On September 23, Chip Smith, Assistant to the Secretary of the Army for Environmental, Tribal and Regulatory Affairs, visited the SACOG region to learn about important initiatives for both Blueprint and RUCS implementation.
Earlier this year, Assistant Secretary of the Army John P. Woodley, Jr. recommended funding SACOG to establish a precedent-setting study to better appreciate the watershed of the region with the end objective being permit streamlining. The funding, if secured, will greatly support the Habitat Conservation Plans currently underway or in the planning stages. SACOG has taken great care to ensure that the effort would be constructed with trusted oversight, and with local government and key stakeholder involvement.
During his visit, Smith met with proponents of the Placer County Conservation Plan, the Placer Parkway, and the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan; addressed a meeting of city and county managers; and received a briefing on the RUCS project.
A final funding decision is anticipated shortly. An initial meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers is set for October 31 to discuss the potential scope of work and to identify key stakeholders.