Draft Supplemental Watershed Plan No. 1 - Environmental Assessment Central Sonoma Watershed - Matanzas Creek Dam Rehabilitation Project

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1b), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Central Sonoma Watershed Matanzas Creek Dam Rehabilitation Project, Sonoma County, California (Project). A draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared and will be available for review on July 26, 2026, on the project’s website https://matanzascreekdamrehab.com, and at the Sonoma County Water Agency’s website https://www.sonomawater.org/environmental-documents. The draft EA of this federally assisted action indicates that the Project will not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings, the State Conservationist, Carlos Suarez, has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement are not needed for this Project. The purpose of the Project is to continue to provide flood protection and sediment reduction downstream of Matanzas Creek Dam in the most efficient manner. The Matanzas Creek Dam facility currently provides flood protection for the City of Santa Rosa and adjacent unincorporated areas in Sonoma County, California. It also captures approximately 3.8 acre-feet of sediment annually. Based on recent assessments, the dam does not meet NRCS and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) standards. The need is to bring the dam into compliance with current standards while maintaining flood protection and sediment reduction services. The Notice of Availability of the draft EA has been forwarded to various federal, state, and local agencies and interested parties. The Draft Plan-EA is also available in hard copy form at the NRCS Petaluma Service Center, 5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 100, Petaluma, CA. 94954 and the Sonoma County Water Agency at 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa CA. 95403. Basic data developed during the environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed through coordination with NRCS by calling (530) 792-5510 (Attn: Small Watershed Program Matanzas Creek Dam Rehabilitation) or emailing at commentsCAwatersheds@usda.gov. The 30-day public review period for the draft EA extends from July 26, 2026, to August 25, 2026. All comments postmarked by August 25, 2026, will be considered and incorporated into the final EA, as appropriate. Specific responses will also be included in the comments and responses appendix to the final document. To provide comments and/or for further information regarding this notice, email commentsCAwatersheds@usda.gov or contact Richard Rivas, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 430 G Street #4146, Davis, CA 95616, by telephone and leave a voicemail at (530) 792-5510 (Attn: Small Watershed Program, Central Sonoma Watershed Matanzas Creek Dam Rehabilitation Project). An in-person public meeting will also be held at the following location, date, and time to provide additional opportunity for public comment: Iron & Vine, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95405, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.