San Marin Neighborhood Meeting with Marin Water about MMWD Atomosphere River Capture Project and Upcoming Scoping Meetings March 25th and March 26th

Thank you to the 40+ neighbors for attending the meeting on March 12th about the proposed Marin Municipal Water District Atmospheric River Capture (ARC) Project. The project would build infrastructure connecting the Sonoma-Marin Aqueduct to Marin Water's Nicasio Reservoir which would allow for surplus water captured during atmospheric river events and high flows on the Russian River to be stored in Nicasio Reservoir for use later during dry periods for the Marin Water (not North Marin Water) Clients. Novato City Councilmember Kevin Jacobs , North Marin Water District (NMWD) Board of Director Mike Joly, NMWD Assistant GM Eric Miller and NUSD Director of Staff Housing Development Derek Knell attended the meeting.

MMWD Water Resource Director Paul Sellier and Water Resource Manager Lucy Croy introduced the proposed project which will include contruction of a 13.2 mile pipeline that runs from North Redwood Blvd (San Marin SMART station) to San Marin/Redwood through entire length of San Marin Drive to Novato Blvd (San Marin High) up Novato Blvd, pass Staffrod Lake, to Novato/Pt Reyes/Petaluma Road to Marin Water's Nicasio Reservior. The construction will be in phases and currently MMWD anticipates construction from 2027-2029 with aniticipated operation in 2030. (Picture is from slide 11 of the Power Point Presention) Per Mike Joly, NMWD is having ongoing discussions with MMWD since late 2025 about how Novato and San Marin residents will benefit from this project. Here is link to the Project Fact Sheet https://marinwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FACT-SHEET_Atmospheric-River-Capture-Project.pdf

And a link to the project website: marinwater.org/arcproject

The project requires CEQA process with environment review but will NOT need approval from City of Novato. The initial public comment period, regarding the scope and content of the EIR and Project alternatives to be considered, will be open until noon on April 13, 2026. https://marinwater.org/environmental-impact-report-to-be.../

Please see attached for a couple slides from the power point presentation and the Fact Sheet passed out at the SMIA community meeting on March 12th. Please attend the scoping meetings to learn more and provide feedback – this is part of their process to fullfile the requirements. Pleaes Share this with your neighbors who might not be on SMIA email list or FB.

MMWD is conducting two In-Person Scoping Meetings for interested parties to learn more about the project and provide comments on the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the Project’s EIR. Note: The information provided will be the same for both meetings.

* Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 PM

Novato Recreation Center – 950 7th Street, Novato or

* Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:30–6:30 PM

San Ramon Elementary School, Multipurpose Room – 45 San Ramon Way, Novato

The initial public comment period will be open until noon on April 13, 2026. Comments must be submitted before the deadline and may be provided in one of the following ways:

By email to:

arcproject@marinwater.org

Subject: ARC Project public comment

By U.S. postal mail to:

Marin Water

Attn: ARC Project

220 Nellen Ave.

Corte Madera, CA 94925

This will have a significant impact on San Marin Drive for a long period of time and it is important that you are informed and involved.

If you would like to join SMIA email list, please email info@San-Marin.org

Thank you,

San Marin Improvement Association

Please attend an important Neighborhood Meeting to Learn About “Marin Water Pipeline Proposal”, which will affect San Marin Drive.  Lucy Croy, Water Resource Manager of the Marin Water will present with her team. The meeting is scheduled for 7pm, Thursday, March 12^th at All Saints Church, 2 San Marin Drive, Novato   

Marin Water is beginning environmental review for a proposed water supply resiliency project that would involve constructing new pipeline and pump station infrastructure in Novato, including along San Marin Drive to connect existing facilities already located in the area.

Called the Atmospheric River Capture (ARC) Project, the proposal would allow Marin Water to store excess winter water captured during key storm events from the Russian River for later use in dry years. To do this, the Marin Water would construct a new 13.2-mile pipeline and supporting facilities that link existing infrastructure in Novato near Hwy 101 with Nicasio Reservoir.

Because portions of the proposed pipeline route would pass through the San Marin neighborhood, Marin Water is holding a special community meeting for members of the San Marin Improvement Association to provide early information on the project. The meeting will introduce the project, share maps of the proposed construction areas, and provide opportunities to answer community questions.  

To learn more about the project, please visit: marinwater.org/ARCproject

We look forward to seeing you at our neighborhood meeting Thursday, March 12th at 7pm.