ECOS Water Committee presentation: the RiverArc Project

The Water Committee will be hosting a short presentation and discussion regarding a major regional water supply project for our region – RiverArc – at its August 12 meeting from 5:30 until 6:30.

Join us by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 to learn more about the project and then join in on a discussion of what important topics/issues we believe need to be addressed in the project’s environmental impact analysis. The Project proponents and consultants will be available to discuss both the project and our environmental concerns.

RIVER ARC PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The RiverArc partners (City of Sacramento, Placer County Water Agency [PCWA], City of Roseville, and Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) are proposing the RiverArc Project to support water supply and environmental benefits in the Sacramento Region.

The proposed project would shift a portion of existing and planned regional water demand from the Lower American River to the Sacramento River. To accomplish this shift, the proposed project would divert water through the existing NMWC Pritchard Lake Diversion intake facility at RM 75.15 on the Sacramento River, deliver the river water via a new raw water pipeline to a new regional Water Treatment Plant, and distribute the treated surface water east and south through new and existing pipelines to service areas of the RiverArc partners. See more details here: https://www.riverarcproject.com/

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will include a project-level analysis for the initial construction and operation phase of the proposed project (Phase I) and a program-level analysis for later project expansion phases (Future Phases). This approach allows for the initial phase to proceed through the permitting process and to construction in the near future, whereas the program-level analysis will appropriately reflect the more preliminary level of design pertaining to the future expansion phases. See the Notice of Preparation (NOP) here: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/dou/utilities/projects/RiverArc_NOP_Final.pdf

ECOS Comments on scope and content of the EIR for the RiverArc Project

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.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Action Alert: Sutter’s Land Park Master Plan Community Meeting, 12/12/2024

Thursday, December 12, 2024 — 6-8 PM
Clunie Clubhouse at McKinley Park (Alhambra Blvd at F Street)
Sacramento, California

The City of Sacramento is updating its Master Plan for Sutter’s Landing Park, which sits adjacent to the American River Parkway.

Sutter’s Landing Park provides tremendous opportunities to connect Sacramento area residents with nature and protect vital habitat for imperiled wildlife species including Swainson’s hawks, Peregrine falcons, Red-tailed hawks, Meadowlarks, Northern Harriers, and many others.

The Master Plan will help determine the fate of nearly 200 acres of existing wildlife areas that are an important part of the upland habitat along the American River and improvements to other portions of the park that currently provide active recreation.

“The Mound” portion of the Park (pictured in the foreground) is the largest habitat area along the southern portion of the American River within the City of Sacramento and could be a Nature Preserve.
The recently acquired “West Sutter’s Landing Park” properties (just west of Blue Diamond) could also be a Nature Preserve and restored.

The Park could also include additional compatible trails to further connect residents to nature and river-themed play areas and environmental education programs for kids.

Please attend the December 12th meeting and speak out for protecting nature at Sutter’s Landing.
You can also email written comments to DRepan[at]cityofsacramento[dot]org.

For more information, email: cibrownci[at]icloud[dot]com.

Click here for this action alert in PDF.

Sutter’s Landing Regional Park Site Plan Update Survey

The City of Sacramento’s Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment Department would like to gather public input from our neighbors of Sutter’s Landing Regional Park. The survey information will be used to help the city develop a Site Plan Update and Guidebook for the development of the site.

The survey is open June 10 through July 12. This survey is estimated to take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

ENGLISH: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SLP_2024

SPANISH: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SLP_2024?lang=es

American River Watershed Forest Management – Presentation 05/29/2024

Mega Fires, Water Supply, and the Environment

Join us Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm on Zoom
(ECOS Board Meeting will begin at 7:00 pm)

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

The forest lands of the American River Watershed are an integral component of our Region’s ecosystem, providing habitat for wildlife and residents, recreational opportunities for all, carbon sequestration and timber harvesting, and a critical source for the capture, storage and release of water resources for us, the delta, and downstream beneficial water uses.

Join ECOS and a panel of experts on May 29 from 6 pm until 7 pm to learn about how Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) has become involved in ecological forest management and the science behind implementing this work. Learn how the last century of forest management has degraded ecological sustainability and contributed to the megafires that threaten the future of forests. Discuss what is being done to correct these mistakes and what we all can do to sustainably manage our watershed and others throughout the west.

Tony Firenzi, Director of Strategic Affairs with PCWA, will provide an overview of how his agency interfaces with the forest environment and the business case for their leadership in managing forest lands. Tony will closeout the discussion with critical policy matters that need collaborative resolution to continue on a trajectory of progress.
Marie Davis, Registered Geologist and consultant to PCWA, will expand on the case for ecological forest management and present the partnerships and collaboration that are necessary to advance these projects. She will use PCWA’s French Meadows Forest Restoration Project as an example and discuss the collaboration with federal, state, and local government, NGOs, and UC Merced to bring this project to success. She will present efforts to respond to both wildfire damage and what work needs to be carried out to protect the forests from the ravages of future wildfires.

The survival of our forest lands is critical to all our lives and environment, both regionally and globally, so it is essential that ECOS consider these and other perspectives. Bring your issues, questions, and ideas on the 29th and join the conversation.

Click here to view the agenda.

ECOS comments on AKT Development request for LAFCo hearings

On March 29, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Folsom City Council regarding the request they’ve received from AKT development to initiate hearings before Sacramento LAFCO to approve sphere of influence designation for a substantial area of land south of the city’s current city limits (and extending well into El Dorado County).

Below is an excerpt from our letter.

…initiation of this process has significant implications for City residents as well as county,
regional and state policies and programs. Of particular interest is how a supply of water to accommodate the proposed development might be made available. Place of use restrictions on Folsom’s water rights will limit the availability of surface water use in the proposed development area.

…We also have concerns regarding the project’s traffic impacts and increases in emissions resulting from the project’s buildout. Under California state law the Sacramento Region must meet mandated targets for greenhouse gas reduction and air quality by 2030. The approval of a very large greenfield most certainly does not advance the long-term ability to meet these targets.

Click here to read the letter in full.