Folsom approves Water Forum 2050 agreement and ARCAP participation

The City Council voted March 10 to approve resolution 11566, authorizing Folsom to sign and join the Water Forum 2050 agreement and to participate in the American River Climate Adaptation Program (ARCAP/RCAP).

Marcus Yasutaki, Utilities Director, summarized the Water Forum's origins (the original agreement was signed in 2000 with 40 signatories) and the five program areas the 2050 update advances: flows and operations, corridor health, regional water-supply sustainability, science/monitoring and decision support, and governance/funding administration. He said the 2050 agreement carries forward the Water Forum's two coequal objectives: providing a reliable regional water supply and preserving the Lower American River's fisheries, wildlife and recreational values. "Those remain in the 2050 agreement, by the way," Yasutaki said.

Yasutaki described RCAP as a collaboration to manage water resources, diversify infrastructure and better match supply timing and temperature to ecological needs; he said agencies are exploring expanded conjunctive-use opportunities, diversions from the Sacramento River near the airport, and additional interagency connections. A short video played for council showing comments from past signatories and stakeholders.

Council discussed the item briefly, a motion to approve was seconded, and the resolution passed on roll call. Staff said the mayor is expected to sign the agreement at a May 11 event (staff noted a 5 p.m. start time and that a formal invite will be sent).