SacRT to modernize light rail system, increase train frequency to Folsom

Posted on August 15, 2019August 15, 2019 by Michelle Manning

August 14, 2019
Emily Hamann
Sacramento Business Journal

“Sacramento Regional Transit District is in the beginning stages of a multiyear, multimillion-dollar project to upgrade its light rail system, which will include more frequent service to Folsom.
Most of SacRT’s current light rail cars are reaching the end of their useful life, and will start costing SacRT more money in maintenance and repair costs. So SacRT is upgrading to new low-floor cars. The doors on low-floor cars are level with the street, which eliminates the need for elevated platforms at light rail stops.
Most of the state funding for the project is directed toward upgrading the Folsom line, which is aimed at reducing traffic congested corridors. Some of the funding is also coming from the settlement of a lawsuit between Caltrans and the Environmental Council of Sacramento. The environmentalist group had sued Caltrans over a plan to add carpool lanes on Highway 50. As part of an out-of-court settlement, Caltrans agreed to pay $7 million toward improving the Gold Line, which parallels the freeway. “

Read the full article here.

Seeking Nominations for Environmentalist of the Year 2019

Posted on August 8, 2019August 12, 2019 by Alexandra Reagan

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) first started hosting the Environmentalist of the Year Awards in 1973. The awards ceremony is a time to celebrate and recognize the past year’s regional champions and community sustainability successes. It is also a time to reflect on the work we still have in front of us in the year ahead. The reception includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and live music.

We are now accepting nominations for Environmentalist of the Year Awards 2019 for our event in the fall (Date TBA). Click here for a list of the past awardees. Does someone you know deserve to be recognized for their environmental work or lifestyle? How about a group, coalition or project? Their name could be added to this prestigious record of awardees! Please send the name of your nominee, a short biography about the person or group, and the reasons why you believe they deserve the award to office [at] ecosacramento [dot] net. Nominators will be entered to win a special prize! The deadline for nominations is September 2, 2019.

Click here to go to the main page for the Environmentalist of the Year Awards.

South American Subbasin Alternative Comments

Posted on July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 by Michelle Manning

July 25, 2019

Dear Mr. Eck:

As you are aware, ECOS and Habitat 2020 have been following the Sacramento Central Groundwater Authority’s (Authority) development of the South American Subbasin Alternative (South American Alternative), and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) review and decision regarding its acceptability under the terms and requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

The letter you received, dated July 17, 2019, from DWR’s Deputy Director Taryn Ravazzini, and the accompanying staff report, form a well-reasoned determination that the South American Alternative will not satisfy the requirements of SGMA. While the Authority is given thirty days to provide information to refute DWR’s findings, it seems that devoting time to this pursuit is not in the best interest of the Sacramento region and the Authority.
Ralph Propper and Rob Burness

Full letter here.