Accounting System for the Regional Water Bank

On August 3, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter to the Regional Water Authority to suggest a meeting to discuss efforts to develop an Accounting System for the Regional Water Bank. Below is an excerpt.

We are interested in learning about how effective the 2012 Accounting Framework was in tracking and accounting for groundwater transactions within the bank, and which aspects of the 2012 Framework may be included in the new Regional Water Bank Accounting Framework currently in development. We are also interested in discussing how the requirements of SGMA will be incorporated in the Framework. Also, we suspect that the expanded monitoring and modeling of both the North and South American subbasins has provided additional sophistication and understanding of how groundwater moves within and between these subbasins. We would like to hear your plans for including this added technical understanding of subbasin operations into the accounting framework. We would also like to learn how you plan to account for any deposited ground water losses, and ideas you are considering regarding the use of portions of deposits to address groundwater dependent ecosystem needs, and, as a set asides to improve basin storage. Finally, the 2012 framework seemed to establish pumping levels for participants tied to water years. Is this approach one you are considering going forward, and would any resulting pumping agreements be included in Individual Purveyor Agreements established as part of the Water Forum 2 process?

Click here to read the letter (PDF).

Streets for People: Sacramento Active Transportation Plan

About the Plan

Streets for People: Sacramento Active Transportation Plan is a planning effort that will focus on identifying improvements for people walking, biking, and rolling (i.e., wheeled mobility devices used by people with disabilities, strollers, scooters, skateboards, etc.) throughout the City of Sacramento.

The plan will address active transportation needs citywide but will focus engagement and recommendations in areas of high need and historical disinvestment. The plan focus areas include South Sacramento, North Sacramento, and Fruitridge/ Broadway. Scroll down to learn more about the project.

The outcome will be a plan that will guide future infrastructure investments citywide and will direct what types of investments are made for walking, biking and rolling.

To learn more, visit the City’s website by clicking here.

Public Input Map

Tell the City how you walk, bike, and roll around the City!

Are there any safety or connectivity concerns you have when walking, biking, or rolling in Sacramento?

Click here to give your input.

Time to Wake Up 289: Rising Tides, Rising Temps

July 26, 2023

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, delivered his 289th speech on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to wake up to the threat of climate change.

“If we’re going to invest in roads, how are we going to offset those goals with our goals for (the environment)?”

By Robin Epley | July 21, 2023 | The Sacramento Bee

“They’re not wrong that the road conditions in Sacramento, all over the county, are bad,” Sam Rice told me. “(But) roads degrade, that’s what they do.” Rice is the transportation team lead for the Environmental Council of Sacramento and sits on the board for the Sacramento Metro Advocates for Rail and Transit, where he advises the city of Sacramento and other communities on how the future of transportation can co-exist with smart climate policy. “Road investment in the past has always been something that we simply did out of habit and it’s something that I feel, in the future, we should be thinking of in the context of complete streets,” Rice said. “If we’re going to invest in roads, how are we going to offset those goals with our goals for (the environment)?”

STA Mtg: Future Transportation Funding 8/10

On August 10, 2023, the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) will receive information on the activities of the future transportation funding subcommittee and related efforts. This item is number 9 on the agenda. Please attend!

Access the agenda and more here: https://agendanet.saccounty.gov/SacramentoTransportationAuthority/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=8246&doctype=1

Supporting Documents

Item 9 – Staff Report Future Funding Report Out.docx

Item 9 – ATT 1 PPT Previous Funding Efforts.pdf

Item 9 – ATT 2 PPT SACOG Presentation for STA.pdf

Item 9 – ATT 3 STA Cover Letter and GHG Overview Memo.pdf

Sacramento County doesn’t postpone 2030 climate goal — for now

Kristin Lam | July 12, 2023 | Capital Public Radio

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday didn’t postpone a carbon neutrality goal after dozens of climate activists pushed back against proposed changes.

County staff had recommended the board change the goal from 2030 to no later than 2045 in order to match state plans, make the timeline more achievable and reduce the risk of lawsuits.

Instead of approving or rejecting the suggested update, the board asked staff to present another version of the climate emergency declaration in late September or early October. In a 3-1 vote, with Supervisor Sue Frost abstaining, the board requested revisions including adding a requirement to measure progress on reducing emissions every five years.

Click here to read or listen to the full article.