California solar project limits mature blue oak removals to 200 in East Sacramento County

The Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch Project, located on the Barton Ranch property in East Sacramento County, was initially approved to remove about 3,500 mature blue oak trees for solar development, according to ecoportal.net.

The project, approved by Sacramento County in November 2025, covers 1,412 acres of the 2,704-acre site, which includes oak-dotted hills and important natural habitats.

Concerns arose over the impact on mature blue oaks, wetlands, rare native plants, and wildlife habitats, sparking debate about balancing clean energy development with habitat preservation.

In October 2026, a revised conservation agreement was reached, limiting mature blue oak removals to no more than 200 trees if the terms hold true, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the project.