FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Russian River Sisters Say "Low Flow" means "No Cash Flow"

A move by Sonoma County to save fish prompts Sisters into actions to save donations

January 26, 2004 -- Guerneville, CA.  The Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence question the wisdom of the Sonoma County Water Agency’s (SCWA) proposal to reduce the summertime flow of the Russian River by as much as 80%. The proposed change is under the auspices of a federal mandate to improve the habitat for threatened fish species. The SCWA claims the use of this unproven plan will help improve the fish habitat.

 

But the Sisters feel experience has proven otherwise, referring to reports by the Oregon Natural Resource Council and a January 2003 CA Department of Fish and Game study on the Klamath River. These reports showed that low flow water levels led to the deaths of an estimated 33,000 salmon and steelhead trout, and went on to state that the losses could have been prevented by higher levels of water.
The Sisters are concerned that what happened in the Klamath River will happen here. Since the effectiveness of the low-flow method is unproven, the Sisters question if the real objective here is protecting the endangered fish species or profiting from selling river water to neighboring counties.
 

“Reducing the flow of water in the Russian River will have disastrous effects, not just to the immediate Russian River area but to the entire county. Our county is very dependent on the tourist industry and the Russian River waterway is its backbone, attracting visitors from far and wide,” said Sr. Sparkle Plenty.
 

The Sisters, through their own fundraising efforts and in cooperation with other organizations have helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, which have benefited over 30 local charitable organizations seriously impacted by the current fiscal crisis. A good example of how tourist dollars benefit both local merchant and non-profit coffers is the annual Lazy Bear Weekend, where thousands of tourists from around the world come to enjoy the Russian River. During the 2003 Lazy Bear Weekend, an estimated 5700 tourists visited the Russian River area and donated over $110,000 to local charities. During this same weekend these visitors additionally spent over four million dollars at local businesses, inns and restaurants.
 

“Since our summertime fundraisers and ever popular monthly Bingo games are geared for tourists, we stand to lose many thousands of dollars that could be given to the charities we work for.” Sr. Sparkle continued.
The Sisters are also concerned about the potential of loss of jobs to area residents, citing a report by the SCWA on the economic impact of the proposal. The study used only one business on the river yet claims it is a model for all the businesses. The study appears to raise many more questions than it addresses.
 

“The loss of tourist trade would no doubt create a great number of social and economic problems in our community. There are many hard working citizens who rely on the jobs from the tourist industry. This is not an area conducive for industry other than tourism,” stated Sr. Barbi Mitzvah.

The Sisters believe the preliminary report data does not accurately address the loss of jobs, charitable donations and revenue from the tourist industry, and the long-term effects these losses would have on the community. The Sisters hope that the County will take into consideration further studies to avoid moving forward with what appears to be a win-lose proposition.
 

“The County needs to move forward with accurate data, listen to its constituents and come to a compromise of Fish and Man winning together. There is indeed a way for us all to cohabit together,” informed Sr. Barbi Mitzvah.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a 100% volunteer-driven 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Sisters raise funds for worthy groups without regard to race, gender, age, religious belief or sexual orientation. For more information, please go to www.rrsisters.org.