After returning from Glasgow this month, Michael Paparian will provide us with a report on the November 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). Michael Paparian has served as Sierra Club California State Director, and as Executive Director of the California Pollution Control Financing Authority; he gave us a report after returning from the Paris Climate Accords in 2015.
Zoom Link to join meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81865377865 | Call-in: 1-669-900-6833
Our late October rains have allowed the salmon to come back up the river!
California Fish & Wildlife’s Interpretive Services Supervisor will show us their new and improved fish ladder.
Now with 9 large viewing windows –
A great way to see the salmon swim and jump their way into the Nimbus Hatchery.
First come, first served – reserve now; due to covid, only ten visitors on this first CDFW tour.
Our tour will explore the following features:
• River discovery trail and observation deck with view of natural spawning processes
• Nimbus Basin, habitat restoration, and the ladder entrance
Logistics and Accessibility
• If driving, you can park free at 2001 Nimbus Rd. Our tour host will meet us where the parking lot meets the trail.
• No bathrooms available. Closest bathrooms at the nearby Tributary Point shopping center.
• The river discovery trail is about a quarter mile long and flat.
• Nimbus basin is best accessed by walking across the crosswalk at Hazel Ave: 5 min walk from the visitor center. Or for a shorter walk, park at the Sac State Aquatic Center (paid parking).
• It’s a semi-steep incline into the Basin and the restored habitat areas and ladder entrance.
COVID protocols
• Maintain social distancing throughout the tour
• Masks outdoors are your preference
Image from Wikipedia Commons at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Hatchery_guards.jpg
Join ECOS for our monthly Land Use Committee meeting on November 29, 2021 at 6:00pm to answer the following questions: How should we create incentives to encourage infill development in Sacramento County? What is the potential for infill development here? What are barriers to overcome, and how can we support more infill development?
The Sacramento County has received a $360,000 Grant to develop incentives for infill development projects. We’ve been asked to provide ideas on how the County could incentivize infill.
We will discuss the prospects and advantages of sustainable infill development in the Sacramento area. Mogavero Architects will also participate in the discussion.
1) Todd Taylor, County Associate Planner, will present the tasks outlined in the Grant, and the work plan’s general timeline.
2) Sotiris Kolokotronis, founder of SKK Development, will provide the perspective of a leading developer of urban core projects.
Link to join meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/543524123
Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS from Pexels
Transportation Talk: November 8th 2021
Register for 350 Sacramento’s Transportation Talk to hear from the City of Sacramento’s Transportation Planning Manager, Jennifer Donlon Wyant. Monday, November 8th from 6:00-7:00pm! Co-hosted by ECOS! Click here to register: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/YOQ8-scFzjWh1kODVQ8FeA
Learn about: Sacramento’s Transportation Priorities Plan
Over 50% of Sacramento’s GHGs are from transportation and the City has about $5 billion in unfunded transportation needs. The Transportation Priorities Plan (TPP) will develop a prioritized list of transportation investments based on agreed upon values. The City completed Phase 1 of the TPP, engaging Sacramento’s communities about their transportation values. Jennifer will present the summary of community engagement and recommended prioritization criteria based on community values.
Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels
The principal topic for ECOS’s Transportation, Air Quality and Climate Change Committee (TAQCC) meeting this Thursday, Nov. 4th will be will be an effort led by the Sacramento business community to put a transportation sales tax measure on the November 2022 ballot using a citizens initiative process. We understand that this measure would be very similar to Measure A+ prepared by the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) in 2020 but withdrawn before the election, and would require only a simple majority for passage. Roger Dickinson and Steve Cohn will provide us with details about this initiative.
Link to join this Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85805612058
To phone in: 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 858 0561 2058
In addition, Susan Herre (ECOS President-Elect) will present a proposed reorganization of ECOS committees, with the goal of making ECOS a more effective organization.
Image from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=382425&picture=clouds-sky-blue-cumulus
On October 27, 2021, ECOS sent a letter to the City of Sacramento in support of its application for a Sustainable
Transportation Planning Grant for its 15-Minute Neighborhoods Plan.
Dear Mr. Chan,
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) supports the City of Sacramento in its application for Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant for its 15-Minute Neighborhoods Plan.
We served on the Mayors’ Climate Change Commission’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. As you know, the prioritization of active transportation, then transit and shared mobility, and then zero-emission vehicles was unanimously adopted. This prioritization, coupled with housing around transit, would reduce GHG emissions, increase affordable housing with good local and regional access to shops and jobsites, improve air quality, and improve physical safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Over half of Sacramento’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are from the transportation sector. The City’s proposed 15-Minute Neighborhoods Plan will set the stage for increased transit use, walking and biking — travel modes that are essential to reduce GHG and meet our climate goals.
Sacramento’s topography is relatively flat and its neighborhoods are interconnected – these are two necessary but not sufficient preconditions for a large shift to walking and biking for daily errands and for job commutes. Neighborhood studies show that slowing driving is a big concern.
The City’s 15-Minute Neighborhoods Plan will calm the entire network of neighborhood streets to make comfortable places to walk, bike, and scoot. Calmer streets will encourage more trips by active transportation, helping the city to meet its goals around sustainability, speed reduction for cars and trucks, community health, and thriving local businesses. The City’s 15-minute Neighborhoods Plan will further the following:
• The City’s Climate Action Plan;
• The City’s commitment to equitable processes by engaging neighborhood communities about their needs;
• Economic vitality of our retail and restaurants within and next to neighborhoods;
• Affordable and efficient access to jobsites, parks, and schools.Sincerely,
Ralph Propper
ECOS President
Mailing address: PO Box 1526, Sacramento, CA 95812
Email: office [at] ecosacramento [dot] net
909 12th St., Suite 203, Sacramento, CA 95814