Sacramento groups file federal lawsuit over American River Parkway tree removal
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Three nonprofits filed lawsuit to halt removing trees along the American River Parkway.
- The lawsuit claims habitats will be destroyed.
- The project could remove about 800 trees, harming wildlife and violating local ordinances.
A national conservation organization joined two Sacramento nonprofits to file a federal lawsuit over a plan to uproot hundreds of trees on the American River Parkway by government officials who say the work seeks to protect against flooding.
The Sacramento region is in one of the nation’s most flood-prone metropolitan areas, and its levee system is vulnerable to “erosion, seepage and stability,” the U.S. Army Corps said on its website.
The Corps will raze trees to install riprap, or rocks, along the lower American River, as well as fortify the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal, Arcade Creek and Magpie Creek. Advocates filed the lawsuit to seek alternative flood protection measures on the American River, north of the Watt Avenue bridge, than those proposed by the Corps.
But the Corps did not consider any other methods other than riprap, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday by the Save the American River Association, American River Trees organization and the Center for Biological Diversity in Eastern District of California. The nonprofits proposed measures such as “bioengineering” or less destructive, smaller rocks, the lawsuit said.
“The goal of the lawsuit is not to stop the project,” said Patrick Soluri, who is representing the Sacramento nonprofits. “The goal of the lawsuit is instead for the Army (Corps) to give meaningful consideration to the bioengineering alternative — which has been recommended by other federal agencies and even promised by the Army Corps in the past — so that the project does not destroy the natural resources of the American River.”
The lawsuit, filed against the Corps, U.S. National Park Service and a state entity called the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, claims the project violates federal and state’s wild and scenic rivers acts, the National Environmental Policy Act, Administrative Procedure Act, the California Environmental Quality Act and other laws. It also comes after the Central Valley Flood Protection Board unanimously voted last month to begin construction on the lower American River Parkway project, called 3B and 4B and led by the Corps.
“The section of the Parkway where the project would occur is one of the most highly-visited areas of the Parkway, used daily by people who live or travel here, seeking scenic views, nature trails, fishing, wildlife-watching, exercise, relaxation, a chance to visit and explore a rare riparian forest, or the opportunity to simply find a moment alone in a beautiful natural setting,” the lawsuit said. Respective spokespersons for the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the Corps, each said it does not comment on pending litigation. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“USACE is committed to reducing flood risk to the Sacramento region in partnership with our state and local partners and in compliance with the law,” said Corps spokesperson Maj. Kara Greene on Wednesday
Work under contracts 3B and 4B impacts about 3.3 miles, and goes against values contained within federal and state environmental laws which seek to protect the river, the lawsuit said.
The environmental impact reports also “failed to consider any potentially feasible alternatives to the project, instead only examining the proposed project or no action.” The report is also “based on flawed assumptions and erroneous findings,” the lawsuit said.
The American River Parkway is home to wildlife, such as otters, beavers, turtles, many bird species, opossum and more. Towering trees, some of which are hundreds of years old, provide shelter to these animals, the lawsuit said.
Proposed plans could decimate these habitats by removing about 800 trees across two projects. Workers will also trim trees or drive over roots, causing more damage, the lawsuit said.
The American River Parkway contains oak trees protected under a Sacramento County ordinance deeming that wood significant to the historical heritage of this area, the lawsuit said.
Publicly available federal documents about the project do not disclose how many heritage oak trees would be removed, potentially harmed or where that timber is located within the project, the lawsuit said.
The nonprofits are seeking a ruling declaring Corps and U.S. National Service violated state and national environmental laws; the Central Valley Flood Protection Board to set aside its approval of the project; and stop the Corps from starting construction unless the work is compliant with the law.
The Corps is set to begin construction next summer and wrap up the project in 2027. If the lower American River Parkway plan goes through, it could take centuries for the area to be restored, the lawsuit said.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM.
