Twenty five miles north of Truckee, in the somewhat sleepy town of Sierraville, a recent development scandal spawned a new idea in conservation that will not only promote an eco-friendly destination but will also protect and enhance the Sierra Hot Spring natural resources.
n June of 2006, land developer Norm Brown (NC Brown Development) backed out of his contract with the owners of the Hot Springs, where he planned to transform the Sierra Hot Springs into an ‘exclusive world-class resort,’ with more than 200 rooms and a golf course, surrounded by a gate to make the Hot Springs a private community. But he reneged on the deal amidst strong disapproval from the local and rural community of Sierraville and surrounding environmental alliances.
Soon after Brown backed out of the development deal he issued an email that stated the Hot Springs were ‘unsuitable’ for building. Maybe it’s ‘unsuitable’ for building a luxury resort but according to other sources the land that the Hot Springs sit on provides a plethora of resources suitable for building a development based on the principles of permaculture.
ileen ‘Beenie’ Rose of the High Sierra Permaculture Institute became involved with the Sierra Hot Springs during the NC Brown Development uproar. ‘The town of Sierraville knew what they wanted and didn’t want and they came together because they didn’t believe the development deal with Norm Brown was a good thing,’ says Rose.
he Hot Springs are located in one of the most valuable conservation areas in California says Steve Frisch of the Sierra Business Council. Development on the land could hinder the natural cycle of bird nesting and breeding that has thrived there for many years, he said.
‘The Sierra Hot Springs are situated on some of the most remarkable wetlands in the state and it supports over 200 species of birds,’ adds Frisch. ‘Any substantial development on that land would do great damage to the natural ecosystem.’
While Frisch believes the land may not be suitable for resort style development he supports the idea presented by Rose and the Permaculture Institute and adds that the idea fits within the parameters of the community’s general plan for the Hot Springs. The plan will be to use the hot springs water as not only a heat source for natural building but also to protect it as a public good and trust resource for everyone using it. Rose adds that the goal is to not change the land or develop over it but to incorporate it into the building.
‘We believe in assuming responsibility for maintaining the availability of natural resources for present and future generations,’ says Rose. The plan will operate with systems that include natural building (strawbale, cob and adobe), renewable energy and renewable fuels, sustainable forestry, year-round organic agriculture with greenhouses that could help Sierraville become a more self-reliant and self-sustainable community. Not only would the development act within the boundaries of conservation and preservation but it would offer educational information for anyone interested.
We want people to be aware that this type of development is possible,’ says Rose. ‘We are educators and activists seeking innovative and practical approaches to the pressing environmental and economical crises of our day.’
The plans for development are still in the appraisal stage but Rose points out that the process is a long one that will encourage positive action towards the land that surrounds the community and Hot Springs.
There is so much that can be done with the resources at hand and I’m just really excited to get started on the project,’ says Rose.
To find out more about what is happening with the Sierra Hot Springs plan of action contact the High Sierra Permaculture Institute at highsierrapermaculture.org.
