Alexander Valley Water District Progress & Updates

Please note - In February, Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) distributed an official notice regarding the proposed Alexander Valley Water District. This mailing was issued directly by the County as part of its formal review process and is separate from prior communications shared by the Russian River Property Owners Association. The notice was sent to all landowners within the proposed District boundaries, as well as to properties located within 300 feet of those boundaries.

To determine whether your property is located within the proposed District area, please use our interactive mapping tool below:

Mapping Tool:
https://oe-i.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=5b3b56437dcc4683bfbfc63184556f7c

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission that the Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at or after 2:00 p.m., in the Sonoma County Administration Building, 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, California.

 The purpose of the hearing is for the Commission to consider the following matter:

File No. 2025-03: Proposed formation and establishment of a sphere of influence of the Alexander Valley Water District, a California Water District governed by landowners, to provide a variety of services to landowners within the proposed district boundary

 The proposal was initiated by landowners representing over 50% of the land area within the proposed district boundary.

 The affected territory includes lands overlying the Alexander Valley Groundwater Basin, excluding the City of Cloverdale, the City of Healdsburg, the Rains Creek Water District, Sonoma County’s County Service Area 41, publicly owned lands, and tribal trust lands in northern Sonoma County. A map of the affected territory is included in the Plan for Service filed by the applicants, available on the Sonoma LAFCO website at www.sonomalafco.org and on the petioners’ website at www.avwater.org

 Proponents of the formation are seeking LAFCO approval to provide these services: cooperation with local, regional and state agencies towards the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources through data management, optimization of groundwater recharge, conservation, and infrastructure financing. The proposed District would participate in a Groundwater Sustainability Agency if one were formed for the basin.

 Specific activities for the proposed district include:

 Expand and manage the Russian River voluntary water sharing program.

1. Participate in any new Eel River-Russian River diversion project.

2. Expand local groundwater investigation and management.

3. Pursue Alexander Valley groundwater recharge program.

 Owners of property included in the District would be subject to special taxes or assessments to support district operations. If the Commission approves or conditionally approves the proposal, landowners within the proposed or amended boundary will be asked to vote on three measures: approval or denial of the formation, approval or denial of special taxes or assessments to support the operation of the district, and votes for an initial slate of district directors.

 Copies of all related documents are on file and may be reviewed at the office of the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission and on its website at sonomalafco.org under Proposals and Projects. For questions, call Sonoma LAFCO: (707) 565-2577.

 By: Mark Bramfitt, Executive Officer                                                   Date: February 11, 2026

Suggested AVWD Formation Letter of Support Template

Mark Bramfitt (LAFCO Executive Officer):

The [ add name of organization] supports the Russian River Property Owners Association (RRPOA) effort create the Alexander Valley Water District as needed to represent agricultural landowners to secure and conserve local water supply in cooperation with other water users. The new District would have the following purposes:

1)     Coordination with other Alexander Valley water users regarding water reliability and security including the ongoing Water Sharing Program;

2)     Participate in developing the ‘Two Basin Solution’ through the Eel River Project Authority (ERPA) and other future intergovernmental efforts;

3)     Develop a local Alexander Valley derived funding source to pay a proportional share of ERPA or other regional water supply and conservation solutions.

4)     Form a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) with other public agencies in the Alexander Valley;

5)     Contribute to a better understanding of surface water-groundwater interactions, water use, and habitat values within Alexander Valley;

6)     Invest in infrastructure that expands and conserves water supply through increased local storage, groundwater recharge, recycled water, and water conservation measures; and

7)     Participate in Russian River riparian and aquatic habitat restoration projects.

The new District would work with other water users and stakeholders in the Alexander Valley, including Sonoma County, cities of Healdsburg and Cloverdale, the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Lytton Rancheria, Russian River Utility, California American Water Company, to protect and sustain our common local water supply.

We fully support AVWD formation and look forward to working with the new Water District to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Alexander Valley’s water supply while also contributing to regional water supply solutions.

Sincerely,

Name

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Time: 2:00pm

Location: 575 Administration Drive (Room 102A)

Santa Rosa ,CA

 March 1, 2026- The Russian River Property Owners Association is soliciting statements of interest from people who may be interested in serving on the Board of Directors of the Alexander Valley Water District.   

·      The Initial Board will consist of five members elected at large. (Once elected, the Initial Board may adopt bylaws to increase the number of directors to seven and adopt geographic divisions.)

·      Three members of the Initial Board will serve a four-year term, and two will serve a two-year term.

·      Directors must own land in the District or be an authorized representative of a landowner.

·      We desire that the Initial Board represent a diversity of properties and land and water uses, including:

o   Irrigated vineyard

o   Ranching or non-vineyard irrigated agricultural use

o   A resident and owner of a residential property

o   An operator of a drinking water system or a director or officer of a small domestic water supplier (e.g., water company, water district)

Industrial water users (e.g. sawmills, wineries, custom crush facilities)

If a position on the Board of Directors is of interest, please submit your application to info@rrpoa.org or president@rrpoa.org. You can download the application below.