Alternative Zoning Proposed for Joerger Ranch Property
TRUCKEE
The Mountain Area Preservation met with the developers of Joerger Ranch (PC-3) to offer new alternative zoning, which will be presented to the Truckee Planning Commission on July 29. The new zoning provides an additional 20 acres of open space, protects wetlands, and concentrates development in areas next to existing development. The planning commission will address the project’s final environmental impact report and review the alternative zoning, and make a recommendation to the town council, during its meeting. The Joerger Ranch Specific Plan is located at the four corners of Highway 267/Brockway Road/Soaring Way intersection and encompasses approximately 67 acres of mostly undeveloped land. ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Placer County LAFCO Awards Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis
PLACER COUNTY
The Local Agency Formation Commission in June selected Citygate Associates, Inc. to perform the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA) for the Town of Olympic Valley. The board voted 6 to 0 to approve the bid of $49,950. The staff recommended the Folsom-based consultancy firm for an amount not to exceed $51,750, which includes funding for one alternative analysis.
The fiscal analysis, which will show if a new town is financially viable, is a cornerstone of the incorporation process. Concurrently, Placer County and Incorporate Olympic Valley will undertake a revenue neutrality agreement, which is designed to ensure that Placer County is not financially damaged by the proposed incorporation. The CFA and revenue neutrality agreement are expected to take three to four months. Once complete, there will be a public review and comment process, followed by LAFCO’s decision to approve the application. If LAFCO approves the application, the proposed incorporation will go to Olympic Valley voters for their final decision.
Truckee Tahoe Airport Seeks Public Input on Master Plan
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Tahoe Airport District is seeking public input on the draft 2014 Master Plan. The purpose of the document is to create a blueprint for facility and infrastructure planning for the next 10 to 15 years. The ultimate goal of the updated plan is to recommend development options and policies that best fit the needs of the airport and community while protecting those living nearby. The four primary focus areas of the Master Plan are: maintaining a high quality aviation facility, exploring options to enhance annoyance mitigation programs, managing and planning for growth of aviation facilities and resources, and enhancing community-related benefits and functions.
The public comment period runs through July 14. To view the draft plan, go to ttadmasterplan.org. Info: Kevin Smith, general manager, Truckee Tahoe Airport District, (530) 386-4138
Forest Land Closes Near Kings Beach For Tree Thinning
KINGS BEACH
The U.S. Forest Service announced in mid-June that approximately 340 acres of National Forest System land near Kings Beach is closed to ensure public safety while tree thinning occurs for a fuel reduction and forest health project 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 15. The site is located on the east side of Brockway Summit north of Speckled Avenue. The forest thinning is part of the Carnelian Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Healthy Forest Restoration Project, which will treat approximately 3,330 acres on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe to reduce the risk of severe wildfire, improve forest health, and provide defensible space to neighboring communities. Info: fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/CarnelianProject
California State Parks Manages Conservancy Properties
NORTH SHORE
On July 1, California State Parks assumed the maintenance and operations of California Tahoe Conservancy-owned portions of North Tahoe Beach, Moon Dunes Beach, Kings Beach Plaza, Coon Street Corner, Secline Beach, Sandy Beach, Sun and Sand Beach Easement, and Steamers Beach. These properties will continue to offer the same amenities, and hours of operations will not be impacted. Previously, the North Tahoe Public Utility District operated the sites on the conservancy’s behalf. This transition is part of an agreement announced in March by the California Natural Resources Agency, California State Parks, and the California Tahoe Conservancy to exchange and consolidate state-owned parkland in the Tahoe Basin. In addition, California State Parks assumed management and operations of the Kings Beach State Recreation Area in May. Info: State Parks, (530) 583-3075
NLTRA Approves Funding for Lake Forest Boat Ramp Rehab
TAHOE CITY
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association Board of Directors in June approved a supplemental TOT (transit occupancy tax) allocation to ensure the construction of the Lake Forest Boat Ramp rehabilitation project. The new ramp project, under direction of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, will continue to provide three launching lanes that will be widened to meet current safety standards. This year-round ramp attracts 97,200 annual visitors, of which 81 percent are from out of the area.
The funding request will go to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for final approval at its July 22 meeting in North Lake Tahoe. Securing all the funding at this time will enable the project to be completed this year, with no ramp closure necessary during the 2015 boating season.
Tahoe National Forest Approves American Fire Restoration Plan
FOREST HILL
Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Tom Quinn in June approved a plan for restoration of forest lands burned by last year’s American Fire. The Big Hope Fire Salvage and Restoration Project calls for tree planting on approximately 7,300 acres, salvage harvesting of approximately 3,440 acres, and hazard tree reduction on approximately 125 miles of roadways and trails. The project also protects important wildlife habitats and unique post-fire ecosystem conditions.
The American Fire started in August 2013 and burned more than 27,000 acres, including more than 22,000 acres on the Tahoe National Forest. In some areas, the fire burned so hot that entire trees died and organic matter on the forest floor was turned to ash. To aid in reforestation of these areas, the Forest Service will plant trees, speeding up regrowth and preventing possible soil erosion.
Take the Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal Survey
PLACER COUNTY
Placer County owns and operates the Materials Recovery Facility located on Cabin Creek Road between Truckee and Squaw Valley. In Placer County, most garbage is taken there and recyclables are separated from the garbage and kept out of the landfill. Over the last several years the county has received periodic inquiries about expanding the solid waste services. In response, the county would like feedback on how it can improve its services and which ones are most important. Placer would also like input on potential new services and how to best address the costs to provide new services. Take the survey at: surveymonkey.com/s/TahoeServices2014
Water Board Closes Pollution Case at Former Gas Station
SUSANVILLE
After more than a decade of enforcement actions at the site of a former gas station, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board in June issued a case closure letter to the owners of the once heavily polluted property in Susanville. Gasoline and heating oil from underground storage tanks and pipelines at the former Tosco (Unocal) gas station were found floating on the water table in 1996. By 2002, the groundwater contamination reached to Cornell Street, about 650 feet away, and threatened the Susan River. The water board issued a cleanup and abatement order to the Tosco Corporation that same year, requiring aggressive actions to clean up soil and groundwater contamination.
Once additional cleanup actions were conducted, groundwater monitoring showed hydrocarbons concentrations decreasing with time. While the Susan River is less than 1,000 feet away from the site, recent monitoring shows the river is not threatened by the low levels of hydrocarbons in the soil and groundwater at the site. The water board’s evaluation of data collected from the property has determined that historical releases of petroleum products no longer pose a threat to human health or the beneficial use of groundwater in the area. The fate of the property, now a vacant lot, rests with the current owner, the Chevron Corporation.
