American River Tress members ask that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to use different methods to prevent erosion at the American River Parkway. Photo courtesy of American River Trees

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, is proposing to remove more than 600 trees and acres of riparian vegetation along the Wild and Scenic American River. This includes potentially dozens of heritage oak trees, some older than the country itself, as part of an erosion control effort.

Driving over the H Street bridge in the past few years, one can see how the landscape has changed. The same fate is in store for large stretches of the north side of the American River Parkway from Howe Avenue to Watt Avenue, and on the south side from east Watt Avenue to Larchmont Community Park.

The American River Parkway was established in 1959. It is the only state and federally designated Wild and Scenic River flowing through an urban area. Often referred to as “the jewel” of the Sacramento region, it attracts more than 8 million visits a year and generates over $365 million for our local economy.

American River Trees (ART) is a grassroot, volunteer advocacy group working to preserve the American River Parkway trees and its wildlife habitat corridor. American River Trees asks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to “pause, engage the community and develop alternative designs” for a better, more focused, appropriate method of preventing erosion on this beautiful stretch of natural paradise. This is in keeping with the American River Management Plan and the Lower American River Conservancy program to protect and restore the natural resources of this river.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will issue its final environmental report, including responses to public comments, this spring. Vegetation clearing could begin as early as fall. The reports and related information are available on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/.

American River Trees encourages all interested parties to contact their elected representatives and let them know how you feel about this project. More information and sample letters are online at Americanrivertrees.org.

We also invite all to our May 4 riverside protest, Walk for Wildlife, to save the natural plants and animals affected by this construction. For more information, visit Americanrivertrees.org.