I am a resident of Lower Mill Street in Guerneville, California. Consecutively, these past 2 years, our neighborhood experiences severe flooding. On days when there is a torrential downpour and Fife Creek is moderately flowing or forecasted to receive 3" inches of rain, we are left with 6" inches - 5' feet of water on our streets. Our homes and streets are inundated with sediment, debris and trash from the flood waters of Fife Creek. This excessive flooding not only disrupts our daily lives but also poses significant risks to public safety and property. 

Fife Creek's current condition exacerbates these issues. Over time, sediment accumulation has reduced the creek's capacity to handle heavy rainfall effectively. Dredging – the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of a body of water – is a proven method for improving water flow and reducing flood risk.

According to data from Sonoma County Water Agency, Fife Creek has not been dredged for over two decades (source: Sonoma County Water Agency). This lack of maintenance has left us vulnerable during periods of heavy rainfall. Furthermore, studies show that regular dredging can significantly reduce flooding incidents by up to 60% (source: Journal on Flood Risk Management).

We urge Sonoma County officials to prioritize the dredging of Fife Creek in their environmental management plans. By doing so, they will be taking an essential step towards safeguarding our community against future floods and bringing wildlife back to Fife Creek.

We are calling on the residents of Guerneville and concerned citizens everywhere to join us in urging our local government to take action on this issue. Please sign this petition today and help us make Guerneville safer for everyone who calls it home.