CODE RED - ACTION ALERT for all OHV Trail and Competition
Users
*This is a longer than usual alert due to the importance
of PCSVRA and the complexity of the issue.
QWR wants to alert the OHV racing and casual use community
about a proposal to site a 2,704 acre 200-megawatt
solar facility next to the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Division’s Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA).
COYOTE CREEK AGRIVOLTAIC RANCH – DEIR (752 pages)
https://planning.saccounty.gov/Pages/Coyote-Creek-Agrivoltaic-Ranch.aspx
The project’s 230-kilovolt (kV) gen-tie line would be
approximately 1.3 miles long and would parallel the boundary of the SVRA. The
gen-tie line would connect with a new switchyard that would be constructed to
interconnect into the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Following
construction of the switchyard, SMUD would own and operate the switchyard facilities.
While many Californians support sustainable solar
projects they also believe that impacts to existing open space recreation
facilities should be minimized and the trail opportunities respected and
protected.
The DEIR states on page 3-47… “Because there are no
feasible mitigation measures available to reduce the project’s significant impact
from substantial adverse effects on scenic vistas as viewed from the Prairie
City SVRA, this impact is significant and unavoidable.
What the DEIR does not address is how siting a major
industrial power facility adjacent to Prairie City SVRA could impact the
long-term viability of the unit staying open for casual OHV recreation and 2 or
4 wheel powersports events such as the Hangtown Motocross Classic or the NorCal
Rock Racing Ultra4 Stampede.
It does not appear the project proponents presented this
issue before the CA State Parks OHMVR Commission as required by CA PRC Section
5090.24 (a) that requires the OHMVR Commission to “Be fully informed regarding
all governmental activities affecting the program.” A hearing before the commission would better
inform the riders, competition organizations, and powersports businesses.
The DEIR did not meaningfully discuss how the project
would impact existing casual and competition uses including access to adequate
water supplies for managing OHV operations that is already an issue at the SVRA.
The solar project offers no solution and would only compound the water shortage
and quality problems.
The DEIR did not meaningfully discuss what dust related (generated
by routine operations)solar project mitigation or maintenance requirements (i.e.
washing solar panels) would be imposed onto the SVRA and what the associated
costs shouldered by the OHV Trust Fund would be. There are also easement concerns for project
facilities on SVRA property.
SEND YOUR OWN PERSONAL LETTER TODAY – Tell them who you
are and why PCSVRA is important to you, your family or business. Feel free to reference the aforementioned
bullet points and be sure and ask they pause this process until after it is officially
presented at the June 11-12, 2025 CA OHMVR Commission meeting.
EMAIL TO: CEQA@saccounty.gov
Sacramento County,
Department of Community Development, Planning and
Environmental Review Division
Attention: Environmental Coordinator
827 7th Street, Room 225
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch Project - Control
Number: PLNP2021-00191 - State
Clearinghouse Number: 2022010271
Dear Environmental Coordinator,
[INSERT PERSONAL STORY/USE AT PCSVRA]
[INSERT CONCERNS ABOUT PROJECT PROPOSAL]
Sincerely,
____________________________________________________
The Recreation HQ thanks you for taking time to send in
your comments and concerns!
