On July 23, 2024, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) sent our comments on the June 18, 2024 Revised Notice of Preparation Regional Water Bank to the Regional Water Authority.
Tag Archives: Water
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.
Sacramento County FY25 Appropriations – Community Project Requests
On April 2, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui, Alex Padilla, Ami Bera and Laphonza Butler regarding Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.
Below is an excerpt from our letter.
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) strongly supports Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.
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Sacramento County seeks $2 million for technical, planning and design assistance for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project. The funds will be used to support County efforts to identify flood risk reduction measures, water recharge areas and project options, and habitat restoration opportunities along the lower Cosumnes River (including flood risk reductions that protect private water infrastructure). This multibenefit program will lead to significant improvements in flood protection and identify opportunities for additional habitat and water supply reliability benefits in the Lower Cosumnes River.
Protecting and Enhancing the Cosumnes Watershed 3/26/2024
Join us Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Zoom for this presentation, followed by the ECOS Board meeting at 7:00 pm.
Protecting and Enhancing the Cosumnes Watershed
The Cosumnes Watershed is an integral component in our Region’s water supplies. The Cosumnes River and its tributaries play a critical role in preserving the south county ecosystem, agricultural base, and rural lifestyle. The river also plays a critical role in regional groundwater management.
Join ECOS on March 26 from 6 until 7 pm to learn about this Iconic Watershed’s geography and values. Melinda Frost-Hurzel, Cosumnes Coalition Coordinator, will discuss the open space, habitat and working land preservation/stewardship initiatives underway. She will also describe the work being done along the Cosumnes River and its tributaries to preserve and enhance these resources as well as the groundwater subbasins that are supported by the system.
Michael Wackman, General Manager of the Omochumne-Hartnell Water District which is also a Groundwater Sustainability Agency in both the South American and Cosumnes groundwater subbasins will highlight how the sustainable Groundwater Management Act is being implemented in the region. He will outline the status of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, progress being made on the projects and management actions to maintain or restore the two subbasins to sustainability; and the role of groundwater modeling and monitoring, and the partnerships that are forming to carry out these important actions.
Melinda and Michael will conclude with a summary of the issues and hurdles the South County faces regarding water resources and what ECOS can do to help. Bring your issues, questions, and ideas. Please join the conversation.
To Join
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155
Environmental Community Based Representation on Groundwater Sustainability Agency Boards
On January 29, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Boards in the Sacramento Area about Environmental Community Based Representation.
Below is an excerpt of the letter.
Groundwater management has taken a huge step forward with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) throughout California. The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) is very supportive of the Sacramento Area GSA efforts to develop and begin implementation of their Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) and feels the Region has done a good job of working through a multitude of technical issues. ECOS believes implementation of these GSPs requires close coordination between the GSAs, water purveyors, and the public as evidenced by our comments on the GSP annual reports to the State. One way coordination can be improved is through the inclusion of broader representation on GSA Boards of Directors.
Subbasin Groundwater Monitoring, Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, and the 3rd year GSP Annual Report
On November 16, 2023, the Environmental Council of Sacramento submitted our comments on the Subbasin Groundwater Monitoring, Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, and the 3rd year GSP Annual Report.
