Tag Archives: Groundwater Sustainability

Sacramento Region Supports Governor’s Call for Conservation

July 8, 2021

ECOS, as a Water Forum signatory, is working in concert with all of the Forum members to address the current drought. Unfortunately higher temperatures and periods of drought are increasing in the Sacramento region and we have to prepare for them. The following press release has some important water saving actions you can take and here is another one that will contribute to our current drought situation and the future impacts of climate change as well:

Begin the transition to a beautiful, low-water landscape in your home, business, or public space by removing half of the turf grass this summer. For every one thousand square feet of lawn removed, 90 gallons of water is conserved each time that lawn would have been watered. Now you are ready to add low-water, local native plants and drip irrigation this coming winter. The California Native Plant Society website has information on how to remove your lawn, lists of local native plants that fit your needs and landscape conditions, and tips on how and when to plant them. If you have trees in the lawn area being removed, don’t forget they will still need to be watered.

Landscaping while very important for all of us is a major source of water use. We want beauty and shade in our outdoor spaces; and insects, birds, and animals depend on the plants we choose to survive. Local native plants not only save water, they significantly contribute to the beauty of our region and are critical and highly desirable habitat for local insects, birds and animals.

Ralph Propper, Board President, ECOS

July 8, 2021

Sacramento, Calif. – The following statement was issued today by Jessica Law, Executive Director of the Water Forum, and Sean Bigley, Board Chair of the Regional Water Authority, in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proclamation of a Drought State of Emergency, expanding the emergency to nine additional counties, and asking the public to voluntarily conserve 15 percent.

“The Governor’s announcement today underscores the severe drought conditions throughout California and in the Sacramento region.

“Sacramento-area leaders across the region’s major municipalities yesterday issued a news release imploring the public to increase their conservation efforts, and we support the Governor’s call for a voluntary 15 percent reduction.

“We understand that the public has continued to conserve since the last drought, and we applaud those efforts. Now, we are asking residents to do more. Increasing conservation this summer will help the environment of the Lower American River and decrease the potential for water shortages in 2022 if drought conditions persist.

“There are many easy and quick water-saving actions that can be taken today, such as dialing back sprinklers by two minutes (while continuing to water your trees), making sure sprinklers and drip irrigation run in the morning, adding mulch to conserve moisture and fixing household leaks.

“Also, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the many rebate programs available to help with downsizing or replacing a thirsty lawn with beautiful low-water plants or upgrading to efficient irrigation and fixtures.

“You can find more water-saving tips, information about rebates and landscape watering guidelines at BeWaterSmart.info.”

The Sacramento Water Forum is a diverse group of business and agricultural leaders, citizen groups, environmentalists, water managers and local governments working together to balance two co-equal objectives: to provide a reliable and safe water supply for the Sacramento region’s long-term growth and economic health; and to preserve the fishery, wildlife, recreational, and aesthetic values of the lower American River. Learn more at waterforum.org.

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing 20 water providers serving 2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org.

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Photo by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels

North American Groundwater Subbasin Public Meeting – March 10

Save the Date for a virtual public meeting on March 10 (Zoom).

Please save the date for a public meeting with the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) responsible for developing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the North American Groundwater Subbasin (NASb) on Wednesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. Representatives of the Sacramento Groundwater Authority GSA, West Placer GSA, South Sutter GSA, Sutter County GSA, and RD1001 GSA will be available to discuss the latest information about our planning efforts towards development of the NASb GSP, as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

In this meeting, we will discuss the results of the basin wide groundwater model and groundwater budget. The water budget — an accounting of inflows, outflows, and changes in storage — will give us a good understanding of our subbasin, assist in long range planning, and help us know how much water can be safely pumped from the basin while remaining sustainable.

Attend these meetings to learn about these topics as well as:
– The GSP and timeline for completion
– How to engage and provide comments
– Answers to your questions
– Draft GSP sections available

Draft GSP sections 1 through 5 are available for public review at https://nasbgroundwater.org/.

Although public comment is currently closed, another public comment period will be posted later this summer when the full draft GSP is released. The GSP will then be adopted by the GSA member agencies in late 2021 and submitted to the State by the statutory due date of January 31, 2022. We want to ensure the GSP reflects both your input and sound technical studies. We encourage you to participate in this process now, as we shape and implement the plan.

How to attend the meeting

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aMKyrqKzSJSwXv9mqM3Y4g
Meeting ID: 929 6174 1711
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

About the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Public agencies with water management authority are required by SGMA to form GSAs, manage groundwater in the NASb, and implement activities that preserve and enhance groundwater supplies for our cities, communities, agricultural areas, and the environment. This locally-controlled effort will protect the basin from overdraft, ensure sustainable groundwater supplies, and support a stable and growing economy, including agriculture.

For additional details or more information about the GSAs involved in this effort, visit https://nasbgroundwater.org/.

Groundwater Sustainability Plans – Guiding Principles

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the Environmental Council of Sacramento sent to the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies in the American and Cosumnes Groundwater Subbasins our suggestions for guiding principles for our local Groundwater Sustainability Plans.

Our letter presents suggested Principles we believe should be part of each subbasin’s Plan. These Principles draw upon both state guidance for Groundwater Sustainability Plans and the spirit and intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Click here to read the letter.