Sacramento County supervisors voted Nov. 18 to certify an environmental impact report and approve the Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch project, routing 200 megawatts of solar and 400 megawatt‑hours of battery storage onto the Barton Ranch under a use permit, special development permit and design review.

Planning staff presented the project as consistent with the county’s climate action goals and SMUD’s 2030 carbon plan, recommending certification despite three identified significant, unavoidable impacts: long‑term effects to scenic views, cumulative oak woodland canopy loss and impacts to tribal cultural resources. "To summarize, the project supports the county’s general plan and SMUD’s 2030 carbon plan by delivering local utility scale solar energy," Planning Principal Kimber Gutierrez told the board during the staff presentation.

The applicant, Desert Renewables/Desiree (represented by William Marisi and Jim Gillum), said the project would deliver a large, grid‑scale block of local renewable power, create construction jobs and produce tax revenue estimated at roughly $67 million over 20 years to local jurisdictions. "Coyote Creek is contracted with SMUD to provide an additional 200 megawatts of solar and 400 megawatt‑hours of battery storage," William Marisi said during the applicant presentation.

Project design and mitigation: staff and the applicant described a set of mitigation measures and conservation commitments meant to reduce net impacts. The project reduces its originally proposed solar footprint and preserves more than 1,150 acres on‑ or off‑site in conservation easements; the applicant also pledged oak canopy mitigation, tree replanting and a seven‑year monitoring plan for new plantings. The plan includes commitments to coordinate construction schedules and finance improvements to the adjacent Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area.

Public testimony: the public hearing drew more than 150 speakers over several hours and sharply divided the room. Supporters — including ranch owners, unions and business groups — said the project preserves the ranch in working agriculture under Williamson Act rules, provides reliable local energy for SMUD, and brings union jobs and revenue. Several union representatives urged approval as a source of high‑paying local construction and electrical work.

Opponents — including tribal representatives, environmental scientists, conservation organizations, and local recreation advocates — warned the project would cause irreparable harm to blue oak woodlands, vernal pools and wildlife corridors. Melissa Tayaba (Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians) and other tribal speakers said the site is part of an ancestral landscape and urged the board to protect cultural resources; scientists and conservation groups testified that mature oak canopy and vernal pool habitat cannot be meaningfully replaced within the project’s lifetime.

CEQA findings and board action: staff prepared a findings of fact and statement of overriding considerations, concluding that while many impacts can be mitigated, the remaining significant impacts were acceptable when weighed against the project’s environmental and social benefits, including contribution to the county’s and SMUD’s renewable energy goals. Vice Chair Rosario Rodriguez moved to adopt staff recommendations and the finding; after deliberation the board voted to approve the project, with the clerk recording the motion and the board passing certification and the permits (motion moved by Vice Chair Rosario Rodriguez; second recorded and recorded vote passed unanimously).

What happens next: project approvals include multiple conditions, mitigation monitoring and reporting requirements and permit conditions that tie financial assurances, oak mitigation, and conservation easement recording to project milestones. The project proponent said panels and racking are removable and a decommissioning fund will be posted to cover restoration obligations when the 35‑year operating term ends.

The county’s decision signals a choice to prioritize a large, locally sited renewable resource while accepting identified, significant cultural and biological impacts under CEQA with findings of overriding considerations. The project will now move to the implementation and permitting steps required by the county conditions and state agencies.

Ending: Supervisors and staff said they expected ongoing dialogue with tribal representatives, state resource agencies and community groups during implementation and monitoring. The county will publish the mitigation and monitoring plan and monitor compliance per the adopted conditions.