Category Archives: ECOS Updates

Harvest Water Talk with ECOS Water Committee, 4/8/2025

Please join the ECOS Water Committee on April 8, 2025 at 5:30 pm over zoom for a special guest presentation and discussion about the Harvest Water Program. Jofil Borja, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Manager, and John Nurmi, Senior Civil Engineer, of the Sacramento Area Sewer District, will be presenting this deep dive into a large, local infrastructure project. Harvest Water will bring high quality recycled water (tertiary treated recycled water from the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility) to the southern portion of Sacramento County for use in irrigating agricultural and existing habitat lands.

The project represents a long-term solution for future drought conditions by reducing the pressure on local groundwater aquifer stores by up to 50,000 acre feet per year, equivalent to 16 billion gallons per year, which is equivalent to roughly 2000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Harvest Water is currently under construction and is anticipated to be operational in 2027. By reducing the amount of groundwater pumped by farmers, it is anticipated that the groundwater aquifer can be restored to historic levels. This would bring a number of ecosystem benefits to the region including improvements in riparian and wetland habitat and increased streamflows in the Consumnes River. These benefits will enhance the habitats of various listed species including Sandhill crane, Swainson’s hawk, and fall-run Chinook salmon.

More info

Harvest Water Website
Harvest Water Ecosystem Benefits

To join the meeting

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

2024 ECOS Annual Highlights

Dear ECOS Community,

ECOS has achieved much this past year and I’d like to express my thanks to you for your time, effort, and financial support during 2024. Without you, ECOS would not be as effective in advocacy as it is today.

We still have a long way to go in our region to contain sprawl, build transit and infill housing, preserve open space, ensure equity and environmental health, and achieve net-zero carbon by 2045. Changes at the federal level obviously are making it even more challenging.

Since ECOS was founded in 1971, it has fostered a community of organizations and individuals dedicated to protecting the environment and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Over the years, we’ve earned a respected voice in the Sacramento. I am honored to have served as President of the Board from 2022 to 2024.

On January 1, 2025, we welcomed former Mayor Heather Fargo as our new president. Her experience in moving public opinion has already increased our effectiveness, particularly on the campaign to oppose proposed developments on farmland in Natomas.

ECOS increased its capacity by hiring a policy analyst in July and a part-time GIS policy/admin staff member, at the start of 2025.

As you read this Annual Report, please consider making a financial contribution to ECOS. Become a sponsor of Sacramento Earth Day now through April 27.

Sincerely yours,
Susan Herre AIA AICP
Immediate Past President of the Board

Annual Report

New! Streets for People Draft Plan – Comments due 4/6/2025

New! Sacramento’s Streets for People Draft Plan is out! We want to make it easier for everyone to choose walking, rolling, or biking for the short trips they take every day.

Sacramento’s Streets for People Draft Plan is available for review through April 6. You can comment on the Plan in the link below or by sending staff a comment.

Part two will include completing the Streets for People Active Transportation Plan, with the public review of the Draft Plan available March 5 through April 6, and Plan adoption in summer 2025.

Comment on the draft plan at sacstreetsforpeople.org.

Climate Change Speaker Series

Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Sacramento/Roseville is partnering with the Climate Reality Project to host several Zoom presentations to keep you current with how tools to fight climate change will be impacted by the Trump administration.

Read more and register here.

  • 3/24, 6 pm – Tariffs for the Climate
  • 3/27, 6 pm – SMUD’s March to Carbon Zero in 2030
  • 3/31, 6 pm – Climate Change and your Wallet
  • 4/7, 6 pm – How to talk about Climate Change so People will Listen

Truxel Bridge comment letter, February 18, 2025

Submitted via electronic mail – February 18, 2025

RE: City Hall Special Meeting, Discussion Item #1 — Truxel Bridge Concept and Feasibility Study

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) applauds City Staff for their efforts to increase multimodal connectivity and bicycling and pedestrian transit routes in Sacramento. Such efforts are fundamental to Sacramento’s transition towards accessible, green infrastructure and to achieve regional air quality, VMT, and climate goals. As such, ECOS generally supports this project, but urges the Council to strongly consider pursuing the Northgate Boulevard-location alternative, as it is a more appropriate setting for transit-friendly (re)development. Because 160 already has a bridge cross the river, it would provide the desired connection decades before a new bridge, and provide a second river crossing above the floodway (in addition to I-5) for Natomas residents.

Click here to view our letter in full.