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Hi everyone,
Summer is nearly here, and with it, some exciting opportunities for our young people, creative thinkers, and river adventurers alike. This week’s newsletter is packed with good news: a Fifth District summer internship for high school or college students interested in exploring public service, openings for high school students on the Sonoma County Youth Commission for Human Rights, and a reminder that yes, we do in fact live in bear country (more on that below).
We’ve also got updates on the return of the Russian River Shuttle, fresh momentum at the garden in front of our West County Services Center in Guerneville, community art that will soon be brightening our towns, and new resources for aspiring food entrepreneurs.
A note on sewer rates—at our May 13 Board meeting, I supported necessary service rate adjustments to keep our sanitation systems functioning, but successfully pushed back on steep proposed fee increases that would have made life harder for folks building ADUs or starting a small business. Long-term, I’m continuing to advocate for big picture reforms that will stabilize costs while making wastewater infrastructure more resilient.
Whether you’re painting a mural, floating downriver, or just stopping by for one of our monthly Cafecitos, I hope you find a way to connect with the people and places that make West County so special.
With appreciation for all the ways you show up,
Lynda
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High School and College Students:
Apply for a Paid Summer Internship
with the 5th District
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Are you (or do you know) a student passionate about community engagement and public service?
Our office is now accepting applications for a paid summer internship—an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in local government while making a real impact.
What You’ll Do:
- Collaborate with experienced staff on real-world projects
- Help plan and coordinate community events
- Support outreach to organizations and residents
- Attend and contribute to local meetings
- Create educational and outreach materials
Details:
- 8–12 hours/week for 8 weeks
- Pay: $21.55–$22.62/hour
- Spanish fluency and/or video production skills are a plus!
This internship offers a window into how county government works—from policymaking to community engagement—and provides valuable skills for anyone considering a future in public service, advocacy, or nonprofit work.
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High School Students:
Apply to be a Youth Commissioner
for Human Rights
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The 2025–2026 Youth Commission Application
is open until June 8, 2025
Do you know a high schooler in Sonoma County who’s passionate about human rights? Encourage them to apply to the Sonoma County Youth Commission on Human Rights—a free, engaging program designed to empower youth voices and create real impact.
Each year, 15 to 20 youth leaders are selected to serve a nine-month term aligned with the school year. As Youth Commissioners, students attend monthly meetings, go on exciting field trips, hear from inspiring guest speakers, and work closely with community groups and local government.
This is more than just a program—it’s a chance to:
- Build leadership and public speaking skills
- Explore critical human rights issues
- Network with peers and community leaders
- Get mentorship, volunteer hours, and letters of recommendation
- Make a meaningful difference in Sonoma County
If you're currently in 9th to 11th grade, you’re guaranteed a spot for the 2025–2026 school year!
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Summer on the Lower Russian River
with Sonoma County Regional Parks
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The Regional Parks River Shuttle returns Memorial Day Weekend, offering weekend and holiday rides through Labor Day between El Molino High School and Steelhead/Sunset beaches. Tickets are $5 for all-day access—kids 18 and under ride free.
To help fund staffing and maintenance, day-use parking at Russian River parks (including Sunset and Steelhead Beach) increases to $12 from May 23–Sept. 7. After September 7 day-use parking will be $8. Parking is free with a Regional Parks membership.
Skip the hassle - rent a tube at Steelhead Beach, float downriver, drop it at Sunset Beach, and catch the shuttle back. Book rentals in advance at Russian River Tubes.
Stay safe while you play. Lifeguards from the Russian River Patrol will be on duty Fridays–Mondays, but it's up to you to be cautious. Free life jacket loaner stations are also available at several river parks - please use one and return it before you leave.
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From Sonoma County Regional Parks:
We’re seeing lots of bear activity across our northern coastal parks, such as this curious black bear at Stillwater Cove Regional Park. Beyond wrestling with the camera, it left signs of its visit: digging, clawing and tearing into logs looking for tasty bugs.
That same week, another bear tried (and failed) to get into our dumpsters at Gualala Point Regional Park. Thanks to a pilot project with Recology our dumpsters there are bear-resistant and it quickly left without success – which we count as our success: keeping wildlife, especially bears from learning that humans (and human trash) are a source of easy meals.
Why all this activity? Spring is the season when younger bears “disperse” (aka: leave mom’s territory to find their own) so sightings may happen in unexpected places. Just remember: All of Sonoma County is bear country; bears following trails and waterways can show up in just about any part of the county. As their numbers in the county appear to be increasing, interactions may become more frequent.
Take steps to secure your food, pet food, trash and other attractants such as bee hives, chickens, compost and bird feeders. Bear-resistant trash cans can be purchased for extra security.
For more tips on living with bears, visit www.bearwise.org.
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Community Garden Effort
at the West County Services Center
| | Thank you to Lee Leibrock of Forestville for for hand watering the garden until irrigation was installed! | | |
Not too long ago, this space was choked by dead and dying weeds. But today, the Annie Boutelle garden at our West County Services Center is growing & gorgeous in the warm spring sunshine!
This is what community ownership and pride looks like. Thank you Public Infrastructure for clearing the space for the community to plant, and for working to install irrigation this week to keep Annie’s garden green throughout the summer.
And most importantly, THANK YOU to all the amazing community volunteers who gather to plant, weed, and water this space. It brings beauty and joy to all of us who live & work in Guerneville.
| | | | Thank you to Javier Montaño for installing the irrigation! | | |
Public Arts Grants Spark Creativity
throughout West County
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In January, in conjunction with Creative Sonoma, we launched a Community Public Art Project Grant program for unincorporated areas of District 5, funded by our 5th District Community Infrastructure and Tourism Impact Funds. We’re thrilled to share that Creative Sonoma has announced 19 grant awards for local public art projects.
The response was incredible—25 eligible groups applied, and the funded projects reflect the creative spirit and community pride of West County. Grant recipients include the Graton Fire Protection District, which will engage students from Oak Grove Elementary School in creating a mural celebrating our local watersheds and trails, and the Occidental Community Farmers Market, which will host interactive art and music workshops called “Common Threads.” In Jenner, Sea Otter Savvy will paint a mural to spark conversation around potential sea otter reintroduction.
These community-led projects show the power of art to connect neighbors, celebrate place, and brighten our shared spaces.
| | The Stone Spiral art installation will revitalize a powerful public art piece at West County Health Centers’ Russian River Health and Wellness Center, honoring the over 1,200 lives lost to HIV/AIDS in Sonoma County since 1983 and serving as a symbol of resilience and the ongoing fight for visibility, dignity and care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. | | PASOS: The 10 steps to open a food business | | |
We’re excited to share news about Pasos, an initiative launched to assist food entrepreneurs on their journey from dream to business reality. Pasos—meaning “steps” in Spanish—is a collaborative effort among several county departments and community partners, offering clear, culturally relevant guidance to help navigate the often complex permitting process for food businesses.
Whether you're interested in launching a tamale cart, a home kitchen operation, or a full-service restaurant, Pasos provides step-by-step bilingual resources, workshops, and direct connections to local experts. With strong support from trusted organizations like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, RedLatinx Hub, and Los Cien, Pasos is more than a program—it’s a pathway to economic empowerment through food.
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Sewer Rate Updates for
Russian River, Occidental, and The Sea Ranch
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As mentioned in the May 7 newsletter, the Board of Supervisors considered updates to sewer capacity charge rates and rate increases proposed by Sonoma Water, during the May 13 meeting.
After deliberation, the Board approved a sewer service rate increases for Fiscal Year 2025–26. Rates will rise 8.5% in the Russian River County Sanitation District 8.9% in The Sea Ranch (up 8.9%), and 4.7% in Occidental. These increases support basic operations and critical infrastructure upgrades, much of which is long overdue.
While Supervisor Hopkins supported the service rate adjustments, she opposed the proposed spike in sewer connection (capacity) charges, which would have sharply increased costs for new ADUs, and small businesses or property owners undergoing use-type changes—such as restaurants changing hands. Thanks in part to her advocacy, the board voted to maintain existing capacity charges rather than approving increases as high as $20,000 per unit in some areas.
Supervisor Hopkins continues to advocate for long-term structural solutions that reduce pressure on individual ratepayers while securing the resources needed to fix aging infrastructure. Solutions such as regionalization and consolidation of small sanitation systems in West County are being studied by Sonoma Water; and she is in support of legislation to reform state plumbing codes to allow lower-cost options like composting toilets and graywater reuse for ADUs and remote properties.
A West County Regionalization Study is currently underway, looking at shared infrastructure options for communities like Occidental, Bodega, Forestville, and Monte Rio. Reforms would aim to create more viable, equitable, and resilient wastewater systems.
The Sanitation Rate Relief Program remains available for qualifying low-income households and nonprofits, offering a 50% discount.
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Sonoma Water Secures EPA Grant for
Occidental-Graton Pipeline Design
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In other sewer news - we have recently received notification that Sonoma Water has been awarded with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the design of the Occidental - Graton pipeline project! Occidental County Sanitation District (OCSD) and Graton Community Services District (Graton) both have sewer service charges which are among the highest rates in California.
The rates are high due to the cost associated with operating a small wastewater systems in areas with stringent wastewater treatment requirements and a small number of ratepayers. OCSD is currently hauling wastewater from an Occidental lift station to the Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone (ALWSZ) treatment plant for treatment and disposal in north Santa Rosa.
In 2021 OCSD and Graton agreed to conduct a feasibility study to assess transporting untreated wastewater from OCSD to Graton for treatment and disposal, to assess the capacity of the Graton wastewater treatment plant to treat and dispose of the total combined flow, and to construct a pipeline from OCSD to Graton to reduce costs for both communities.
| | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | | | |
Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council
June 12, 2025
5:30 PM
West County Services Center (former B of A building)
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
Main topic: Sonoma County General Plan Update - reflections from the first phase of public engagement and next steps.
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Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario
Monday June 16, 8 - 9 AM
West County Services Center
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito Comunitario" on the third Monday each month. You don't have to stay; you can just stop by to visit with D5 staff, enjoy a delicious pastry and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; then go about your day. Everyone is welcome; we look forward to seeing you!
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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
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