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Confession #1: I recently returned home from COP30 in Belem, Brazil, a fact which tends to trigger the following reaction:
“You work in local government. What are you doing jetting off to Brazil? Why aren’t you home paving my road?”
I totally understand that response. And please know that I was still working remotely from Brazil making sure all of our County projects were moving forward! But here’s the thing: where we live in beautiful West County is one tiny corner of a big, beautiful planet. We have ways we do things here. These ways aren’t the only way of doing things. Heck, they’re not even necessarily the best way of doing things. But you rarely find better ways of doing things by staying home in your tiny corner of the world, no matter how beautiful and beloved that corner of the world may be.
When you go to an international conference, you’re confronted with different ways of approaching common problems. How do you rewild rivers impacted by industry and development? In New Zealand, the Whanganui River was granted legal personhood through the Te Awa Tupua Act. And while I may not advocate for the Russian River to be identified as a person, the tribal/government partnerships created and implemented in New Zealand could provide a template for similar management and partnership opportunities here at home. The Clean Air Zone pioneered in London has dramatically decreased their urban air pollution, and Mayor Sadiq Khan was eager to provide suggestions on how similar strategies could be utilized in other parts of the world. If the Ukrainian delegation can show up to COP30 to discuss their clean energy transition while bombs are dropping on their homeland, targeting heat and energy sources as winter approaches, what excuse do we have in America not to be there, sharing and learning from others?
The other thing is that, when you’re traveling, you get to know other humans as humans. It may sound super fun to fly around the world to attend a conference — and don’t get me wrong, being part of the Californian delegation to COP30 was an amazing, humbling opportunity! However, this may also mean that your flight is stuck on a runway for 3.5 hours because of an escaped rat. (Confession #2: I do not know if this was the real story, or poorly translated Portuguese, because I was flying on a Brazilian airline and could only make out the broken-English phrases “escaped rat,” “fuel line,” and “manual procedure.” I didn’t really want to know more than that.) It means you’re working 14 hours/day — putting in a Brazil workday, followed by a Californian one — and walking endless miles indoors and outdoors through air that feels like warm tapioca pudding and causes you to sweat in places you didn’t know were even possible. My point being: you’re there with other humans feeling the same thing, and you can’t help but bond. You spend time with state and federal elected representatives and agency staff and NGOs in a place that is so far outside your usual comfort zone that you can’t help but drop the formalities and titles. These relationships are helpful when you come back home and see these folks in board rooms, in meetings, in community. The common inspiration energizes and drives future work.
Of course, we could connect virtually. Of course, I could read about different international initiatives online. AND... There is tremendous power in bringing humans together of different backgrounds and cultures but with some common element to their vision and values. Everyone under the same banner in the lungs of the world, the Amazon, where residents are struggling to make ends meet every day. And one of the key messages from the conference is: you can’t take care of the Amazon forest or the Amazon river without taking care of the Amazon people. That’s a message that resonates deeply with me. In West County, we live in the woods, on the river, along the coast, in the Laguna, in the Santa Rosa plain. We can’t treat wilderness as the other; we are part of it, and it is part of us. We must love and respect the people of our Lower Russian River towns with the same reverence and care we give the River.
Attending an international conference is also a reminder of our ability to transcend our differences — or even better, to leverage our differences! — in pursuit of a common goal. If Californians and Ukrainians and Brazilians can break bread and find common ground and solutions, perhaps Americans on different sides of the political aisle can set aside differences and come together to improve our communities at home. Our common humanity will always be stronger than the forces that try to separate us.
| | Watch the Climate Center’s Press Conference on “How the United States is Making Progress on Climate in Spite of the Trump Administration”, joined by CA State Senator Josh Becker and former Maine House of Representatives member Alex Cornell du Houx, moderated by the Climate Center’s Chief Operating Officer, Barry Vesser | | |
Photo credit: Bay Area Air District
Supervisor Hopkins speaks on a panel on Wildfires with Dr. Phil Fine; California state senator Josh Becker; Edison International executive vice president Caroline Choi
| | Photo credit: Bay Area Air District
CA State Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot and Chair Hopkins | | Supervisor Hopkins participating in a COP30 press conference "How the United States is Making Progress on Climate In Spite of the Trump Administration with CA State Senator Josh Becker. | | Sonoma County joins statewide coalition to oppose offshore drilling and deep-sea mining | | |
Sonoma County has a long history of protecting the coast, and we are fighting to keep oil slicks and fossil fuel infrastructure from touching our shores.
When federal agencies began moving quickly this year to expand offshore oil and gas drilling and advance permits for deep-sea mining, counties up and down the California coast faced a common challenge with limited opportunities for public input.
On Nov. 4, we brought an item to the full Board of Supervisors, who voted to take a proactive stand. The Board approved a resolution opposing offshore drilling and deep seabed mining, and agreed to join a revived coalition of California coastal jurisdictions working together to protect the state’s shoreline.
The move came in response to two federal executive orders signed earlier this year – the Unleashing American Energy Act in January and the Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources order in April. Both actions encouraged expanded offshore drilling and deep-sea mining, activities that could threaten fisheries, tourism, visitor-serving industries and the broader coastal economy. Yesterday (Nov. 20), the Trump administration put them into action, announcing plans to allow new oil and gas drilling across nearly 1.3 billion acres of U.S. coastal waters, including California.
The Board authorized $30,000 to support the Local Governments Outer Continental Shelf Coordination Program, which was formed in the 1980s and reestablished this year by Santa Cruz County. The initiative will be coordinated by longtime coastal advocate Richard Charter, a Bodega Bay resident and senior fellow with The Ocean Foundation. Participating jurisdictions receive regular briefings, coordinated advocacy with Congress and federal agencies, and science-based communication tools designed to help local governments respond quickly to emerging offshore proposals.
These new federal plans threaten our environment and our economy. We are proud to be part of a local government coalition that will stand together and fight back against offshore drilling
| | Seeking Applicants: Bring Your Voice to the West County Public Financing Authority | | |
In October, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution of Intention to create the West Sonoma County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) — a mouthful of a name, but in short, an EIFD is a financing tool that, without raising taxes, captures a portion of tax revenue growth and specifies that the funds return to West County to support needed infrastructure investments. Think safe roads, broadband, parks, and wildfire mitigation — all the pieces that create a more resilient, equitable, and thriving community.
Now, it’s time for the next step — and you might be part of it.
The County is currently accepting applications for two Public Member seats on the governing board of this new district — officially known as the Public Financing Authority (PFA). The PFA will be responsible for reviewing, adopting, and implementing the Infrastructure Financing Plan — making sure projects reflect local priorities and get across the finish line with transparency, community input, and a strong sense of public purpose.
If you care deeply about the future of West County and want to have seat at the table, you are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Friday, December 12, 2025.
As one of two public members on a five-person board (alongside three members of the Board of Supervisors), your voice will help guide how we reinvest a portion of local property tax growth back into our community. No new taxes. No added burden to property owners. Just smart, forward-thinking stewardship of local resources.
Whether your passion is infrastructure, environmental justice, community engagement, or economic development — this is your chance to help shape long-term investments in our collective future.
Ready to step up? Know someone who should?
| | Where Should Electric Vehicle (EV)
Chargers be installed? | | |
Sonoma County is mapping out the future of electric vehicle charging—and your input matters! Whether you already drive an EV or are just curious about going electric someday, Sonoma County wants to hear from you. There’s a new interactive map where you can drop a pin and share where charging stations are needed based on your current daily routines and your future needs.
This work is part of the County’s Equitable EV Charging Plan, aiming to ensure fair access across both urban and rural communities—especially in underserved areas. The survey is open through January 2026, and your feedback will help guide real investments under a state-funded climate and mobility initiative.
| | Help Name the 2026 Sonoma County Fair | |
Next summer, the Sonoma County Fair will celebrate the music, food, colors, and traditions of festivals and fiestas from around the world—plus an incredible “Floral Fandango! A Global Celebration” Flower Show bursting with international flair.
Now they need the perfect slogan to bring it all together!
How to Enter the Naming Contest:
Submit your best slogan idea for the 2026 Sonoma County Fair by November 30, 2025. Your slogan should be short, catchy, and easy to remember—just like past winners, such as: "Hot Dogs and Cool Cats", “Jurassic Jubilee”, and “Pets & Posies.” If your slogan is chosen, you’ll win:
- A Family Fair Pass (5 admissions and parking included!)
- A special gift basket filled with treats from around the world or a $100 gift card to World Market
Important Details:
- The contest closes on November 30, 2025.
- The winning slogan will be announced on January 1, 2026.
- If more than one person submits the same winning slogan, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.
- No more than 5 submissions per person, each slogan can be entered all at once or individually
| AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program Returning to Sebastopol's Veteran's Memorial Building | |
Supervisor Hopkins is pleased to share that the Board of Supervisors will sponsor the American AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide Program again this year with a fee waiver of $7,307 for use of the Sebastopol Veteran’s Memorial Building from January 30 through April 28, 2026.
This program offers no-cost tax preparation to low-income individuals and families, with a focus on folks 50 and older. Last year alone, AARP volunteers helped over 3,000 Sonoma County residents file their taxes — no small feat! The program receives no public funding and can only operate in venues that waive facility fees, so this support helps keep tax assistance accessible where it’s needed most.
| | Public Comment Open: Caltrans
Intersection Improvement Project | Caltrans, the State's road and highway agency, is proposing safety upgrades at the SR 116 and Green Valley Road intersection in Graton. The project would replace the current stop-controlled layout with either a signalized intersection or a single-lane roundabout. Both options aim to reduce collisions and improve travel through this key corridor. Caltrans has released the environmental study and is accepting public comments. The information below references a meeting that already took place, however public input is still being collected. Email comments to daniel.chan@dot.ca.gov by December 7. | | |
The Well Aware Toolkit is Here –
Start Saving Water Now!
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The Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) have launched a Well Aware Toolkit! This new interactive resource provides personalized water savings tips, programs, and rebates for groundwater users. The resource has guidance for all property types including residential, commercial, vineyards, golf courses, specialty crops, and pasture.
Users can input their own address, and find specific solutions for their property including:
• Customized water-saving strategies for your property
• Financial assistance programs to support water conservation
• Guidance from trusted local experts who understand our region’s needs
Groundwater is a critical resource in Sonoma County, supporting families, farms, and ecosystems. About 43,000 people within the groundwater sustainability boundaries and many local jobs in Sonoma County solely rely on groundwater supplies. Preserving this resource is critical to the long-term health of our region. Together, we can protect Sonoma County’s groundwater and build a sustainable future.
| | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | | | |
Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario
Monday, December 15, 8:30 - 9:30 AM
West County Services Center
16390 Main Street Suite B, Guerneville
District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito" drop-in office hours 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.
Todd Hunsdorfer, Clean Water Analyst & Ombudsperson joins us to help answer questions about septic systems and water quality regulations and Juan-Carlos Solis, Program Specialist, will also be here to answer any questions related to Sonoma Water.
Everyone is welcome; we look forward to seeing you!
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Sonoma County Coast Municipal Advisory Council
January 22, 2026
5:30 PM
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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonomacounty.gov
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