Title
Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Planning Commission:
1) Receive a presentation on River Management Plan Updates; and
2) Discuss and provide input to Parks Division staff on proposed updates to the:
a. Draft 2025-26 River Management Plan Update, and
b. El Dorado County Ordinance Code 4594 Chapter 5.48 Streams and Rivers Commercial Boating, Code 4596 Chapter 5.50 Specific Use Regulations for the South Fork of the American River, and Code 3274 Section 12.64.070 Use of Personal Flotation Device.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The El Dorado County River Management Plan (RMP) is designed to serve as an active, evolving tool that implements the County’s river management goals for the 20.7-mile segment of the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Dam and the confluence of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
Every year, an annual report is prepared on the year’s river management activities, and every five years, the annual reports are reviewed and compiled into a summary report. The five-year summary is intended to provide opportunities for ongoing refinement of the RMP in response to results of annual operations review to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and the most efficient use of County resources.
The existing RMP, adopted in 2018 by Resolution 018-2018 (Legistar item 18-0182), was updated to reflect initial text changes recommended by staff in the Draft Five-Year Summary for the period of 2019 to 2023. On January 18, 2024 (Legistar item 24-0132), PRC provided input and additional recommendations that were incorporated into the Draft Five-Year Summary, establishing further updates to the Draft RMP Update.
On March 12, 2024 (Legistar item 24-0429), staff provided an update on the Draft Five-Year Summary with staff and PRC recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
The Board provided conceptual approval, pursuant to Board Policy A-3, on June 24, 2025 (Legistar item 25-0982) to amend County Ordinance Chapter 5.48, Streams and Rivers Commercial Boating, and on January 27, 2026, to amend County Ordinance Chapter 5.50 Specific Use Regulations for the South Fork of the American River and Ordinance Section 12.64.070 Use of Personal Flotation Device.
On August 7, 2025 (Legistar item 25-1351), staff presented recommended updates to the Draft RMP Update and Ordinance Chapters 5.48 and 5.50 to the Coloma Lotus Advisory Committee (CLAC) for their review and input. CLAC provided input and formed an Ad Hoc Committee that provided further input and recommendations.
On March 3, 2026 (Legistar item 26-0339), staff presented updated recommended updates to the Draft RMP Update and Ordinance Chapters 5.48 and 5.50 to the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) for their review and input.
The PRC formed an Ad-Hoc Committee which met with the CLAC Ad-Hoc Committee on March 12, 2026 to discuss CLAC Ad-Hoc’s input, and PRC made final recommendations to Parks Division which were incorporated into the Draft RMP Update and Ordinances.
Further updates have been made to the Draft RMP Update and Ordinances after further review by staff and County Counsel. A summary of updates can be found in the RMP Matrix Summary of Updates.
Parks Division requests that the Planning Commission review and provide input on the Draft RMP Update and Ordinances in accordance with Chapter IV RMP Review and Revision Process of the RMP.
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager
Chief Administrative Office, Parks and Trails Division