2024

Join us Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Zoom for this presentation, followed by the ECOS Board meeting at 7:00 pm.

Protecting and Enhancing the Cosumnes Watershed

The Cosumnes Watershed is an integral component in our Region’s water supplies. The Cosumnes River and its tributaries play a critical role in preserving the south county ecosystem, agricultural base, and rural lifestyle. The river also plays a critical role in regional groundwater management.

Join ECOS on March 26 from 6 until 7 pm to learn about this Iconic Watershed’s geography and values. Melinda Frost-Hurzel, Cosumnes Coalition Coordinator, will discuss the open space, habitat and working land preservation/stewardship initiatives underway. She will also describe the work being done along the Cosumnes River and its tributaries to preserve and enhance these resources as well as the groundwater subbasins that are supported by the system.

Michael Wackman, General Manager of the Omochumne-Hartnell Water District which is also a Groundwater Sustainability Agency in both the South American and Cosumnes groundwater subbasins will highlight how the sustainable Groundwater Management Act is being implemented in the region. He will outline the status of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, progress being made on the projects and management actions to maintain or restore the two subbasins to sustainability; and the role of groundwater modeling and monitoring, and the partnerships that are forming to carry out these important actions.

Melinda and Michael will conclude with a summary of the issues and hurdles the South County faces regarding water resources and what ECOS can do to help. Bring your issues, questions, and ideas. Please join the conversation.

To Join

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

SACOG Land Use & Natural Resources Committee Meeting 3/7/2024

Please tune into the SACOG Land Use & Natural Resources Committee Meeting – Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 1:30 PM, SACOG Board Room, 1415 L Street, Sacramento 95814.

Of particular interest:

Item 2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Application: Grant Support and Subrecipient Commitment
Item 4. 2025 Blueprint: Housing Product Type Demand Trends
Item 5. Phase One 2025 Blueprint Outreach Results and Principles

Comments on the draft American River Common Feature, 2016 Flood Risk Management Project

On February 23, 2024, ECOS submitted our comments on the draft American River Common Feature, 2016 Flood Risk Management Project (project) Sacramento, California Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR).

Click here to view our letter.

ECOS Letter to the City of Sacramento re Natomas and the General Plan, Feb 12, 2024

On February 12, 2024, ECOS sent a letter to the City of Sacramento to follow up on the Natomas Basin discussion in the context of the City’s General Plan Update at the Jan 25, 2024 Planning and Design Commission Meeting.

Click here to view the letter.

Sacramento County Climate Action Plan: ECOS Comments, Jan 2024

On January 31, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Todd Smith, Planning Director of Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review, regarding the Notice of Preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting for the Sacramento County Climate Action Plan.

ECOS offers two comments on the subject document, summarized below. Please see our letter for supporting information.

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) and SEIR should be complete, that is, they should show how carbon neutrality will be achieved in the County in whatever year the County believes is realistic.
We know that land use and transportation are the keys to GHG emissions reduction. Therefore, the CAP and SEIR should include alternatives or scenarios showing three levels and locations of development – mostly greenfield, some greenfield/some infill, and mostly infill – similar the SACOG’s three Pathways for our region that were discussed by the jurisdictions last summer.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Environmental Community Based Representation on Groundwater Sustainability Agency Boards

On January 29, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Boards in the Sacramento Area about Environmental Community Based Representation.

Below is an excerpt of the letter.

Groundwater management has taken a huge step forward with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) throughout California. The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) is very supportive of the Sacramento Area GSA efforts to develop and begin implementation of their Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) and feels the Region has done a good job of working through a multitude of technical issues. ECOS believes implementation of these GSPs requires close coordination between the GSAs, water purveyors, and the public as evidenced by our comments on the GSP annual reports to the State. One way coordination can be improved is through the inclusion of broader representation on GSA Boards of Directors.

Click here to read the letter.