At issue in the future is what plan Elk Grove has for growth.
County signs off on habitat plan
But fears persist over Elk Grove's desires to eventually expand.
By Ed Fletcher - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sacramento County supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward with a plan to protect habitat for endangered and threatened species in a huge swath of the county south of the American River.
What they didn't do was put to rest fear among environmentalists that Elk Grove eventually will be allowed to develop land south of its current borders.
Elk Grove officials asked that up to 9,100 acres of unincorporated Sacramento County south of Kammerer Road be studied for development -- sparking outrage from environmentalists.
Jacquelin DeLu, docent for the Consumes River Preserve, said she came to the meeting to speak on behalf of the sandhill crane -- one of a dozen threatened or endangered species in the area.
"When they come here, they are finding less and less places to eat," DeLu said. "I would like to know, who is going to represent these critters."
Once in place, the South County Habitat Conservation Plan will provide a consistent set of rules for developing and preserving land within the boundaries. The plan designates which areas are anticipated for urban growth, and which areas will be targeted as habitat preservation.
Under the plan, south county developers would have to protect about an acre of habitat for every acre built on. The plan covers two-thirds of the unincorporated county and the cities of Rancho Cordova, Galt and Elk Grove.
