Rural Roads Improvement Program

Since 1998, the Sotoyome RCD has worked with over 110 private landowners to identify sources of excessive sediment on rural roads. Since our efforts began, the RCD has worked with local landowners to assess and treat 187 miles of road throughout the Russian and Gualala River Watersheds by receiving over 4 million dollars in grant funding from the California Department of Fish and Game, California State Coastal Conservancy and the California State Water Resources Control Board. These projects have prevented over 116,500 cubic yards of sediment from entering streams and waterbodies.

The Russian River and Gualala River are listed as impaired waterbodies under the US Clean Water Act's 303(d) listing with sediment listed as the single most prevalent impairment. Unimproved rural roads are thought to be the number one contributor of sediment in these watersheds. The goal of the RCD's Rural Road Improvement Program (RRIP) is to reduce sediment delivery and improve water quality in high quality salmon and steelhead streams throughout these watersheds by working with private landowners to assess their rural roads for sediment delivery, prioritize improvement sites, and implement road improvements. Working with Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) or with our own qualified staff, our road assessments use PWA's protocol which is accepted by Department of Fish and Game, the State Water Resources Control Board, the State Coastal Conservancy and others.

The key tributaries where the program has been implemented include Austin Creek, Mark West Creek, Gray Creek, Palmer Creek, Pena Creek, Sheephouse Creek, and Hobson Creek Watersheds within the Russian River Watershed, and the Little North Fork, Tombs Creek, and Fuller Creek Watersheds in the Gualala River Watershed.

If you are looking to assess or treat your rural road system, contact Andy Casarez about this program at (707) 569-1448 ext. 105.