History

Established in 1982, a small group of local landowners banded together to protect their private property by addressing gravel removal in the Russian River. The erosion destroyed properties, and the lack of flow impacted the fish populations. Throughout the 1990s, the gravel issues had increasingly become more burdensome for landowners whose properties bordered the river and tributaries. The gravel issues remain prevalent today.

In 2008, the RRPOA also took on frost protection to protect their crops and livelihoods. The RRPOA worked with several stakeholders, including local and state government agencies and environmental groups, to address water use for frost protection in the Valley.

The RRPOA continues today and follows important water supply issues, notably the Potter Valley Project and the Groundwater Sustainability Management Act. Read more on our current issues page.