Armed with the support of local governmental bodies, FWA was successful in its effort to amend language in the SRCA Handbook calling for feasibility studies for setback levees and habitat restoration outside of the Conservation Area. On March 20, 2003, the SRCA Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed amendments as a result of FWA’s request.

Over a year ago, the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum (SRCAF) Board of Directors voted to reduce the size of the proposed Conservation Area from 213,000 acres to approximately 80,000 acres. This reduction was made at the request of the FWA, the Boards of Supervisors of Sutter, Colusa, Glenn and Butte Counties, and as a result of petitions signed by more than 400 landowners. The main intent of that request was to remove from the Conservation Area the mile wide strip along each side of the Sacramento River in the affected counties. This cause was championed by FWA and the county governments because of the potentially serious impacts such extensive habitat restoration could have on counties and landowners. The resulting change in boundaries confined the Conservation Area to the Inner River Zone. In Sutter and Colusa Counties, this zone was to be limited to the land between the levees.

One of the founding Principles and Guidelines set forth by the SRCAF, as stated in the SRCA Handbook, is that the concerns of the landowners, the public, and the local governments are to be given full consideration. Previously, the SRCAF Board prudently stood by its own mantra in electing to reduce the Conservation Area as requested by the local communities.

However, the subsequent amendments to the SRCA Handbook failed to reflect the sentiments previously expressed by the SRCAF Board. Disturbingly, language in the SRCA Handbook remained which clearly advocated actions on lands outside of the Inner River Zone in Reach 4 (from Colusa to Verona). The offending language remaining in the Handbook called for feasibility studies for setback levees and habitat restoration on lands outside the Conservation Area. This language was in direct contradiction to the will expressed by the local governments, landowners, and the public, as well as the promises made by the SRCAF Board.

As such, Family Water Alliance formally requested that the offending language be deleted from the Handbook. The SRCAF Board responded to our request for amendments to the Handbook by appointing an 11-member subcommittee to consider our appeal and make a recommendation. Family Water Alliance sought support for its requested amendments to the Handbook from the Sutter and Colusa County Boards of Supervisors, as well as the Colusa City Council. All three of these local governmental bodies in the affected area unanimously supported FWA’s request. Further, the Sacramento West Side Levee District and Reclamation District 108 sent letters to the SRCAF Board supporting the Handbook amendments proposed by FWA.

Responding to the requests of the affected local governmental bodies, the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum (SRCAF) Board of Directors voted to adopt the Handbook amendments sought by Family Water Alliance. Family Water Alliance wishes to express its gratitude to the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, the Colusa County Board of Supervisors, the Colusa City Council, Sacramento West Side Levee District, and Reclamation District 108.