Alexander Valley Water District Formation Proposal
NOTICE OF HEARING - REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF DENIAL
The applicants have filed a reconsideration request with the Executive Officer. According to California Goverment Code Section 56895, the request must state what new or different facts that could not have been presented previously are claimed to warrant the reconsideration. The Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at or after 2:00 p.m., in the Sonoma County Administration Building, 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, California. At the hearing, the Commission will have the option to find the reconsideration application invalid or to reopen consideration of the formation proposal.
Notice of Hearing
Reconsideration Requests
File No. 2025-03: 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
FORMATION PROPOSAL DENIED
On April 1, 2026, the Commission held a public hearing on the proposal to form a California water district to be named Alexander Valley Water District. The Commission heard and received all relevant oral and written testimony and evidence presented or filed and considered the Executive Officer’s Report. All interested persons, including the applicants, were given the opportunity to address the Commission. After review and consideration, the Commission continued the public hearing to the May 5, 2026 Commission meeting.
At its May 5, 2026, meeting, the Commission considered various topics including governance, owner representation, district authority, long-term water management, legal and procedural issues related to district formation, election procedures, and the Commission’s authority to impose conditions on district operations. The Commission heard and received all relevant oral and written testimony and evidence presented or filed the applicants and interested parties. After closing the public hearing, the Commission, upon motion and second, denied the proposal to form the district.
PUBLIC HEARING APRIL 1, 2026
The Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at or after 2:00 p.m., in the Sonoma County Administration Building, 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, California to consider the proposal. All interest parties are encouraged to attend.
NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION
The Commission has 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 has the support of just over half of the landowners within the proposed boundary (assessed by land area), based on petitions filed with the proposal. The district would be classified as a California Water District, with only landowners eligible to run for director positions and to vote on district matters.
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:
- Expand and manage the Russian River voluntary water sharing program.
- Participate in new Eel River-Russian River diversion.
- Expand local groundwater investigation and management.
- Pursue Alexander Valley groundwater recharge program.
The following documents can be accessed below:
Application for Formation
Plan for Service
Petition for Formation
Map of Proposed District
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