On May 23, 2025, ECOS submitted a letter containing our comments on the scope and content of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the RiverArc Project.
Below is an excerpt.
Given the critical importance of developing a sustainable water supply under increasingly unpredictable environmental conditions, we support improving regional water resource coordination through such coalitions as the Water Forum. ECOS Water Committee supports the concept of environmental benefits to the Lower American River intended through implementation of this project.
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.
On July 23, 2024, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) sent our comments on the June 18, 2024 Revised Notice of Preparation Regional Water Bank to the Regional Water Authority.
On April 2, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui, Alex Padilla, Ami Bera and Laphonza Butler regarding Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.
Below is an excerpt from our letter.
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) strongly supports Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.
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Sacramento County seeks $2 million for technical, planning and design assistance for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project. The funds will be used to support County efforts to identify flood risk reduction measures, water recharge areas and project options, and habitat restoration opportunities along the lower Cosumnes River (including flood risk reductions that protect private water infrastructure). This multibenefit program will lead to significant improvements in flood protection and identify opportunities for additional habitat and water supply reliability benefits in the Lower Cosumnes River.
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).
