Save the American River Association
Save the American River Association (SARA) is a grass roots non-profit organization founded in 1961 to spearhead the establishment of the American River Parkway — the "crown jewel" of the Sacramento County Park System — and adoption of the American River Parkway Plan 2008. Our mission is to protect and enhance the wildlife habitat, fishery, and recreational resources of the American River Parkway. Our volunteer, non-profit group of members and Board of Directors work to ensure that the American River Parkway will survive and prosper for the benefit of future generations.
READ ABOUT OUR 2024 PRIORITIES
Current Land Related Issues
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Preserve the former Kassis Property Floodway in partnership with Preserve the American River
Unblock Easements on former Kassis Property - USACE/SAFCA/CVFPB's Proposed Levee Improvement Assessment
- Illegal Camping in the American River Parkway
- Folsom’s proposal for a River District Master Plan
- Poaching on the American River Parkway
- Off-paved Trail Cycling
- Why Expand Sutter's Landing Park? A video by George Nyberg
- Lower American River Conservancy Program
- Large Concert Events in Discovery Park
- Save Hinkle Creek Nature Area
- McKinley Village Project
- Joint Operations Center
Current Water Related Issues
- Media Alert: Water at Tiscornia Beach in Discovery Park is Contaminated and Unsafe for Swimming (June 12, 2021)
- Unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria have been found in Lake Natoma, Folsom Lake and the Lower American River
- Bureau of Reclamation should prioritize protection and propagation of Chinook salmon and steelhead (April 3, 2019)
- California Water News - Department of Water Resources
The water committee continues to meet with the Water Forum regarding outstanding technical issues on the latest proposed flow management standard. At the same time, SARA is still fighting efforts by water districts in the Sierra Nevada foothills to divert American River water and sell it to purveyors outside of the region. Enough water in the river is no help if the water is polluted. We have ongoing battles with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board over the issuing of sewer discharge permits that violate state and federal law.
SARA continues to work with allied organizations to institute reforms in the way California's water is managed. The ongoing drought has focused attention on the unregulated use of ground water and reservoirs and the historical practice of allocating water that does not exist. We are engaged in raising serious objections to the proposed Delta tunnels as a water management strategy for California's future. LEARN MORE.
Related Environmental Issues
In the News
Sacramento News & Review - March 5, 2024
After three-year community battle, development planned for Rancho Cordova’s last open space is stalled
By Hannah Ross
FOX40 News - October 1, 2023
Rancho Cordova Family Fall Fest Attendees Celebrate the Area's Natural Habitat
Elk Grove Daily News - December 29, 2022
Bill Jennings, legendary California fishery and water quality advocate, dies at age 79
By Dan Bacher
Roundhouse News & Review - May 24, 2022
Citizen Science: Tracking E. coli in the American River
By Madalyn Wright
The Sacramento Bee - August 24, 2021
See how draft horses are being used to remove debris from this Sacramento creek
By Sara Nevis
The Sacramento Bee - June 23, 2021
More fires are burning along American River Parkway. How can we save our local treasure?
By Ryan Sabalow, Phillip Reese, and Michael McGough
Sacramento News & Review - January 27, 2021
Rancho Cordova residents rally to save one of the city’s last pieces of open space
By Scott Thomas Anderson
The Sacramento Bee - May 28, 2020
American River in Sacramento still tainted with feces, despite new parkway bathrooms
By Ryan Sabalow and Theresa Clift
Fish Sniffer - January 13, 2020
Salmon Advocates Respond to Reclamation Plan to Cut Flows on American River
By Dan Bacher
The Sacramento Bee - September 12, 2019
‘What diluted sewage looks like.’ American River in Sacramento tainted with feces
By Ryan Sabalow and Vincent Moleski
Style Magazine - June 2019
Save the American River Association - Preserving the Parkway
By Sharon Penny
Daily Kos - April 3, 2019
Scientist urges Reclamation to reduce pre-spawning salmon mortality on American River this year
By Dan Bacher
Sacramento News & Review - January 23, 2019
Clear-cutting Sacramento’s crown jewel
By Stephen Green
The Sacramento Bee - June 18, 2018
They are building 11,000 new homes in Folsom. But will there be enough water?
By
May 30, 2018
Proposition 68 news conference at Sutter's Landing
The Sacramento Bee - April 18, 2018
Filth at popular beach exceeds regulatory standard, raises health risks for swimmers
By Ed Fletcher
The Sacramento Bee - October 11, 2017
Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma had high E. coli readings. Should the public be warned?
By Brad Branan
The Sacramento Bee - July 8, 2017
Here's how to save the American River Parkway
By Phil Serna - Sacramento County Supervisor
The Sacramento Bee - June 21, 2017
How Sacramento County supervisors blew it on parkway safety
By Stephen Green - Special to The Bee (SARA President)