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Twisted Metal: The diesel truck involved in the accident after the spill. The driver, Michael Anderson of Sacramento, was not injured in the rollover. |
CommentsSpot News Briefs: Nevada County
17 June to 14 July 2010
Published: June 22, 2010
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Railyard Ruling
Nevada County Superior Court Judge Anders Holmer ruled on the Friends of Truckee vs. Town of Truckee case on May 26, denying the group’s petition. The suit was originally filed after the Railyard Master Plan was approved nearly one year ago. Oral arguments were first heard in Truckee court on April 2.
The petitioners (Friends of Truckee, Team Truckee for Smart Growth, Siobhan Smart, and Bryan DeVoe), contended that the Railyard Master Plan’s final environmental impact report did not meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. They also said the plan, which allows for a mixed-use development project on the 75-acre site, was inconsistent with both the town’s general plan and downtown specific plan, and that the restoration of Trout Creek should have been included along with the master plan for CEQA purposes. The group has 60 days to appeal.
Oil Spill Hits Donner
A tanker truck traveling east on Interstate 80 early on May 26 slid on icy roads, rolled, and subsequently ruptured, spilling close to 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel along the road on the west side of Donner Lake. Some of the oil washed over the side of the freeway where it both leached into the soil and flowed into the surrounding watershed.
“Relative to the Gulf disaster, this is minor,” said Truckee Donner Land Trust President Perry Norris. “Most of the spill traveled through land TDLT has acquired or is acquiring. The stench of diesel out of Frog Creek in Billy Mack Canyon was darn near nauseating.”
The Department of Fish and Game responded by laying roughly 350 feet of containment boom and 1,000 feet of absorbent boom into Summit Creek to stem the flow into Donner Lake. Since much of the fuel entered the soil, DFG will implement a soil removal plan as well.
Funding Needed for Restoration Project
Grouse Ridge Lookout, located north of Interstate 80 between Truckee and Nevada City, is being restored as a rental facility by the U.S. Forest Service. The fire lookout, one of 20 originally built in the Tahoe National Forest, was constructed in 1923 but has not been used since the 1970s. Intense summer sun, winter storms, and vandals have taken their toll on the building.
The revamped building will include twin beds, a propane stove and heater, and lighting and would be available from late June through mid-October. Materials for the remodel are estimated to cost $25,000. Presentations on the lookout and the restoration are available. Info: Rich Veal, (530) 272-7109; Chris Hersey (530) 477-2510, grouseridgelookout.com
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