This is the first in a series of informational water forums geared for grape growers in the Russian River Watershed area. The next grower meetings are scheduled for February 1 and 15, and March 1. Details on location and time will be announced soon.

The January 11, forum will be held at the Mary Agatha Furth Center located at 8400 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor. The Furth Center is located in the Lady of Guadalupe church. Parking and entrance in the back.

Register for this meeting by January 9 at: www.sonomawinegrape.org/frostprotection-jan2011.  For more information, contact Karen at 707-522-5862 or ipm@sonomawinegrape.org.

The forum will feature:

1. An informational session on the salmonid lifecycle and fish counting process presented by Sean White, GM for the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District.

2. An introduction to stream flow monitoring and overview of the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) California Land Stewardship Insitute (CLSI) recently received and the series of grower workshops planned for the next few months. This segment will be presented by Laurel Marcus, Executive Director of CLSI and Fish Friendly Farming Program.

3. How to comply with new water right reporting requirements and a review of what data is required to be maintained in order to be in compliance with a water right permit or license. Presented by Paula Whealen of Wagner & Bonsignore, Consulting Civil Engineers.