Sonoma County Well Regulations Changes Kicked Down the Road

groundwater-pumping
groundwater-pumping

Possible changes to Sonoma County’s well regulations will have to wait. The Board of Supervisors decided not to adopt changes during Tuesday’s meeting, saying there needs to be more studies, analysis and public outreach. The proposed changes are meant to put the county’s well ordinance in line with California’s Public Trust Doctrine, which says local governments must protect certain waterways for public uses, like commerce, recreation, navigation, and habitat. The main waterways classified as so-called public trust resources in Sonoma County are the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek. The board is considering regulations that would require applicants for wells to undergo a review of potential impacts to any nearby public trust resources.