private individuals. The portion of Adobe Creek where the clear-cutting occurred is owned by the City of Petaluma. The water agency has an agreement with the City of Petaluma for maintenance of the stream bed but not the stream banks. A positive outcome of this negative situation was the water agency’s proposal to provide a restorative program for Adobe Creek and unique learning opportunities for students in Petaluma high schools on watershed environments.
Commendations 1
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CM1 Page 5The jury commends the dedication of the UAC director at Casa Grande for founding and guiding the outstanding student-operated fish hatchery/stream maintenance program that provides a unique learning and motivating environment for students, and creek enhancement for the community. The water agency, with Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ support, is recognized for initiating the pilot program to provide the coordination, considerable financing, planting stock and environmental education programs for Petaluma high schools.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Healthy Petaluma District
Special District
Petaluma Joint Union High School District
School District
Sonoma County Water Agency
Special District