Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approves Russian River floodplain restoration project

On Earth Day, April 22, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted a use permit and associated General Plan and zoning amendments to launch a 358-acre Russian River floodplain restoration project along the east bank of the Russian River near Windsor. The project will restore and regrade four former gravel mining pits, known locally as the “Hanson Pits.” This restoration will create functional floodplain habitat for federally listed salmonids, improve water quality, and provide low-impact public amenities including day-use parking, a multi-use trail, and a small boat-in/walk-in campground.

“Restoring our river’s natural floodplain will not only bolster habitat for coho salmon and steelhead, but will also give residents and visitors safe, year-round access to this beautiful stretch of the Russian River,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “I’m impressed with the perseverance of Sonoma County staff and leadership and all the work that went into this project that not only restores the environment but will also increase wildfire resiliency.”

The project, led by Endangered Habitats Conservancy in coordination with Permit Sonoma, incorporates designs documented in the 2015 Hanson Russian River Ponds Floodplain Restoration Feasibility Study. Restoration actions will not only create valuable floodplain habitat but will also improve geomorphic stability, reduce flooding, eliminate sources of mercury and enhance groundwater recharge.

Sonoma County and Endangered Habitats Conservancy coordinated and partnered with NOAA Fisheries, California State Coastal Conservancy, Town of Windsor, local nonprofit Russian Riverkeeper and many other agencies and organizations to develop and advance the transformative restoration and public access plan. The project enjoys strong community backing, with numerous letters of support coming from prominent local environmental organizations such as California Trout, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and Trout Unlimited.

The county is working with partners to identify grants and sources of funding to support construction of the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $25 million. Once funding is secured, restoration grading and planting will occur over four years, followed by five years of restoration success monitoring. The County hopes that construction can begin in the summer of 2027.

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Media Contact:
Genevieve Bertone
Permit Sonoma Department Program Manager, Outreach
Genevieve.Bertone@sonoma-county.org  
(707) 565- 1231