Sacramento Area Sewer District

The Bufferlands Master Plan establishes a long-term, cost-effective management direction for the Bufferlands surrounding the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP). Key focus areas include maintaining the existing buffer zone, accommodating future SRWTP expansion, and protecting and enhancing environmental resources. The plan provides guidelines and policies for alternative land uses, visitor access, and vegetation and wildlife management, incorporating objectives such as preserving open space, enhancing wildlife habitat, facilitating educational public enjoyment, and generating lease revenues, all within a framework of environmental regulatory compliance.

This Master Plan outlines four management alternatives for the Bufferlands, culminating in a Preferred Management Alternative designed to balance cost-effectiveness with proactive management. Key strategic areas include hydrology, water quality, mosquito control, habitat and wildlife, cultural resources, aesthetic resources, environmental education, research and development, infrastructure, mitigation commitments, and lease management. The plan aims to ensure continued plant operation and expansion, maintain security, minimize community conflicts, protect sensitive natural and cultural resources, and provide public use and educational opportunities.

This Master Plan outlines the management objectives and policies for land use on the Bufferlands, providing overall direction and purpose for its management. Key strategic objectives include maintaining the Bufferlands' function for Plant operations, preserving open space and high-quality wildlife habitat, mitigating environmental impacts, fostering community relationships, promoting public enjoyment and education, and generating lease revenues. The plan establishes policies for general land use, public safety, public use, environmental education, research and development, cultural resources, aesthetic resources, and water quality, alongside land-use specific policies for managed wildlife habitat, open space, leased areas, horticultural areas, and plant process facilities. The intended outcomes are to ensure compatible land use, protect human life and property, enhance public benefits, and safeguard natural and cultural resources.

This document outlines three management alternatives (Custodial, Current, and Expanded) for the Bufferlands, serving as an appendix to the Bufferlands Master Plan. The overarching goal across these alternatives is to ensure continued plant operation and expansion while maintaining plant security, minimizing community conflicts, protecting resources, and managing leased areas. Key strategic pillars include Hydrology Management, Water Quality Management, Mosquito Management, Habitat and Wildlife Management, Cultural Resource Management, Aesthetic Resource Management, Infrastructure Management, Mitigation Commitments Management, and Lease Management. The alternatives progressively expand the scope of management from basic custodial care to enhanced resource protection, public use, education, and research opportunities.

The 2021 State of the District report for the Sacramento Area Sewer District outlines the organization's mission to protect public health and the environment by efficiently collecting sewage, and its vision to set the bar for essential services. The report details operational performance, service commitment, customer satisfaction, community engagement, financial stability, infrastructure maintenance programs, and major capital projects. It highlights accomplishments, awards, and how the organization lives its values, aiming to ensure reliable service and environmental stewardship for the community.