Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA
Sonoma, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that he has helped secure $2,496,686.63 in federal grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the Sonoma Ecology Center to advance their floodplain restoration project in Sonoma Creek. This investment will support work at three high-priority restoration sites in Glen Ellen to help reduce flood risk for local communities while restoring critical habitat for steelhead and other threatened species.
“Sonoma Creek is one of the Bay Area’s most important waterways,” said Thompson. “This project will help protect the steelhead and other wildlife that depend on the creek, and it will also better protect nearby homes and key infrastructure from worsening floods. Thank you to the Sonoma Ecology Center for the incredible work they’re doing to protect our community and environment. I’ve long worked to restore our natural landscapes and safeguard our communities from flood risk. This project does both, and I’m proud to have helped secure this important funding for Sonoma Valley.”
“We are so grateful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding our restoration planning at three priority sites on Sonoma Creek,” said Richard Dale, Executive Director of the Sonoma Ecology Center. “This funding will help us advance projects to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species like steelhead, while also helping to address erosion and flooding. This project is one of only four projects in California funded through this competitive nation-wide grant program, and we appreciate Congressman Thompson’s support helping us bring these resources to Sonoma Valley.”
Intensifying winter rainstorms have accelerated erosion and flooding along Sonoma Creek, threatening nearby homes, infrastructure, and ecosystem health. This funding will allow the Sonoma Ecology Center to move forward on restoration activities, improving overall habitat and waterway resilience.
The nearly $2.5 million in funding will support efforts to:
- Advance detailed designs for floodplain restoration at three priority locations along Sonoma Creek
- Reduce community flood and erosion risks heightened by severe winter storms
- Restore and enhance habitat for steelhead trout and other sensitive species
- Improve long-term watershed resilience in Sonoma Valley