Santa Rosa to continue Creek Stewardship program with $615,000 from Sonoma Water through FY 2030-31

The Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to authorize the director of Santa Rosa Water to execute a funding agreement with Sonoma Water to continue the Creek Stewardship Program through fiscal year 2030-31. The agreement provides $615,000 for the program over the extension period.

Kyle Smallberg, environmental specialist in Santa Rosa’s Stormwater and Creeks team, told the board the Creek Stewardship Program — established in 2002 — coordinates volunteer creek cleanups, educational activities, and volunteer steward work that identifies maintenance, trash and illegal activity along creeks. Since the program began, staff said it has removed more than 19,000 cubic yards of trash, engaged nearly 150,000 people through events, produced over 80,000 community service hours and 100,000 education hours.

Smallberg said the funding helps the city respond quickly to steward reports in coordination with Sonoma Water and supports stormwater permit compliance and pollution-prevention outreach. The agreement would continue a partnership intended to strengthen coordination between Sonoma Water and the City of Santa Rosa while providing grant-funded staffing and outreach capacity to advance creek stewardship and permit-related tasks.

No public comment was offered before the Board approved the resolution authorizing execution of the funding agreement. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Board Members Wright, Mullen, Bartholow, Vice Chair Arnoni and Chair Galvin voting Aye; Board Members DeWitt and Bavenport were absent.