Do you know someone making a real difference for the environment in our region? Help us recognize their impact by submitting a nomination for the Environmentalist of the Year Awards! Whether they’re leading bold climate action, protecting natural resources, advocating for environmental justice, or inspiring others to live more sustainably, we want to celebrate their contributions. Your nomination shines a light on the people and projects creating lasting change. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor local heroes—nominate someone today!
The deadline to submit nominations is September 1, 2025.
Friends – after the head-spinning events of last week, here is a summary of what happened and links to media coverage as well as a status of all the projects proposed outside the USB in the Natomas Basin. The Bee has published a series of articles about Upper Westside. They are listed below; select one and write a letter to the editor.
Proposed Upper Westside Project
The Board of Supervisors cancelled their meeting and their vote on the project that was scheduled for August 20, 2025. The vote on Upper Westside is “continued to a date uncertain”.
The City sent their official letter of opposition to the Board of Supervisors on August 19 and we hope this pause means that the City and the County are going to work together AND observe the agreements that have governed development in the Natomas Basin for the last 30 years.
We think that the Supervisors will wish to vote on this project soon, but we are not sure how they will treat the City’s objections or all the objections raised by you in your letters and comments on the agenda item.
The Rally was GREAT!
Six media outlets, Lisa Kaplan, Karina Talamantes, and about 100 to 120 neighbors and residents of Natomas participated. Several residents and our speakers were interviewed. Find interviews and photos of the event in “Links” below . Check out the photos for yourself and your neighbors.
Thanks to you all who shared this information, used social media, posted flyers and emailed friends so that we had such a good turnout. And thanks to the residents of Garden Highway and the Garden Highway Community Association who organized the Rally, made the signs, did terrific outreach and made it happen.
WE (all of us together) have demonstrated strong, educated and technical opposition. Perhaps it is making the Supervisors think harder about this project than they planned. However, they could schedule a vote at any time.
Proposed Airport South Project
This project has not been voted on by the City, we anticipate a vote in October.
Proposed Grandpark Southwest and Grandpark Trails
Both projects have started the review process of potential environmental effects, as part of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), by reaching out to agencies that will be involved in the review process They held formal Notice of Preparation meetings and the agencies will provide comment. Both of these projects have numerous similarities to Upper Westside, including a reliance on City water.
Links
Media Coverage of the Rally
Sacramento County delays Natomas housing vote after community pushback, ABC 10 video
Sacramento County postpones vote on Natomas Housing Project, KCRA 3, video
Many great photos of Rally participants and an article on the Facebook page of N Magazine – thank you Dennis Spear!
Debunking the “We-Need-More-Housing Myth” – This article in the Bee explains why we do not need to permit more greenfields for development to meet housing demand in Sacramento! See the article here.
Take Action
A Sacramento Bee’s editor, Tom Philp, has written a series of terrific articles about Upper Westside, history, issues, process and more. Read his Opinion pieces here and write a letter to the Bee editors expressing your opinion on one of the issues raised or simply, thank them for these excellent articles. The articles listed are saved together in date order, here.
“Sacramento Supervisor Phil Serna Chickens Out of Facing Natomas Neighbors” August 20, 2025
“Why Approving a Bad Mega-Project in Natomas Won’t Add to Regional Housing” August 19, 2025
“Why the Supervisors Will Say Yes to a Horrible Sacramento Housing Project” August 18, 2025
A Huge Sacramento Project has no Water yet it is up for a Vote. Why” August 11, 2025
“Sacramento Fights Back and Opposes the County’s Terrible Natomas Project” August 12, 2025
“Will Sacramento challenge the county on sprawling northward? It’s time “ August 8, 2025
“Phil Serna isn’t sticking up for Natomas Schools in a development showdown” August 7, 2025
“Supervisor Phil Serna has disrespected Sacramento’s role in growth. Why?” August 4, 2025
“Supervisors want sprawl to the Sacramento River?” Republished August 1, 2025, Republished August 1, 2025
Write a Letter to the Editor of the Bee
Write a Letter to the Editor and reference one of Tom Philp’s articles. Submit it here. You are only allowed 150 words and letters are only published on Sundays. The more letters that are submitted, the greater the chance of one being published – so – write something!
What’s Next?
We’ll wait until we know when the next vote is scheduled and then will again ask for your participation in letter writing, attending hearings and submitting comments.
Photos in this post taken by Monika Lee and Dennis Spear
Thursday, August 28, 2025 Wilton Community Center 9717 Colony Road, Wilton CA 95693 6:00 PM doors open – 6:15 PM presentation
Join the Coyote Creek Solar Project for a community meeting focused on the Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Solar Project (CCAR) and its intersection with the Prairie City Vehicular Recreation Area (PCSVRA).
You can read the letter from ECOS about this project here.
Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Solar Project
This interactive event will include:
A comprehensive overview of the project, including infrastructure planned within the PCSVRA and anticipated temporary closures of trails and the go-kart track.
Enhancements proposed by the project to elevate the overall PCSVRA user experience.
An update on the project timeline and key milestones
A live Q&A session with project representatives—covering topics such as water use, noise and dust impacts, and other frequently asked questions.
A call-in option for those who are unable to attend in person
Can’t attend in person? Call-in details will be provided ahead of the event. Hosted for the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Community. All OHV riders, users, local residents, and interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) Climate Change Committee Meeting: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Featuring a special presentation on the “Climate Compass”: Elk Grove’s Plan to Implement Climate, Sustainability, & Resilience Goals
Zoom Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 | To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155 And in-person, at Mogavero Architects, 1322 T St., Sacramento, CA
The City of Elk Grove is updating its draft climate action plan, titled the “Climate Compass”. Intended as a roadmap for climate mitigation and adaptation, it also addresses broader sustainability and resilience efforts.
New measures are proposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from transportation and buildings – through policies such as compact development, electric vehicle infrastructure, and building energy efficiency.
City efforts have been led by Carrie Whitlock, Elk Grove’s Long Range Planning Program Manager. She has been working on climate, sustainability, and resilience in Elk Grove since 2019. Previously, Carrie worked on climate change at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and 20 years for the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, serving in Rwanda and Cambodia.
5:30 PM: Social period (join us for snacks and drinks!) 6:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions 6:10 PM:Carrie Whitlock will overview the Climate Compass and the Climate Compass Dashboard which lists the Compass actions and impacts. Compass comments are due August 15; ECOS and others have submitted comments. Carrie will share her thoughts on how the Compass may be revised in light of the comments received. State legislation calls for carbon neutrality by 2045, a goal that has been made more difficult by federal actions this year.
ECOS Letter
On August 15, 2025, ECOS submitted a letter to the City of Elk Grove regarding their Climate Action Plan, also called the Climate Compass. Click here to read the letter. Click here for the attachment to the letter.
Join the discussion and learn more about the City of Elk Grove climate plans!
After Q&A, we’ll have updates and announcements (open to all). Updates to include recent Sacramento City & County actions on Natomas development projects.
This month both the City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings include the Upper Westside Project. Please put these dates on your calendar and plan to attend. Please note that the topic of the City’s August 12 meeting has changed dramatically.
City Council to Take a Stand on Upper Westside
Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 at 2 PM, City Hall, 915 ‘I’ St, Sacramento. Agenda here.
The City Council will discuss a Motion authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver a letter addressed to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors expressing the City Council’s opposition to the Upper Westside Specific Plan.
Please attend to express your opposition to Upper Westside!
NOTE: If passed, the City’s resolution would be precedent setting for the Grandpark projects also.
In person – Come to City Hall at 915 ‘I’ Street, enter council chambers, and submit a speaker slip to provide in person public comment on Agenda item #8. When your name is called, you will have 2 minutes to speak. You can also hold a sign/piece of paper stating “No on UWSP”.
E-Comment – You can provide electronic comment here. Reference Item # 8 on the Agenda. Your comment will go to all members of the City Council. See “Talking Points” below.
Possible vote by Board of Supervisors on Upper Westside Project
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote to approve or disapprove the UWSP on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 2 PM, 700 H St, Sacramento. However, the Board will not publish the agenda for this meeting until August 13, after the City Council vote. Please keep this date on your calendar – an update will follow.
Learn more about the Upper Westside Project and Share on Social Media
Video – Natomas residents and homeowners will be negatively impacted by this project. In this video local residents speak out about their opposition to the project. Put it on social media!
Articles in the Bee – Sacramento Bee editor, Tom Philp, has been writing about UWSP and City and County agreements. Read his four recent Opinion pieces here:
Phil Serna isn’t sticking up for Natomas Schools in a development showdown” August 7, 2025
“Supervisor Phil Serna has disrespected Sacramento’s role in growth. Why?” August 4, 2025
“Supervisors want sprawl to the Sacramento river?” Republished August 1, 2025
“Do you want Sacramento to look like Orange County? It Could Happen.” Republished August 1, 2025
Write a Letter to the Editor and reference one of these articles. Submit it here. You are only allowed 150 words and letters are only published on Sundays.
Put these articles on social media too.
Talking Points for August 12 or for e-comment
State where you live. (All City Council members will vote and need to know that their constituents support the Resolution).
Thank you and please vote FOR this resolution against Upper Westside
The City and County must work together. Please observe and respect existing agreements as described in the City’s analysis.
Do not allow the County to destroy the careful balance of urban development and habitat conservation in Natomas.
Write a few sentences about why this issue is important to you. Possible topics:
I oppose further development on greenfields in our region
I oppose urbanization of farmland by City and County
Climate change demands we stop urban growth and focus on infill as per the City General Plan
Respect current urbanization boundaries and the air quality plan.
We have an obligation to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species in Natomas
Open space is a high priority for people and quality of life – keep the balance of farms and habitat in Natomas
Thank you for your support and for joining us in opposition to these projects. We need 200 people at the meeting on August 12th. See you there.
The Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday, August 20 at 2 pm, 700 H St, Sacramento to vote on whether to approve or deny the Upper Westside Project. This is despite the City Council resolution opposing the project. Plan to attend.
Take Action
Contact your supervisor directly – make a personal call or email directly to your supervisor to urge a NO vote on Upper Westside. To identify who your supervisor is and their contact information go here.
On August 12, 2025, the Sacramento City Council met and voted to pass a resolution (eight to one) opposing the County’s proposed development – the Upper Westside Project. This is a unique stand for the City to oppose a County project. However, City staff enumerated a compelling list of reasons ranging from water supply to services and roads, to congestion and flood preparedness.
The City also reviewed the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan and other agreements in place between the City and County such as the Natomas Joint Vision. These agreements will be part of the review process of any development proposed in the County, including the two proposed Grandpark projects. The City has brought the importance of these agreements into sharp focus.
Next,Mayor McCarty will transmit the City Resolution to Board of Supervisors Chair Phil Serna. The City will seek consultation on the issues.
Learn more about the Upper Westside Project and Share on Social Media
Videos – Natomas residents and homeowners will be negatively impacted by this project. In this video local residents speak out about their opposition to the project.
See and share this wonderful video “Grassland Birds of Natomas” created by Natomas high school student and board member of the Sacramento Audubon Society.
Articles in the Bee – Sacramento Bee editor, Tom Philp, has been writing about UWSP and City and County agreements. Read his Opinion pieces here.
Write a Letter to the Editor and reference one of Tom Philp’s articles. Submit it here. You are only allowed 150 words and letters are only published on Sundays.
Put the Bee articles on social media.
It is very important for us to keep up pressure on the members of the Board of Supervisors. Email and call them, and, attend the meeting on the 20th.
