By ELLIE WALLER | Tahoe Vista
Did you know Placer County cut a deal in December 2013 with State Parks and the California Tahoe Conservancy to utilize 40 percent of the Kings Beach State Recreation Area parking for more than two years to house and stage construction equipment for the Kings Beach Core Improvement Plan project? Most of us didn’t either. Now that we know, we have some questions.
How much was State Parks paid for the utilization of the parking area? What is State Parks doing with that money — building the community center ADA facilities? If not, why not?
Who’s considering the impacts to the loss of revenue this summer/fall to the North Tahoe Public Utility District for maintenance due to the parking area being downsized? Who’s considering the impacts of this deal on other areas nearby Kings Beach on the North Shore?
That said, I strongly urge State Parks to provide additional staff to police Moon Dunes Beach and Speed Boat Beach due to the lack of parking at KBSRA, as there will certainly be increased usage that will exacerbate the weekend crowds that visit those locations and are already parking along residential streets.
Why wasn’t the public made aware? It makes us wonder if they really wanted us involved. Where is the local jurisdiction transparency on this contentious issue? Why such secrecy?
The KBSRA parking is essential for public and local access to the beach, the lake, and parking for community center operations.
