(FOLSOM, CA ) — In one of the most consequential actions of the March 10 meeting, the Folsom City Council unanimously approved the regional 2050 Water Forum Agreement, positioning the city to join a multi‑agency effort to protect water reliability and the health of the Lower American River amid accelerating climate impacts.
(Credit: Utilities Director Marcus Yasutake. Metro 14 Youtube.com.)
Utilities Director Marcus Yasutake delivered an extensive presentation outlining the history of the Water Forum, first established in the 1990s to resolve conflict among water providers, environmental groups, businesses, and public agencies. He emphasized how shifting hydrology, new state laws, and updated science made the updated agreement essential.
“Conditions are different today than they were in the mid‑90s whether regulatory, water use efficiency, or state law. So, a lot of this was to capture those changes from the mid‑90s to the early 2020s,” Yasutake explained.
He noted that climate‑driven changes in precipitation and snowpack are already altering river flows and reservoir operations. “Differing patterns of snowfall and precipitation have an impact… and then challenges at Folsom Reservoir, what we know now versus what was known in the mid‑90s,” he said.
(Credit: City of Folsom, Water Forum Video.)
OpGov.news reports the updated agreement includes expanded program areas such as flow management, corridor health, regional water supply sustainability, scientific monitoring, and governance. A central feature is the American River Climate Adaptation Program—the region’s coordinated plan to manage water supply and ecosystem needs as extreme droughts and intense storms become more frequent.
“It’s trying to voluntarily link the agencies, infrastructure, and our policies amongst all different parties… to make water available where it is needed,” Yasutake said. “You can have an abundance of water but if the temperature isn’t correct, that does have an impact on the habitat… so how to best manage the cold‑water pool in Folsom Reservoir.”
Councilmember Barbara Leary, who served on the Water Forum’s Environmental Caucus, spoke emotionally about the years‑long collaborative process that led to the updated agreement. “There are so many people that have expertise and interest in maintaining the quality of the river… the group worked together… I’m really happy that Folsom is able to participate,” she said, adding that the Water Forum represents a rare regional alliance built on shared values. “There were a lot of disagreements… some changes in leadership along the way… but the group worked together.”
OpGov.news reports with council approval, Mayor Justin Raithel will sign the agreement, followed by the execution of an interagency implementation agreement by the City Manager. The regional signing ceremony is scheduled for May 11.
The Council praised the work of city staff and the Water Forum partners. The item passed with a 5–0 vote, underscoring broad support for long‑term water planning and ecological stewardship.
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