Letters to the Editor 6-30-16

Why Wohler Bridge Parking area is closed
EDITOR: I am writing this letter in response to the letter questioning why the Wohler Bridge Parking area, also known as Maxwell Grove, is closed to the public.
The Grove and surrounding areas are owned by the Sonoma County Water Agency. From October 1 to May 15 each year, the area is under the jurisdiction of Regional Parks, and the gate is open to the public. This allows fishermen to gain access to the gravel (and often muddy) boat ramp.  On May 15 of each year, the jurisdiction returns to the Water Agency and the gate is closed to the public. There is still a conservation easement, which allows people to picnic in the redwoods.  The “No Parking” signs along Wohler Road and Westside Road are due to the initiative of local residents who got fed up with people going to the river, parking along the roads and leaving a lot of trash behind.
During the summer months, my company Russian River Adventures, is the primary user of this area, and we are granted a permit annually through the Water Agency to access the river to haul out the thousands of people who raft the Russian with our company.  With last year’s construction of the new Water Education center at Wohler Bridge, the old fence and signage explaining when the park is open have been removed.  Replacement signage is not in place yet.  When our drivers try to nicely explain why the gates are closed, they often get a lot of verbal abuse and solo finger salutes.   Please cut us some slack. We’re just going about our job.
 
Larry Laba
Russian River Adventures
Healdsburg