Sacramento County development threatens a giant, shy snake. Why does that matter? November 20, 2025, The Sacramento Bee

By Jake Goodrick | November 20, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee

While the Sacramento project that had advanced the most stalled this summer after strongly-worded pushback from city officials, stewards of the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan — a 50-year effort to build in the basin while preserving habitat for its native species — wonder whether the agreement can endure the county’s unexpected influx of construction. Only so much land exists in the basin for the conservancy to protect its required part, which Roberts said could not happen if the county’s developments were to move forward. “No more of this. It’s a complete end to this.” Roberts said, waving to the intricately carved dirt lot, seeing the wetlands to take its place. “We’re certain that we cannot implement any more of the (habitat plan) if these developments take place. And we’re not equivocal about that. We’re resolute.”

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Why approving a bad mega-project in Natomas won’t add to regional housing, August 19, 2025, The Sacramento Bee

By Tom Philp | August 19, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee

Approving an Un-Natomas, the basin’s first Uncity, would be a huge step backward, regional planning at its very worst. For being so close to downtown, Pluckebaum’s rosy perspective aside, Upper Westside is a last century project, as it sets aside more than half of its housing land for low-density neighborhoods.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article311750253.html#storylink=cpy

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Why supervisors will say yes to a horrible Sacramento housing project, August 18, 2025, The Sacramento Bee

By Tom Philp | August 18, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee

These supervisors are wired to overlook how Upper Westside has no water supply. Or an agreement with the Natomas Unified School District to help pay the hundreds of millions of dollars for four new schools. Or a plan to preserve the river environment that is consistent with a quarter century of planning in the surrounding Natomas Basin and local agreements with state and federal wildlife officials.

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Sacramento City Council formally opposes Upper Westside Natomas development, August 13, 2025, CapRadio

By Tony Rodriguez | August 13, 2025 | CapRadio

Former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, now president of the Environmental Council of Sacramento, told the council the plan is a severe danger to the vital grassy areas of the city.

“There is no reason why we can’t include nature in our plans. There is no reason why we should think that we’re the most important species in the world, and that we don’t have an obligation to make room for other species,” Fargo said.

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