Reasons Why City of Elk Grove Should Withdraw it's Application for Expansion South of Elk Grove (Proposed Sphere of Influence - SOI - )

* The 8,000 acre proposed area for urbanization is very important nesting and foraging habitat for a significant number of nesting pairs of Swainson's Hawks, and wintering habitat for large numbers of migratory birds including Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes.

* Elk Grove does not need more area for new development. There are over 8000 undeveloped acres within the City limit suitable for urban development.

* Paving over South County farmland for more urban development and land speculation will sabotage efforts to improve the economic sustainability of our agricultural economy in this county. Loss of 8 thousand acres of farmland envisioned by this urban expansion could reduce remaining South County farmland below critical mass needed to support infrastructure for commercially viable agriculture.

* Approval of an expanded area for urbanization will trigger runaway real estate speculation, increase the cost of the yet to be approved South County Habitat Conservation Plan and acquisition of conservation easements meant to mitigate for development inside the urban area.

* Development approvals outside the existing City limits of Elk Grove will likely further devalue existing Elk Grove properties by creating even more oversupply of residential and commercial development.

* Expansion proposed is not consistent with the regional Blueprint for sound growth, intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts of sprawl development.

* There is no surface water supply for development outside the current urban boundary. Using groundwater would accelerate existing groundwater overdraft and further deplete the Cosumnes River, jeopardizing fish and riparian habitat of the Cosumnes River corridor.

* Wastewater treatment capacity is not available for more development. Tertiary treatment may be required if Sacramento does not contain urban sprawl because of impacts on the Delta.

Friends of the Swainson's Hawk, 5/22/09