Notice of Public Hearing - Continuation of Reconsideration of Denial of the Alexander Valley Water District Formation (File 2025-03)

NOTICE OF CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission that the Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at or after 2:00 p.m., in the Sonoma County Administration Building, 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, California.

The purpose of the hearing is for the Commission to continue consideration of the following matter:

File No. 2025-03: Request for Reconsideration of a Proposed formation and establishment of a sphere of influence of the Alexander Valley Water District, a California Water District governed by landowners, to provide a variety of services to landowners within the proposed district boundary

The Commission received a proposal for the formation of the Alexander Valley Water District, encompassing territory overlying the Alexander Valley Groundwater Basin, excluding the City of Cloverdale, the City of Healdsburg, the Rains Creek Water District, Sonoma County’s County Service Area 41, publicly owned lands, and tribal trust lands in northern Sonoma County.

The proposal was initiated by landowners representing over 50% of the land area within the proposed district boundary. Information on the proposal, including a map of the proposed district boundary, is available on the Sonoma LAFCO website at www.sonomalafco.org and on the petitioner’s’ website at www.avwater.org.

Proponents of the formation are seeking LAFCO approval to provide these services: cooperation with local, regional and state agencies towards the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources through data management, optimization of groundwater recharge, conservation, and infrastructure financing. The proposed District would participate in a Groundwater Sustainability Agency if one were formed for the basin. 

Specific activities for the proposed district include:

1. Expand and manage the Russian River voluntary water sharing program.
2. Participate in any new Eel River-Russian River diversion project.
3. Expand local groundwater investigation and management.
4. Pursue Alexander Valley groundwater recharge program. 

Owners of property included in the District would be subject to special taxes or assessments to support district operations. 

The Commission denied the proposal at its meeting on May 6, 2026, and applicants subsequently filed a request for reconsideration. The Commission considered the request in a noticed public hearing at its August 5^th, 2026, meeting. The Commission continued the public hearing to September 2, 2026. At the conclusion of its consideration of the request, the Commission may approve the request with or without amendment, wholly, partially, or conditionally, or disapprove the request.

Copies of all related documents may be reviewed at the office of the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission and on its website at sonomalafco.org under Proposals and Projects. For questions, call Sonoma LAFCO: (707) 565-2577.

By: Mark Bramfitt, Executive Officer                                      Date: August 10, 2026