Potter Valley Project

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July 2025 

The Potter Valley Project (PVP) is a critical hydroelectric and water diversion system on the Eel River that transfers water to the Russian River, providing a vital supply to communities across Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin Counties. With PG&E planning to decommission the project due to its declining cost-effectiveness, significant concerns have arisen over the future of water access in the region. A key element of PG&E’s proposed decommissioning includes removing Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, effectively ending the diversion of water to the Russian River.

In response, the County of Sonoma, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, and the Round Valley Indian Tribe formed a Joint Powers Authority, the New Eel Russian Project Authority (ERPA), to advocate for the continuation of some level of water diversion. The Sonoma County Water Agency has played a key role in designing potential alternatives and assessing how water needs could be met in the absence of the current system. ERPA has submitted a proposal to PG&E, and, hopefully, their diversion plan will be incorporated into the official decommissioning process.

Recognizing the importance of this issue for agriculture, residents, and local economies, Sonoma County Farm Bureau hosted an informational forum on July 1 to help the community understand the future of regional water. Dr. Robert Eyler presented findings from the economic impact study commissioned by Farm Bureau in the fall of 2023, detailing the projected effects of the project’s decommissioning on Sonoma County’s economy. David Rabbitt, Chair of ERPA, provided an overview of the authority’s work and goals. At the same time, David Manning of Sonoma Water discussed potential projects and the necessary infrastructure to maintain water diversions from the Eel River. Janet Walther from PG&E also participated, offering a historical perspective and current status update on the Potter Valley Project. The event underscored the urgency of ongoing collaboration to secure a reliable water future for North Bay communities.

April 2025

On April 4, 2025, the Farm Bureaus of Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin Counties submitted a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump and key federal agency heads, requesting urgent federal intervention in the FERC Proceeding for Project-77, which proposes the decommissioning of Scott Dam. The letter highlights the severe impacts of this plan on water access, public safety, and regional economies, and calls for the Bureau of Reclamation to assume control of the Potter Valley Project. It also requests funding and regulatory support to raise Coyote Dam as a mitigation effort. The Farm Bureaus urge the Administration to delay approval of the decommissioning plan until long-term solutions and infrastructure improvements are secured. 

March 2025

On March 20th, ED Ghirardelli and President Pat Burns attended the City of Cloverdale’s Town Hall meeting regarding the Potter Valley Project. ED Ghirardelli provided an overview of the Economic Impact Report that the Sonoma County Farm Bureau commissioned in 2023. Economist Robert Eyler performed the study, which showed the economic impacts on various sectors of Sonoma County, including Commercial, Agricultural, Municipal, and Residential. This study was previously shared with county supervisors and state and federal legislators.

December 2023

PG&E released its Initial Draft Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan of the PVP in November and public comment was due on December 22nd. We submitted comment that supports the New Eel-Russian Facility proposed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Trout, Humboldt County, Trout Unlimited, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Sonoma County Water Agency to maintain diversion of water from the Eel River to the Russian River through the formation of a regional entity that would own, construct, operate, and develop solutions for continued diversion. However, their proposal mentions not interfering with the removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam to which continue to express our wholehearted disagreement with removing the dams given climate uncertainty. We were also able to share the results from the Environmental Impact Report that Sonoma County Farm Bureau funded to show the economic impacts for Sonoma County as a whole, not just for agriculture. The results are staggering! To consider a mere 10% loss of water that is currently diverted through the PVP would have a long-term economic impact to our County of $67.5 million annually. You can read the entire EIR here.

October 2023

ED Ghirardelli continues to stay directly engaged with the Russian River Water Forum and the status of the Potter Valley Project. PG&E is expected to release its PVP decommissioning draft proposal in mid-November. It is anticipated that it will include the New Eel-Russian Facility proposal by the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, and the Round Valley Indian Tribes.

On October 10th the Russian River Water Forum Sonoma County Ag Caucus met to discuss the status of efforts, including an update on the recent New Eel-Russian Facility Proposal.

June 2023

ED Ghirardelli continued to represent SCFB on several Sonoma County Water Forum committees in response to the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project by PG&E. Since this poses a serious threat to the people, communities, businesses, and livelihoods that have been built over the last 100 years based on the reliance on the water from this source, SCFB has voiced interest in contributing to the process of developing long-term water diversion solutions that guarantee access to water.

May 2023

SCFB continues to participate in the Russian River Water Forum. ED Ghirardelli participates in various caucus meetings to stay apprised of others’ input and intent, as well as provide input on behalf of Sonoma County agriculture. Six of our members are on the Russian River Water Forum Planning Committee, attending the first meeting in May. Many of them will participate in various working groups ensuring a voice for agriculture.

January 2022

Potter Valley Project Bypass Request

Sonoma County Farm Bureau President, Jennifer Beretta, addressed PG&E Director, Mike Schonherr, in a letter requesting that PG&E adjust the Potter Valley Project operations through March 8, 2022, to maintain a diverted flow of approximately 140 CFS through the bypass.

The water diverted through the project is critical to farmers that rely on Lake Mendocino as a water source for their livelihoods. This is especially important due to the extreme drought conditions this region is facing. In addition, many fish species would benefit from this diversion, and many other ecological benefits would be realized.

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