Greenbriar: where Sacramento plans to put nearly 3,000 new homes, by Tony Bizjak, May 29, 2017, The Sacramento Bee

Advocates for the Swainson’s hawk, listed as threatened by the state, are unhappy with the habitat mitigation land chosen for the hawks, which is an orchard west of the airport, adjacent to the Teal Bend golf course. Advocate Jude Lamare said the site is too close the airport, where 11 Swainson’s hawks have been counted as hit and killed by jets in the last four years.

The hawks forage in various places around the Natomas basin, but, as development continues, nesting areas will be reduced, forcing more birds into limited sites, including the one next to the airport. “If you are picking a ‘forever’ home for threatened avian species, it would not be next to a runway,” Lamare said. “You are squeezing the species down.”

Volkswagen emissions fraud sleuth chosen to head Sacramento air agency

By Tony Bizjak

May 25, 2017

The Sacramento Bee

Alberto Ayala, a state air pollution executive who helped uncover Volkswagen’s massive diesel cheating scandal, has been named head of the Sacramento region’s air quality efforts.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District board voted on Thursday morning to name Ayala its executive director, replacing retiring executive Larry Greene.

Ayala, a deputy executive officer at the California Air Resources Board, launched the state’s initial review of diesel engines in 2012 that lead to the discovery that Volkswagen had illegally programmed millions of its vehicles internationally, including in California, to pass emissions tests.

Bike share starts in Sacramento. See where you can get one.

By Tony Bizjak

May 18, 2017

The Sacramento Bee

Bike share arrived in Sacramento Thursday with several dozen ready to rent in downtown Sacramento and along the West Sacramento waterfront.

The bikes, operated by a company called Social Bicyles, rent for $4 per hour, but can be rented in increments as small as a minute. Users tap into a smartphone app, which tells them where the nearest bikes are parked. Riders can then unlock the bikes by tapping a personal code into the pad behind the bike seat.

Most bikes will be parked at 14 designated bike stands in the street at popular central city locations, such as next to The Barn and Raley Field in West Sacramento, in Capitol Park and in front of Zocalo restaurant and across the street from Der Biergarten in midtown.

Please Use Caution If Driving

May 15, 2017

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) strives to provide all residents of the Sacramento region with pedestrian, bicycle and transit access to jobs, schools, shopping, services and recreation.

Unfortunately, Sacramento drivers are hindering this access, as evidenced by three separate pedestrian deaths by motorists in less than two weeks.

On April 30, 2017, Theresa McCourt died when hit by a suspected drunken driver on 47th Avenue in Sacramento. McCourt was a longtime member of the Sacramento running community. She also “…wrote a column on running for The Bee from 1990 to 1998. The British-born McCourt was also a published poet, freelance writer and editor of the California State Auditor.” Read more at http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article150564292.html.

On May 11, 2017, 35-year-old Alysha McLean was killed on Franklin Boulevard at 42nd Avenue. McLean was attempting to cross Franklin Boulevard when she was struck in the southbound lanes by a vehicle that left the scene. The CHP is asking the public’s help in identifying the vehicle. Read more at http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article150552657.html.

On the same day, May 11, 2017, 58-year-old Mark Alan Stout was hit and killed by a car in North Highlands as he crossed Watt Avenue in his wheelchair. The California Highway Patrol said that Stout was traveling in his wheelchair across Watt Avenue near Myrtle Avenue. Read more at http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article150551147.html.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, May 15, 2017

Meet the New CEO of SACOG, James Corless

Join the Environmental Council of Sacramento – ECOS for our May ECOS Board Meeting! Everyone who is interested is welcome. Bring a friend!

Monday, May 15, 2017

Location: SEIU Local 1000, 1325 S St, Sacramento, CA 95811

5:30 pm Reception

Please come and meet and socialize with ECOS Board Members and guests. Light appetizers and refreshments served. Feel free to bring something to share.

6:00 pm Meeting Begins

Come meet James Corless, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)!

Come meet the new chief executive of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) on Monday, May 15th with ECOS! James Corless is a public transit and smart growth advocate and the founding director of Transportation for America.

SACOG is the region’s chief transportation planning agency. Learn more about them here: http://www.sacog.org/

Transportation for America is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country, united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions. Learn more about the organization here:http://www.t4america.org/

“James Corless is the founding director of Transportation for America, where he built an impressive national network of civic, elected, and business leaders who understand that strategic investments in infrastructure are crucial for attracting economic development.” – SACOG http://www.sacog.org/post/james-corless-begins-ceo-appointment

After the discussion, ECOS Committees will report on their current business. Announcements from members and attendees are welcome at the end, as time allows.

Click here for the full agenda. (PDF)

Support for Volkswagen Settlement California ZEV Investment Plan

April 10, 2017

ECOS supports Sacramento as the first recipient of funds from the Volkswagen settlement.

We are writing to express our support of the Volkswagen’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Investment Plan, including the designation of Sacramento as the first Green City with a proposed investment of $44 million. We believe that the City of Sacramento is a strong, capable partner that is ready to deliver on this important opportunity. The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) has a history of working with the City to deliver ambitious projects and programs that benefit the region.

Read the full letter from ECOS by clicking here.