Proposed erosion protection measures impact to trees and habitat along the Lower American River

Save the American River Association is working with American River Trees (ART) to oppose the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)/Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) levee work on portions of the Lower American River as proposed in the draft SEIS/SEIR. Many have seen the erosion protection measures at Paradise Beach, Campus Commons Golf Course, H Street Bridge, and Sac State/Howe. These huge engineering projects resulted in almost total removal of trees and vegetation from the Lower American River and Parkway.

The upcoming Contract 3B envisions similar devastating impacts to areas of the River and Parkway between Howe Avenue bridge and Watt Avenue bridge, continuing a mile upstream of the Watt Avenue bridge to the vicinity of Mayhew/Rio Bravo Circle on the River's south bank, and Estates Drive on the north bank. The work includes access ramps behind Rio Bravo and an equipment staging area in Larchmont Community Park.

Project overview: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District - American River Levees 

UPDATES

See the recording of the April 8, 2024, community meeting hosted by the Office of Congressman Ami Bera
See American River Trees' response to the community meeting (April 20, 2024)

See letter from American River Trees to USACE Sacramento District Colonel Chad Caldwell requesting a meeting (March 21, 2024)

See excerpt from Sacramento County Supervisor, Rich Desmond's newsletter (February 12, 2024) 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Parkway advocates and concerned citizens are mobilizing to question the efficacy of these massive erosion protection measures in the areas of the River and Parkway identified in Contract 3B.

You can support this effort in the following ways:

1) Contact the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency Board and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.
Insist that the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hold an in-person public meeting. As the Corps' local partners, SAFCA and the CVFPB hold the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the project's impacts on Sacramento's "crown jewel," our River and Parkway, are thoroughly explained and justified to the satisfaction of the Sacramento community and the people of the State of California.

2) Visit the American River Trees Web site. 
Go to americanrivertrees.org to learn about the potential impacts to the Lower American River (Howe to Larchmont) and how you can help.

3) Sign the petition. 
Insist that the US Army Corps of Engineers work with local, state and federal officials and the public, to reassess these proposals and methods, and achieve a balance for flood protection that does not destroy hundreds of trees, and degrade the wild and scenic river for generations. We are asking for: A pause to the project, increased community engagement, and alternative designs!

4) Make a donation. 
Your donation to American River Trees (ART) supports our efforts to preserve the Wild and Scenic Lower American River and Parkway trees and wildlife habitat corridor.

IN THE NEWS

The American River Parkway Needs Our Help
College Glen Neighborhood Newsletter
April 2024

Taming the American River means losing some trees. We caused this by living here | Opinion
The Sacramento Bee
April 17, 2024

Concerns grow over tree clearing along American River for flood infrastructure plan 
ABC10
January 16, 2024