Committees
The ECOS Policy Committees are an essential part of the organization. ECOS Committee meetings are generally open to the public but in order to serve and vote on an ECOS Committee, you must be an ECOS member.
Below is a description of each of the committees. Committees meet once a month. Much of our work is supported and enriched by committee involvement.
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Transportation, Air Quality & Climate Change
The Transportation, Air Quality & Climate Change Committee supports policies and projects that:
- provide all residents of the Sacramento region with pedestrian, bicycle and transit access to jobs, schools, shopping, services and recreation
- provide adequate and efficient goods movement and support the provision of local goods and services over those requiring long distance transport
- protect and strengthen local communities, towns and urban centers from the corrosive effects of traffic while promoting equity and opportunity for all residents
- minimize impacts on and use of the land, air and water
- minimize the consumption of limited resources and reduce pollution and noise
- encourage land uses that minimize travel requirements
- eliminate transportation subsidies which handicap achievement of the above goals
- ensure vigorous and effective public participation in transportation planning
See Also:
Transportation Policy
These documents are in Acrobat PDF format.
Click on image for a free copy of Acrobat Reader
to read and print it.
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Land Use Planning & Utilities
The Land Use Planning & Utilities Committee supports policies and projects that:
- promote infill development and take advantage of existing community assets by accommodating additional growth in already developed areas
- foster walkable, close-knit neighborhoods through a system of fully connected streets, pedestrian paths and bicycle routes
- promote distinctive, attractive and safe communities with a strong sense of place
- mix land uses either vertically or at the appropriate scale horizontally within projects to create vibrant urban places
- promote rehabilitation and use of historic buildings
- promote distinguished design of the public realm
- emphasize a pedestrian and ecological focus
- promote social equity in residential, commercial, recreational and transportation usage
- create a range of housing options and choices, including diverse affordable housing choice
- provide and strengthen a variety of transportation options promoting walking, biking, and transit
- support appropriate and safe reuse and redevelopment of brownfields
- preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
- discourage urban sprawl and the associated infrastructure costs, car dependence, environmental degradation, social isolation, and public transit inefficiency
See Also:
View Land Use Committee Minutes and Agendas
Local Land Use Initiative Policy
Smart Growth Leadership Recognition Program
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Habitat & Conservation
The Habitat & Conservation Committee, Habitat 2020, works to preserve wild and agricultural open spaces. Habitat 2020's mission is to protect the lands and waters of the Sacramento region where wildlife and native plants live. This committee has also spearheaded the Heartland Project, a regional conservation vision seeking a network of habitat corridors between existing and future preserves. Habitat 2020 is a coalition of local environmental organizations, including: Sacramento Audubon Society, Sierra Club Sacramento Group, California Native Plant Society, Urban Creeks Council, Friends of the Swainson's Hawk, Save Our Sandhill Cranes, and others.
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Solid Waste & Waste Water
This ad-hoc committee meets on an as-needed basis (i.e., not monthly) and focuses on local solid waste and waste water issues.
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ECOS Event Planning - Sacramento Earth Day & ECOS Fall Festival
ECOS coordinates the popular Sacramento Earth Day Celebration in April each year. ECOS also hosts a celebration in the fall. Every fall since the early 1970s, ECOS has presented the Environmentalist of the Year Awards to individuals and/or organizations that have made major contributions to the region's environment over the previous year. In Fall 2008, ECOS will host the first annual ECOS Fall Festival, which will include the Environmentalist of the Year Awards as well as numerous other fun and family-oriented activities. The ECOS Event Planning Committee plays a vital role in developing the vision for and then coordinating these events. Committee members discuss ideas for the event and help with event planning.
For more information, contact:
ECOS Program Director Jaclyn Hopkins
916-444-0022
programs@ecosacramento.net