January 9, 2026
Early this month, ECOS received a lot of well-deserved media coverage for standing up to developers in Sacramento County on three separate projects.
PROJECT UPDATES
Coyote Creek
In a nice start to the new year, SMUD backed away from the Coyote Creek agrivoltaic project in eastern Sacramento County. The developers could still build if they can find a buyer for the power, but ECOS and the California Native Plant Society are maintaining their lawsuit to void the special use permit approved by the County. The decision received considerable media attention and links are provided below. There are two other lawsuits as well, filed by the Wilton Rancheria, and the California 4 Wheel Drive Association (Cal4Wheel), American Sand Association, and BlueRibbon Coalition (OHV groups).
ECOS and its partners, Sierra Club, 350 Sacramento, California Native Plant Society, Sacramento Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity, California Wildlife Foundation, Central Valley Bird Club, Third Act, and Sierra Access Coalition are grateful for the depth of opposition you brought to the Board of Supervisors.
Upper Westside Project
In December, the County sent out the Partially Recirculated Draft EIR. Public comment is due Jan 27, 2026. The document highlights two changes made to the Draft EIR. The Natomas Central Mutual Water District (NCMED) is introduced as a potential domestic water supply source. Its primary customers are agricultural. Change to the traffic circulation network is also proposed, including traffic calming on San Juan Rd to discourage through traffic on Garden Highway and El Centro Rd.
In opposing this project, ECOS is partnering with nearby neighbors and residents, including the Garden Highway Community Association. Links are provided below to a recent Bee article and to the Revised Draft EIR.
Airport South Industrial Project
The City Council voted 5 to 2 in December to approve this project. ECOS, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and Sierra Club filed lawsuits against the City. They had previously filed a lawsuit against LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission). The lawsuits are necessary because, instead of LAFCO and the City representing differing interests, they are designated as “co-lead agencies” of the project, a clear conflict of interest. LAFCO will vote on the project again this spring.
What Can You Do?
Help pay for the lawsuits. There is no magic donor waiting in the wings. The donations you give to ECOS are paying for this good work. Your contribution of $25 or $500 is much appreciated and needed. There can be no lawsuits without your donations. Donate here.
PS. If not you, who?
LINKS
This week, ECOS and your opposition to these projects, received a remarkable amount of media coverage. Please take a look. Google topics to get the latest as suggested below – as I write, we continue to give interviews.
Coyote Creek
Sacramento Bee, Jan 5, 2026: SMUD ends power deal for Coyote Creek solar project tied to environmental suit
Capital Public Radio, Jan 7, 2026: SMUD cancels agreement to purchase power from Coyote Creek solar project
Click here for more news on Coyote Creek.
If you google “Coyote Creek News” you will see reporting by ABC 10, Fox 40, The Business Journal, Abridged and CBS Sacramento, among others.
Upper Westside
Sacramento Bee, Dec 17, 2025: Sacramento County still lacks reliable water as Serna loves a bad project
The Revised Draft EIR (600 plus pages) is available here.
• Comments are due January 27, 2026
• Send them to Julie Newton, Environmental Coordinator Department of Community Development, Division of Planning and Environmental Review 7th Street, Room 225, Sacramento, 95814.
• Or via Email: CEQA[at]saccounty[dot]gov
Airport South Industrial
Both the Sacramento Business Journal and the Sacramento Bee wrote articles about the lawsuits against the City, LAFCO and Northpoint on January 6, 2026. ECOS posted them here but you may need to google “Airport South Industrial News” to avoid paywalls. CBS News, Hoodline and Fox 40 have also provided coverage.
Thank you for being part of ECOS and supporting us. If you are more comfortable paying for an ECOS membership, than donating to our legal funds, please, join ECOS here. Your membership helps pay our staff and other costs.
