North Bay Watershed Discusses Salmon Decline and Non-Native Fish Threats

The Ross Valley Sanitary District held a productive meeting on July 16, 2025, where several key topics were discussed, including service continuation, environmental concerns, and budget updates.

The meeting began with a positive note regarding the continuation of services for Century Urban, with an additional funding request of $178,000. The board noted that a sale related to this service could occur within the next year. Members requested that staff include previous expenditures in future documentation to ensure transparency.

A brief discussion followed on ongoing work with Glossage, focusing on identifying and addressing deteriorating infrastructure near the project site. This approach was deemed cost-effective and necessary for maintaining service quality.

The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the Central Marin Sanitation Agency's (CMSA) billing methods, which were described as flawed. Further discussions on this topic are expected in future meetings.

In a related update, Pam from the North Bay Watershed reported on a recent meeting held on July 11, which featured a presentation by Dana Lee, a senior fish biologist. Lee shared alarming research about non-native fish species that threaten the native Chinook salmon population in the San Joaquin River, with only about 1% of the native species remaining. The discussion highlighted the impact of predator fish, such as striped bass, on salmon populations and suggested removing fishing limits on these non-native species to help restore balance.

Michael from CMSA provided an overview of the proposed budget, indicating that operations are running smoothly under Jason's management, with projects being completed on time and within budget.

Overall, the meeting covered significant topics affecting both the sanitary district and the broader environmental context, with plans for continued discussions and actions in the coming months.