NMWD Director representing the Stafford Lake watershed

I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the North Marin Water District Board (NMWD) last year. This is the first time anyone from the upstream watershed has served on the NMWD Board of Directors. I have lived in Novato my entire life. My Grandfather’s first ranch in the valley was established in 1906. My Father was born in 1912 in the middle of what is now Stafford Lake. I have worked in the North Bay Area since graduating from UC Davis. I am a registered Civil Engineer and have been a partner in a local firm, CSW Stuber Stroeh Engineering Group for the past 20 years. In addition, I have assisted in managing our family Black Angus Ranch located within the watershed of Stafford Lake. As an engineer I have designed and overseen many infrastructure projects for cities, counties and independent agencies in the Bay Area along with assisting in developing collaborations between various agencies and water departments. As a rancher, my family and I have exercised a strong and dedicated stewardship of the land, started and practiced by my grandfather, since the early 1900’s. Bioretention, Erosion Control, Protection of Riparian Streams and Sustainable Rangeland Practices have always been at the forefront of our cattle operations.

Growing up in a large family with many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Novato Area throughout West Marin has afforded me the ability to understand the challenges and issues we face in North and West Marin today as they relate to NMWD. Among them:

• Provision of Clean, High Quality and Safe water at a reasonable cost.
• Promotion of Conservation practices and a viable Recycling system.
• Emergency and Contingency Plans for Earthquakes, Wildland Fires and Drought.
• Plan for and provide additional water sources and storage capacities.
  • 80% of our Novato water comes from the Russian River and 20% comes from Stafford Lake.
  • 100% of our West Marin water originates in 2 wells one of which will be impacted by salt water intrusion due to “Sea Level Rise” in the near future.
• Support a Capital Improvement Program to replace aging Infrastructure. Some of our pipes are 60 years old.
• Encouragement of beneficial stewardship of open spaces in collaboration with landowners.

Having served on the Board for over a year and having worked with the Professional District Staff for a longer period, I am asking for your vote on November 6th. Any help would be very much appreciated.

I am a Civil Engineer and Rancher, not an experienced politician, and I believe in elected officials representing their constituents, so please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to representing you for the next four years.

Jim Grossi

Director

North Marin Water District