A rough section of a bike trail between the Rainbow Bridge and the state parks headquarters below Folsom Dam will be smoothed over once the weather improves.
Repair of the bumpy bike path was supposed to begin this week, but a rainy forecast has temporarily stalled the project. On the bumpiest section, crews will have to pull up about 20-30 feet of pavement, remove some tree roots and re-pave.
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On Saturday afternoon, two men and a dog were found dead inside of their tent by the American River, east of the Highway 160 bridge.
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A group of Sacramento-area property owners and land managers has threatened to sue the federal government if it does not remove a native beetle from the endangered species list.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing the valley elderberry longhorn beetle from the endangered species list in 2006. But the process dragged and the beetle is still protected.
The Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento nonprofit law firm, claims the delay may have cost its clients millions of dollars. Those clients include landowners, levee maintenance districts and farm organizations required to protect beetle habitat.
There are signs that the beetle population has improved, and its habitat is relatively abundant. The valley elderberry bush, the beetle’s specific host plant, is hardy and commonplace. But because the beetle remains protected, construction projects are often required to relocate or replant the bushes at great expense.
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Sightings of a mountain lion along the American River have prompted state parks to post warning signs.
There have been four sightings of the mammals this month.
Two of the sightings have been confirmed by employees of the Department of Fish & Game, which has offices at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
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Folsom Lake looks low this time of year.
The dry month may be partly to blame. But, in reality, the lake is only slightly lower than it was this time last year, and holds 88 percent of its average capacity for December.
In winter, the lake must be kept about half-full to provide adequate storage to protect Sacramento from floods.
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A showdown appears to be brewing as Sacramento police officers evict 150 homeless people from an illegal campground along the American River.
While most of the homeless appear to be complying with orders to pack up their tents and move somewhere else, some say they will stand their ground and face arrest because they have no place else to go.
The confrontation started about 8 a.m. Wednesday when around 40 police officers arrived at the site near the intersection of North 10th Street and the American River. The campers were warned earlier this month that eviction was imminent.
“They asked me what I’m going to do,” said “Brother” Eli, a camp elder. “I said ‘I don’t have anywhere to go.’
“Recent efforts by city officials have added nearly 60 additional shelter beds for homeless men and women, but more than that number are camping at the American River site.
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A 40-acre swathe of undeveloped canyon land on the North Fork of the American River near Auburn is now under the protective wing of the Placer Land Trust.
The non-profit, Auburn-based land conservation organization closed escrow on the property last week. It’s located between Lake Clementine and Ponderosa Bridge.
Jeff Darlington, land trust executive director, said that in addition to its value as recreation land, the protection of the property benefits water quality, wildlife habitat and the scenic beauty of the American River canyon.
“This is a beautiful riverfront property in one of our strategic conservation focus areas – Lake Clementine,” Darlington said.
Auburn’s Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, which has aided the Auburn School Park Preserve preservation efforts, among others, donated the 40-acre property to the land trust, along with a $50,000 cash contribution for property upkeep.
More at AuburnJournal.com >>>
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center along the American River is launching a new speaker series in January to illuminate the region’s natural wonders.The six-speaker series begins Jan. 20 with a presentation on venomous bites and stings.
Each event costs $5 per person, or $25 for all six. Space is limited and registration is required.
The first speaker is Mike Cardwell, an expert on venomous snakes and bite treatment. He’ll discuss California’s only dangerous native snake, the Northern Pacific rattlesnake, how to avoid bites, appropriate first-aid, and common myths about venomous snakes.
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The recently completed Hazel Avenue Improvement Project – Phase 1, has won the Sacramento Area Council of Governments 2011 SACOG Salutes Regional Project of the Year award. Award recipients were honored at the SACOG Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 15.
Phase 1 of the improvement project was completed in September, and is part of a major roadway infrastructure project to improve Hazel Ave. from U.S. 50 to Madison Ave., to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation in this corridor.
“We are honored to receive the Regional Project of the Year Award for the Hazel Avenue project,” said Mike Penrose, Director of the Department of Transportation. “From initial community input efforts, to the planning, environmental, project design and approval process to final construction — our contractors, consultants and County staff have completed a great project with many benefits to the community and to local and regional roadway infrastructure.”
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The Save the American River Parkway Association celebrated its 50th anniversary this month and received a resolution from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors honoring its accomplishments over the past five decades.
“We commend the work that a whole host of folks (at the association) have done in providing a strong voice for a precious resource,” Supervisor Don Nottoli said Tuesday as he presented the resolution.
The Save the American River Association is a volunteer, nonprofit group of more than 600 members and a Board of Directors that started in 1961 to develop the American River Parkway and to create a plan to maintain it.
The 23-mile American River Parkway hosts more than 5 million visitors each year for fishing, boating and rafting on the water – and picnicking, golfing and paved walking and bicycling trails for land lovers.
More at SacramentoPress.com >>>