Sacramento’s American River Parkway, long cherished as a community green space and local wildlife haven, is now at the center of a heated debate. The Sacramento Bee reported that officials have greenlit a federal plan to raze 600 trees, despite passionate protests and lingering concerns over its long-term effectiveness.
What’s happening?
Last Friday, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board unanimously approved the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to bolster flood defenses by removing trees and reinforcing banks along 11 miles of the lower American River and nearby creeks. The agency said the project is necessary to prevent erosion and protect infrastructure in the event of a 200-year flood.
However, residents and environmental groups such as Save American River Trees and Save the American River Association argue the plan is too destructive — and not effective enough. A report revealed that, even after construction, levees along the river would only be 60% protected in such an extreme flood event, compared to 90% protection promised elsewhere.
“This is Sacramento’s Yosemite, our Yellowstone,” biologist and educator Marni Fylling-Ellison said during public comment, per the Bee.
Why is this project concerning?
Critics said the plan prioritizes short-term safety over long-term environmental and community well-being. Four hours of public comment laid bare deep fears about the irreversible damage to a beloved ecosystem…