Weekly Roundup for August 11, 2023

Published: August 11, 2023

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following:

Regional Parks seeks input on new Calabazas Creek Preserve
Fire season tips for equipment safety
Sonoma Coast cleanup event this weekend
Other Sonoma County news of note

Help prepare the Master Plan for our newest regional park

Sonoma County Regional Parks is seeking public participation in the planning for the county’s newest park, Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.

Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains of eastern Sonoma Valley, this future 1,290-acre Sonoma County Regional Park will protect the natural beauty of these scenic and iconic mountains.

With public input, Regional Parks will prepare a Master Plan to guide the development of accessible trails and spaces, recreational and educational uses, and stewardship of the park’s natural resources.

To take part in the survey, please visit: https://calabazascreekparkandpreserve.org/survey.

Fire season safety tips for 'One Less Spark'

Whether working to create defensible space around your home, just mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wildland area you need to use all equipment responsibly to prevent forest fires.

Lawn mowers, weed-eaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Here are some tips to do your part to prevent equipment sparked fires to keep your community safe.

Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns, NOT weeds or dry grass.
Be cautious of rocks, metal blades striking rocks create sparks and start fires.
Ensure your chainsaw has a spark arrester and is working properly.
Be sure to mow your lawn before 10 a.m., have a fire extinguisher and/or hose nearby, and never mow if it’s windy or excessively dry.

For CAL FIRE information on equipment safety, please visit:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/

For additional emergency preparedness tips, please visit: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/

Cleaner California Coast Initiative on Saturday, August 12

The counties of Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino – in coordination with the organization, Leave No Trace - have launched the Cleaner California Coast Initiative, a collaborative effort to empower the community to clean up our coastal environment.

As part of this effort, the public is encouraged to attend the Sonoma County Beach Clean Up on Saturday, Aug. 12 at Doran Beach at 9 a.m.

Last year, volunteers picked up more than 55,000 pounds of litter on the beaches of these counties.

Here are some other ways to practice pollution prevention:

Bring reusables (and refuse single-use plastics)
Find a restroom (know before you go)
Pack it out
Hang on to your cigarette butts (and e-cigarette pods and cartridges)

For more information, please visit:
https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/cleaner-california-coast-initiative-launches-in-marin-sonoma-and-mendocino-counties

Other Sonoma County news of note

Sonoma County Registrar of Voters seeking public feedback on second draft of Election Administration Plan
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-registrar-of-voters-seeking-public-feedback-on-second-draft-of-election-administration-plan

Department of Child Support Services announces new programs to support local families
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/department-of-child-support-services-announces-new-programs-to-support-local-families

Jeff DuVall named director of County of Sonoma’s Department of Emergency Management
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/jeff-duvall-named-director-of-county-of-sonomas-department-of-emergency-management

Caltrans and the county reassess Bohemian Highway Bridge Project over Russian River
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/caltrans-and-the-county-reassess-bohemian-highway-bridge-project-over-russian-river

Regional Partners Submit Proposal to Preserve Potter Valley Diversion and Fish Passage Options
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/regional-partners-submit-proposal-to-preserve-potter-valley-diversion-and-fish-passage-options