Guest Column Sonoma County Alliance

Because of its diversity, SCA is in a unique position to influence change and be a forum for important conversations to preserve the quality of life we enjoy.

Since 1975, Sonoma County Alliance (SCA) has been instrumental in identifying, monitoring and weighing in on various issues impacting the county. SCA has helped guide interested parties toward consensus on actions designed to improve the economy, protect the environment, enhance the county’s infrastructure and support education while identifying ways to improve the quality of life in Sonoma County.

SCA provides leadership on crucial business and community issues by providing a forum and engaging in advocacy. It does this through its committees and by educating members through monthly membership meetings.

Originally, six groups came together to form the Sonoma County Alliance. In 1975, the Board of Realtors, Farm Bureau, Tax Payers Association, Construction Industry Association (which later became the Builders Industry Association), Carpenters Council and Operating Engineers Union realized the importance of joining forces to create an alliance from a diverse group of stakeholders. Today’s Sonoma County Alliance is a broad-based organization reflecting virtually every sector of society, including representatives from business, nonprofits, public safety, public employees and elected officials. Its goal is to protect the economic vitality of Sonoma County while maintaining a healthy environment. The diversity of its membership is what makes us effective in creating change.

The original focus of SCA was to pass the Warm Springs Dam ballot initiative and to build Lake Sonoma. This took two election cycles to receive majority approval of the electorate. Today, Warm Springs Dam provides flood control, a hydroelectric plant, drinking water supply and recreation, as well as a hatchery and flow for fish migration in Dry Creek.

In subsequent years, SCA worked with the city of Santa Rosa to study required upgrades to its sewer treatment plant and to develop a viable alternative to discharging wastewater into the Russian River. This process took almost 20 years, with the 42-mile Geysers pipeline built as an environmentally sound solution to a community problem.

Culminating in 2004, SCA was instrumental in gathering support for the passage of Measure M—the Traffic Relief Act. This let the Sonoma County Transportation Authority obtain matching funds for widening Highway 101, local street projects, bicycle and pedestrian projects and the passenger rail program.

Over its 40 years, SCA has been involved in land use issues, being a voice for common sense in the local planning process. It was involved in the General Plan updates and Community Separator creation. It continues to encourage all parts of its community to come together to solve difficult issues.

These efforts have been spearheaded by SCA committees with a focus on infrastructure (groundwater management and county planning process), transportation (air, rail and roads), environmental (solid waste, drought and alternative power), membership (recruitment and retention), education (career readiness and technical education) and public safety through Take Back Our Community (reward program to aid in capture of known criminals).

Because of its diversity, SCA is in a unique position to influence change and be a forum for important conversations to preserve the quality of life we enjoy. In 2015, its focus will be on continuing its work with stewardship, intention and leadership in Sonoma County. Stewardship uses SCA members’ love and sense of belonging to this beautiful place we call home, to preserve the quality of life we enjoy. How can we be good stewards of this land, our resources, gifts and talents to ensure the same are available for future generations? We believe we do that with intention. What are our motives? What drives us? Do we care about our community and making it a safe and prosperous place for the next generations to grow into? And how do we use our leadership to influence public policy, projects and decisions that impact many generations to come? How do we each become a leader in whatever area is important to us? We believe if you can see the problem, you are probably part of the solution. Join us in working together to make our community the best we can be.