SYRCL in Sacramento: Direct Advocacy is Key to a Healthy Yuba

May is one of the busiest months in Sacramento’s historic Capitol building. As the rest of California starts easing into summer and vacation mode, Sacramento hits high gear: legislators race to move their bills forward, state budget negotiations intensify, and critical decisions are made that directly affect California’s rivers, forests, wildlife, and communities.  

That’s why SYRCL was in Sacramento this month participating in both Sierra Day and Rivers Day — two coordinated advocacy events that brought together environmental leaders, river advocates, scientists, recreation groups, and community organizations from across California. 

Advocacy and on-the-ground work are inseparable at SYRCL. The policies and funding decisions made in Sacramento directly shape what happens here at home — from forest restoration and wildfire resilience to salmon recovery, river protections, water management, and climate adaptation funding. 

Showing up matters. 

This year, SYRCL met directly with legislators and staff to elevate the needs of the Yuba watershed and advocate for long-term investments in healthy forests, clean water, and resilient communities. 

SYRCL’s advocacy work is strengthened through partnership with statewide conservation, watershed, fishing, outdoor recreation, and environmental organizations that track legislation, regulatory proposals, and the state budget year-round. These partnerships allow us to share expertise and coordinate strategy, while amplifying our voice on issues affecting California’s rivers and public lands. Through these alliances, local Yuba River priorities become part of larger statewide conversations — helping ensure decisionmakers hear strong, consistent messages about climate resilience, watershed protection, habitat restoration, and sustainable water policy.

Organized by the Sierra Nevada Alliance and Sierra Business Council, Sierra Day on April 28, 2026, focused heavily on wildfire resilience, forest health, watershed protection, and support for Sierra communities. SYRCL highlighted our collaborative work as a member of the North Yuba Forest Partnership and Sierra Meadows Partnership — partnerships that work to improve forest resilience, reduce wildfire risk, restore habitat, and help protect California’s water supply. 

A key message throughout the day was the Sierra Nevada’s outsized importance to the entire state. Nearly 60% of California’s developed water supply originates in the Sierra, yet watersheds like the Yuba represent only a tiny fraction of the state, both in land area and population. Throughout the day, SYRCL emphasized that investments in Sierra watersheds are investments in California’s future.  

At Friends of the River’s Rivers Day, SYRCL’s focus turned to river protection, salmon recovery, climate resilience, and accelerating on-the-ground restoration projects. SYRCL joined river advocates from across the state in supporting policies and funding that can help restore habitat, improve ecosystem resilience, and protect rivers facing mounting pressure from climate change, drought, and biodiversity loss.  

SYRCL is tracking the following bills: 

• Tribal Waters Bill (SUPPORT AB 2218) —This bill is aimed at strengthening tribal inclusion in California water policy by requiring state agencies to better incorporate tribal perspectives and consultation into water planning and decision-making. The bill does not create new water rights, revoke existing rights, or impose immediate changes to current water operations. 
• Groundwater diversion and permit bill (OPPOSE AB 2026) — While groundwater recharge can be an important tool, this bill could allow excessive river diversions beyond true flood conditions and reduce flows needed to support fish, wildlife, and healthy rivers. We believe the State Water Board should retain the authority to carefully evaluate these diversions. 
• SUPPORT AB 35 — The bill helps ensure Proposition 4 climate and resilience funding can be invested efficiently in wildfire resilience and forest restoration projects.  
• SUPPORT AB 1699 — This legislation reduces barriers to beneficial fire and prescribed burning, supporting healthier forests and reducing catastrophic wildfire risk.  
• SUPPORT AB 2578 — The bill supports outdoor recreation and equitable access to parks and green spaces, strengthening community connections to rivers and public lands. 

The decisions made in Sacramento carry real consequences for our watershed. They determine whether restoration projects move forward, whether climate resilience funding reaches local communities, whether salmon have a chance to recover, and whether future generations will inherit healthy, flowing rivers.

The future of the Yuba River is shaped not only in the watershed, but also in Sacramento. SYRCL is committed to showing up in both places. SYRCL will continue bringing the voice of the Yuba to the Capitol — fighting for healthy forests, resilient communities, and thriving rivers across the Sierra .