The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has approved the Water Forum 2050 Agreement, marking an important step as regional partners advance a shared approach to water supply reliability and protection of the Lower American River.
As an original signatory to the 2000 Agreement, Sacramento County has helped shape the region’s collaborative approach to balancing water supply and environmental protection. This action builds on that foundation while supporting progress on climate-driven challenges, including more frequent droughts, shifting hydrology, and rising river temperatures.
“Sacramento County’s approval reflects the continued commitment of regional partners to work together on complex water challenges,” said Water Forum Executive Director Ashlee Casey. “The County’s role as a major regional partner helps reinforce the collective commitment needed to move the Water Forum 2050 Agreement into implementation.”
Sacramento County leaders emphasized the importance of continuing this long-standing partnership.
Sacramento County has been part of the Water Forum partnership for more than two decades, working with regional partners to address complex water challenges,” said Matt Satow, Director of the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources. “The Water Forum 2050 Agreement represents the next generation of that work—focused on responding to climate change and moving into implementation.
The Water Forum 2050 Agreement builds on more than 25 years of progress under the original agreement, which helped reduce conflict over water resources while advancing major infrastructure investments and improving conditions in the Lower American River. The updated agreement carries forward the Water Forum’s coequal objectives: to provide a reliable and safe water supply for the region’s economic health and planned development, and to preserve the fishery, wildlife, recreational, and aesthetic values of the Lower American River.
A key feature of the updated agreement is the American River Climate Adaptation Program (ARCAP), a regional strategy designed to improve flexibility in how water is stored, managed, and used. By coordinating groundwater recharge, conservation, and surface water operations, ARCAP aims to make water available when and where it is needed most, supporting both water supply reliability and river health under increasingly variable climate conditions.
Sacramento County’s approval contributes to growing regional momentum. To date, nearly 30 Water Forum members have approved the agreement, with additional approvals scheduled and underway.
The breadth of approvals reflects continued alignment among business leaders, environmental organizations, water providers, and public agencies, demonstrating the strength of the Water Forum’s collaborative model.
Approvals to date include:
Water providers: Sacramento Suburban Water District, San Juan Water District, Placer County Water Agency, El Dorado Irrigation District, Fair Oaks Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the City of Folsom, the Regional Water Authority, Carmichael Water District, the City of Sacramento, Citrus Heights Water District, the City of Roseville, and Sacramento County Water Agency.
Environmental organizations: Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), Sierra Club, Save the American River Association (SARA), and Friends of the River.
Business organizations: Association of General Contractors,North State Building Industry Association, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, AKT Development, Sacramento Association of Realtors, and the Sacramento Metro Chamber.
Public and community organizations: Sacramento Valley Conservancy, League of Women Voters, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), City of Sacramento Planning, Sacramento County Department of Planning, and Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks.