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Message IN THIS ISSUESARA & the American RiverParkway Coalition Student Voices for the RiverHundreds Rally at Library toOppose Destructive ArmyCorps Erosion PlanHot Weather RequiresPlanning, Good HydrationVending in the ParkwayThanks to your support for Sailor Bar wildlife, the Sacramento CountyRegional Parks Department announced a “pause” on opening theinterior of Sailor Bar Park to public motor vehicles to instead focusresources on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements tothe restroom facility and main parking lot. Sacramento County Regional Parks Director, Liz Bellas, announced herintent to work towards creating an ADA plan to include a fullyaccessible trail at Sailor Bar and focus on creating safe accessibleareas of the Regional Parks system for people with mobility issues, aswell as other disabilities. Supervisor Desmond stated that, “The public discourse surroundingthe park has highlighted its appeal among residents of our region.” Heexpressed a desire to partner with groups to bring more outdooreducation experiences to Sailor Bar.In an immediate good faith effort to work with Director Bellas andSupervisor Desmond toward our mutual goals of creating safeaccessible access for people with mobility issues as well as otherdisabilities to enjoy nature, the Friends of Sailor Bar has offered todonate benches that will be placed along the trails for people to walk,sit, pause, and continue their walk. We are pleased that we are now working with Regional Parks on the“Benevolent Bench Project.” A private Benefit for Benches kick-off partyis planned for June 20, 2025. Email ProtectSailorBar@yahoo.com formore information. We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with the County onthe materialization of an accessible nature trail at Sailor Bar for all toenjoy in the quiet of nature, without cars.RIVERWATCHA publication from Save the American River AssociationVOLUME 64 • ISSUE 02SUMMER 2025Walk, Sit, Pause, Walk ...BY JODI KINGPhoto courtesy of Krista BrownContinued on page 3PAGE 2C ALIFORNIA'S 2025 SALMON FISHING SEASON: LIMITED RECREATIONAL REOPENINGS AMID ONGOING CHALLENGES For the third consecutive year,California's commercial salmon fishingseason remains closed due to criticallylow numbers of fall-run Chinooksalmon, particularly in the SacramentoRiver. This unprecedented closure,announced by the Pacific FisheryManagement Council in April, aims toprotect the struggling salmonpopulations impacted by prolongeddrought, habitat degradation, andwater management practices. T here is, however, a narrow window ofopportunity for recreational anglers.The California Fish and GameCommission has approved limitedrecreational salmon fishing on selectCentral Valley rivers, including theLower American River. Starting July 15,2025, anglers can fish for Chinook PAGE 3PAGE 4PAGE 6PAGE 6

SARA & THE AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY COALITIONIn 2004, with support and urging from then Director of Regional Parks, Ron Suter, SARA founded the American River Parkway Coalition (ARPC). The initial Coalition was comprised of representatives from the three historic Parkway support organizations.SARA Board members, Alan Wade, Betsy Weiland, and Warren Truitt, plus representatives from the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and the AmericanRiver Parkway Foundation, began meeting monthly at the Jim StrengVolunteer Center.The agenda began with Parkway updates from both the Director and the ChiefRanger of Sacramento Regional County Parks. Other subjects related to thehealth and welfare of the Parkway were presented by attendees, withdiscussion and action following. Over time, various Parkway individual supporters and organizations becameaware of the Coalition meetings and began attending and participating in thediscussions and related solutions, associated meetings, and projects.Eventually, the number of attendees overwhelmed the meeting space at theVolunteer Center. While the Parkway Foundation no longer participates, thenumber of Parkway Protect and Preserve organizations has mushroomed, withmonthly meetings now held at the Regional Parks HQ building meeting room,which comfortably accommodates the 30 to 40 monthly attendees.I look forward to attending all ARPC meetings as they are so uplifting andencouraging. The Coalition meets on the 4 Friday of each month betweenNoon and 2 pm. Most are held at County Parks headquarters, and some areheld on the Parkway or related sites. Each month features severalpresentations — some delivered by regular attendees, others by guestspeakers — providing updates on the latest activities and initiatives of eachmember organization.thAfter the regular meeting presentations, many attendees stay after toconverse and assist each other. As important meetings and hearings are heldfor specific projects, many Coalition members attend to show their supportand testify. The American River Parkway Coalition has become a mostrespected and effective voice for the Jewel of Sacramento County – theAmerican River and Parkway.SARA President Warren TruittCoalition attendeeorganizations include:Preserve the American River: topreserve a pristine 20 acre siteright on the river;American River Trees: fightingthe mass removal of trees by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers oneither side of Howe and Watt onthe river, for flood control; Friends of Sailor Bar: to preserveSailor Bar as a nature area for all:able, disabled and the residentwildlife, with vehicles barred fromthe dirt roads; Audubon Society; Friends of the River; Sacramento Area CreeksCouncil, who sponsor theincredible River City WaterwayAlliance – homeless campcleanup badgers as they callthemselves; American River Bike Patrol; American River ParkwayVolunteer Equestrian Patrol; Waterbird Habitat Project:removing lures and lines from thefoliage, banks and logs by theriver; California Fly Fishers Unlimited; California Native Plant Society; Effie Yeaw Nature Center;Friends of Lakes Folsom &Natoma (FOLFAN); Friends of Sutter’s Landing; Sacramento Valley Conservancy;Soil Born Farms;Wild Rye Consulting; and other organizations andindividuals too numerous tomention, who contribute time,talent, and treasure to further themission.PAGE 2 • SUMMER 2025SARARIVERWATCH.ORG

STUDENT VOICES FOR THE RIVER: SARA CLUBLAUNCHES AT RIO AMERICANO HIGH SCHOOLA LETTER FROM THE SARA CLUB CO-PRESIDENTSHello SARA members and river advocates!Our names are Katie Hickey and Charlotte Ponder, and we are co-presidents of RioAmericano High School’s SARA Club for 2024-25! Last summer we had the pleasure ofinterning for SARA under Julie Gabele and Betsy Weiland. We worked on canvassing forthe petition opposing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed Contract 3B currentplans, design, and approach that would devastate miles of the American River andParkway. We helped raise public awareness and gather 500+ signatures at pop-ups on theriver and events. We also had the opportunity to connect with many of SARA’s partnerorganizations and projects. As participants in Rio Americano’s Civitas Program, we’re required to complete a 75-hourinternship, as well as a senior project of our choice. Having enjoyed our internship somuch, we decided our senior project would be to create SARA’s first ever charter at ourhigh school! The charter allows students to form a club aligned with SARA open to all Riostudents. Throughout the school year, we held meetings during lunch to connect studentswith volunteer opportunities and education on the river, as well as issues affecting it! Wehad over 25 students participate in club events. It’s been incredibly inspiring to share ourpassion for the river and the environment with them. One of our favorite memories fromthis year was leading a guided nature walk along the American River, near our campus,and teaching club members about different riparian species. As the culmination of our senior project, we planned “Rio Earth Week” with differentlunchtime events every day and a campus-wide Earth Day Fair on April 11th. We hadmembers from 12+ groups (including SARA) participate and talk to dozens of Rio studentsabout their work in the environmental community. It was a wonderful experience foreveryone involved. We saw many Rio students become inspired to engage with the issuesaffecting our environment and our river! We would like to thank SARA for their support throughout this past year in all ourendeavors. We would not have been able to do all of this without them! As we prepare tomove on to college next year, we are passing on the Rio Americano SARA Club leadershipto the capable and passionate Taylor Ward and Dylan Stapleton. We’re excited to see thenext generation of Rio students become more excited about the environment and theAmerican River, and we’re eternally grateful to SARA for the wealth of knowledge we havegained about advocacy and environmentalism.All the best,Katie Hickey & Charlotte PonderRio Americano SARA Club Co-Presidents & former SARA InternsSalmon on designated sectionsof the Mokelumne, Feather, andAmerican rivers, with a daily limitof one fish, under new guidelinesapproved by the CaliforniaDepartment of Fish and Wildlife(CDFW). The CDFW cited improved riverconditions, increased hatcheryreleases, and recent wet wintersas contributing factors to thelimited reopening on the threerivers. Still, other areas such asthe Sacramento River andKlamath River Basin will remainclosed due to critically lowreturns of Chinook salmon inthose waters. Salmon populations acrossCalifornia continue to facesignificant challenges. Statefishery managers have againpointed to a host ofenvironmental stressors behindthe collapse of salmon runsincluding extended drought,rising water temperatures,habitat degradation frommassive wildfires, and shis inocean conditions that reducefood availability for salmon. Fishing, tribal, and environmentalgroups say the root of the crisis ispoor water management—especially in dry years. Instead ofdeveloping solutions that wouldbenefit fisheries, theenvironment, fishing families,and businesses, the state ispushing the Delta tunnel andSites Reservoir projects whichwould further reduce the cold-water flows needed by salmon tosurvive. SALMONContinued from page 1PAGE 3 • SUMMER 2025SARARIVERWATCH.ORG

PAGE 4 • SUMMER 2025SARARIVERWATCH.ORGOn May 23, more than 200 people packed the Sacramento PublicLibrary, most of whom were there to voice opposition to the destructiveerosion control techniques planned for the American River Parkwayunder Contract 3B. The Army Corps of Engineers’ final environmentalreport for the contract was released on May 8. Despite over 900 public comments submitted by concerned citizens,there were no substantive changes or reductions in the project’simpacts from the December 2023 draft environmental report. AmericanRiver Trees (ART) was allowed 25 minutes to present a suite of viable,less destructive alternative design concepts, and address CEQAdeficiencies and other critical project concerns. The Central Valley Flood Protection Board will hold a public hearing andvote on the project, which could take place in June or July. ART has askedthe Corps and the Board to grant an extension allowing more time forthorough review of the 10,000-page final environmental report. ART will continue to share project updates and upcoming meetinginformation via their email list, Facebook group, and website. For thelatest information, to join our mailing list, find our Facebook group, andlearn how you can help voice your opposition, visit the ART website atwww.americanrivertrees.org.HUNDREDS RALLY AT LIBRARY TO OPPOSEDESTRUCTIVE ARMY CORPS EROSION PLANBy Pete SpauldingHundreds Rally at Library to Oppose Army Corps Erosion Plan“The river movesfrom land to waterto land, in and outof organisms,reminding us whatnative peopleshave neverforgotten: that youcannot separatethe land from thewater, or thepeople from theland.”- L Y N N C U L B R E A T H N O E L

Marya LibertyWayne & Gloria LuneyEdith MacDonaldChristopher MackeyDorothy MarshallSteven MaviglioIrene MehaffyDan MeierMary Beth MetcalfTony & Joyce MihanovichJerry Allan MintonMaren & Mo NasseriStuart NussbaumSue O'DonnellJohn & Beth O'FarrellKaren OlsonThomas OttSteve PetersonLisa PhenixMerrilee & Jeff PosnerAnn RothschildLeland RuthLynn SealRobert & Lyvonne SewellFelix SmithTerry SnyderLilla StrauchMaureen StubblefieldRosemary TanfaniMary E. TappelTim ViallCliff VoseAlan WadeJohn WagamanDave WardCary WareLynda WhiteAndrea Willey, MDin honor of Waterbird Habitat ProjectLiz WilliamsonLeo & Brenda Winternitz I N M E M O R I A MSave the American RiverAssociation has receiveddonations in memory of thefollowing friends:Allen LewisJeff SlaterSARA frequently receivesdonations in memory of lostloved ones, many of whom wereusers and supporters of theAmerican River Parkway. Somedonors give names. Othersprefer to remain anonymous.SARA notifies family memberswhen donations are made. Themoney is used to further SARA’sadvocacy work on behalf of theParkway.Contributions may be made bycheck or online via SARA’s Website. SARA also has a Legacyprogram. For information on theprogram, please contact theSARA office.SARARIVERWATCH.ORGSARA MEMBERSHIP DONATIONSJA NU A R Y - AP R IL 2 0 25SARA appreciates the support of our generous members. Without yoursupport, SARA would not be able to continue our role as Guardians of theAmerican River and Parkway since 1961. New and renewing members arelisted in RiverWatch according to their preference (indicated on the SARAmembership/renewal form).Shannon BetkerF Thomas BiglioneTom BufordJesse & Kathleen BurdickMatt CarrRichard & Linda ChinClifford ChowJanice ChungKenneth CooleyBaxter CulverDenis De LuchiNorene DeBruyckerRobert Dell'AgostinoSara DenzlerSergio DiazJim & Polly DoddsBob & Stacey DreizlerWilliam DunnCharles DutyJoseph GambinoDavid GraberDan GriffinKathryn GriffinSusan GuenardKen & Lynn HallDavid HammerPhyllis HayesCandice HeinzRobert Bernstein & Helen HernandezMark HenryAlan HirschGay JonesPaul JorjorianGary KeillJodi KingNancy KniskernPaula KuhlmanBob Delp & Laura FisherMarianne LeachSusan LehmanJeanne LemkuilPAGE 5 • SUMMER 2025NATURE ISNOT A PLACETO VISIT. IT ISHOME.Gary Snyder

As summer fest approaches, with hot and sometimeseven humid days, take precautions if you’re a local cyclistor hiker on the wide network of lovely trails along theAmerican River and other local trail systems. Here are tipsfrom the American River Bike Patrol and their 115members (learn more about the Bike Patrol atamericanriverbikepatrol.org): With hot days, exposure is also a factor: Watch weatherand temperature forecasts, and plan to pack fluids,sunscreen, a hat with a brim, and wear light coloredclothing to reflect sunlight.Hydrate in advance: We’re suggesting cool H2O or lowcalorie energy drinks! Avoid early-day caffeine drinks,which tend to dehydrate.Get out early: You’ll see daytime temperatures typicallyspiking mid to late afternoon. That’s why you’ll see themost serious cyclist, seeking to get long rides in, gettingunderway early morning and usually finish well beforenoon.Watch for water refill options: Along the American RiverParkway, find drinking fountains at trailside restrooms,your favorite nearby bakery or coffee shop; and hydrationstops beside the trail by the bike patrol on the hottest ofdays. Take breaks, and replenish fluids!Here are additional suggestions by medical experts:Prioritize hydration, choose appropriate clothing,and adjust activity levels based on heat and humidity.Stay hydrated by drinking fluids regularly, even beforefeeling thirsty. Monitor your body signs for heatexhaustion, such as muscle cramps, dizziness, andnausea; seek medical aid if you are exhibitingsymptoms.Pace Yourself: Start slowly and gradually increaseintensity of your exercise. Acclimatize: Slowly increase the amount of time youspend exercising in the heat to allow your body toacclimate.Exercise with a partner: If you're exercising withothers, monitor each other for signs of heat-relatedillness; and each of you plan to pack hydration. HOT WEATHER REQUIRES PLANNING,GOOD HYDRATION!By Tim ViallSARARIVERWATCH.ORGPAGE 6 • SUMMER 2025Vending in the Parkway: It’s Not Just aSnack — It’s a Shift in PurposeBy Mark Berry

SUPPORT COUNTY PARKSBuy An Annual PassWhere to Purchase Your Parks Pass:For as little as $70 per year, you can have unlimitedaccess and parking in the parks. All funds go directlytowards maintaining and operating the 15,000-acresystem. Pass holders receive free daily entry intoRegional Parks and annual passes are valid for oneyear from the date of purchase.*Senior discount passes must be purchased in person atthe County Parks office. Discount applies to ages 65 orolder and must have proof of age at time of purchase.Pass Fees Are Based On Use:Vehicle: $70Vehicle + Trailer/Boat/RV: $130Senior Citizen Vehicle*: $35Senior Citizen Vehicle + Trailer/Boat/RV*: $65Carmichael / Fair Oaks / Citrus HeightsBobs Cycle Center: 9920 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CAEffie Yeaw Nature Center: 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CAPatriot Bicycle: 7441 Madison Ave, Citrus Heights, CAAmerican River Raft Rentals: 11257 S Bridge Street, Fair Oaks, CAMission Oaks Parks District: 3344 Mission Ave, Carmichael, CADowntown / ArdenFleet Feet Sacramento: 2311 J St, Sac, CAMike's Bikes Sacramento: 1411 I Street, Sac, CARack N Road Car Racks and Hitch Superstores: 2021 Arden Way, Sacramento, CAREI: 1790 Expo Pkwy, Sacramento, CA 95815 Rancho Cordova / FolsomMike's Bikes Folsom : 705 Gold Lake Dr #320, Folsom, CAREI: 2425 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630 Sportsman's Warehouse: 2344 Sunrise Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CAElk Grove / South SacramentoFleet Feet Laguna: 7460 Elk Grove Blvd Ste 120, Elk Grove, CARoseville / North SacramentoFly Fishing Specialties: 6360 Tupelo Dr. Citrus Heights, CANatomas Bike Shop: 3291 Truxel Rd Ste 30, Sacramento, CAREI: 1148 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678 Orvis Roseville: 1017 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA Online thro ugh the Cou nty's Purchasing Portal https://govhub.com/sacramento/regionalparks Regional Park offices and park kiosksMail in a completed Parks Annual PassApplication to: Parks Passes 10361 Rockingham Dr. Sacramento, CA 95827At any of the retail locations on the rightSARARIVERWATCH.ORGPAGE 7 • SUMMER 2025Partner Spotlight:American River RaftRentalsSave the American RiverAssociation is proud topartner with local businessesthat share our deepcommitment to protectingand celebrating the LowerAmerican River and Parkway. One of our long-standingsupporters, American RiverRaft Rentals, has been servingthe community since 1974 witha mission rooted in safety,stewardship, and experience.We’re grateful for AmericanRiver Raft Rental’s ongoingsupport! Learn more and bookyour summer river float atraftrentals.com.

S AV E T H E A M E R I C A N R I V E R AS S O C I AT I O N8836 Greenback Lane, Suite COrangevale, CA 95662 Phone: 916-936-4555Email: info@sarariverwatch.orgwww.sarariverwatch.orgR E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E ST E D$ Name: My gift to SARA is a:Guardians of the American River andParkway Since 1961O F F I C E R SD I R E C T O R SA D V I S O RY C O U N C I LV O L U N T E E R S & S TA F FNON PROFITU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT 922SACRAMENTO, CAWarren Truitt - PresidentMark Berry - Vice PresidentMary Beth Metcalf - TreasurerEric Webb - SecretaryKelly CohenBrenda GustinFelix Smith,Director EmeritusAlan WadeElke GuenterJim MorganTim ViallBetsy WeilandAndrea WilleyDan BacherDavid ClarkAl FreitasGary KukkolaDave LydickMaria Rea, Water ForumScott RynearsonRon StorkDavid Thesell Dan WinkelmanAnne BaronMaxine ClarkPam LapinskiClyde Macdonald, Water ForumRandy SmithMichele StevensRon SuterCrystal TobiasLeo WinternitzBetsy WeilandVolunteer Coordinator Sara StephensOffice ManagerM E M B E R S H I P A N D C O N T R I B U T I O N SRenewal New Membership Non Membership DonationMemorial - In Memory of (Name): May we publish your name as a SARA member in a future RiverWatch issue?(Contribution amount will not be included) Yes No, thank youPlease provide credit card info below or go to our secure Web site to donate: sarariverwatch.org -VISA, Mastercard, AmEx or Discover acceptedPlease indicate your total contributionThe following membership categories are suggested:$10-24 Student$50 + Supporting$250 + Business$25-49 Regular$100 + Family$1,000 + SustainingCheck Credit CardAddress: City, State, ZIP:Credit Card #:Security Code:Expiration Date: Phone:Email:Please send me information on SARA’s legacy program