Injunction Granted

From American River Trees:

Our injunction was granted!

On Thursday, Nov 20, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California granted American River Tree’s request for a Preliminary Injunction to enjoin any ground or vegetation disturbing activity on the American River Parkway authorized under Contract 3B until the Court reaches a decision on our case.

This means that tree clearing and other vegetation removal cannot start this Fall. This work cannot occur until our lawsuit is resolved on the merits by the Court. 

In its ruling, the Court stated:
"The court understands the importance of the Project, and Contract 3B specifically, in reducing the overall flood risk in the Sacramento metropolitan area. However, the Ninth Circuit has recognized the well-established “public interest in preserving nature and avoiding irreparable environmental injury.” The public interest in preserving the natural landscape along the Lower American River for recreational purposes is especially strong, where, as here, the river is designated for protection under both the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act."

"The court also recognizes the potential economic hardship to Defendants now that Contract 3B has been awarded. Although Defendants’ economic hardship and the overall flood risk in Sacramento are of serious concern, in balancing the equities, the scale tips sharply in favor of preserving the natural landscape along the Lower American River and the at least 675 trees, some of which are heritage trees, while this case is resolved on the merits."

Read the full document HERE

This is a GIANT step in the right direction!

Thank you all for continuing to step up and stand up for the Parkway in a grand display of “well-established public interest”. We could not have achieved this important step without you!

Over the next few months we will be continuing to pursue our legal action, increasing awareness among the public and elected and appointed officials, and raising funds to cover our legal and consulting expenses. 

Thanks again for your financial support! If you would like to donate to support our ongoing legal efforts, please donate here. 

Donations are made through the Save the American River Association (SARA) to the American River Trees (ART) Fund. SARA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and your donation is tax-deductible. 

What’s the lawsuit all about? 

"The goal of the lawsuit is not to stop the project," said Patrick Soluri, who is representing the Sacramento nonprofits [ART and SARA]. "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."

-SacBee News Article, August 28, 2025

Read (or skim) the request for a Preliminary Injunction filed by ART on October 3rd to legally prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the National Park Service, and their contractors and assigns from “undertaking any ground or vegetation disturbing activities—including site preparation, vegetation removal and tree felling—within the Project area” as part of the unnecessarily destructive American River Contract 3B Erosion Control project.

Read (or skim) the legally filed Complaint to see all the components of the Contract 3B Erosion project that ART is challenging. These include violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

You can also visit our website at AmericanRiverTrees.org for additional project information and details of our concerns. 

 

OTHER WAYS TO AID THE EFFORT

Connect with American River Trees on Facebook
Save the American River Parkway Group
Save the American River Parkway Page

Visit the ART YouTube channel youtube.com/@AmericanRiverTrees

Visit the ART website AmericanRiverTrees.org

Thank you for supporting efforts to preserve Sacramento’s Crown Jewel!

American River © Larry Hickey