Squaw Valley MAC Votes Against Development Proposal
OLYMPIC VALLEY
At a packed meeting in mid-May, the Squaw Valley Municipal Advisory Committee passed a motion to recommend that Placer County deny the proposed expansion in Olympic Valley “as submitted.” The role of the MAC is advisory; the decision is ultimately up to Placer County. The MAC followed up its vote with another motion declaring that it would “seriously consider” a proposal at around 50 percent of the current size if the county re-conducted its environmental analysis. The Placer County Planning Commission is slated to take up the proposed development sometime in June. The development calls for an indoor waterpark, around 1,500 beds, and 21 new housing units at the mouth of Shirley Canyon, among other components. Info: placer.ca.gov
Tahoe National Forest’s Sardine Fire Lookout Available to Rent
SIERRAVILLE
The recently restored Sardine Lookout in the Sierraville Ranger District is now available for free public use. The limit is two nights per reservation and one reservation per household during the 2016 season. It is accessible on a temporary basis to provide a recreational experience and to help the Forest Service control vandalism. Sardine Lookout is the second lookout open for overnight occupancy in the Sierraville Ranger District. The Calpine Lookout is also available on a fee basis; reservations can be made through recreation.gov. Info: (530) 994-3401
West Shore Association’s Passport Program in Effect
WEST SHORE
As part of its Memorial Day Weekend Opening Day at the Lake, the West Shore Association began its Passport Program with a chance to win prizes throughout the summer. Pick up your passport at the North Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center in Tahoe City and visit West Shore businesses, events, and recreation destinations to obtain 10 stamps, then submit the passport for your chance to win. Info: North Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center, (530) 581-6900
SB 269 Passes to Protect Small Businesses and the Disabled
CALIFORNIA
Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) bipartisan measure to protect California’s small businesses and the disabled community was approved by Gov. Jerry Brown on May 10. The bill seeks to incentivize businesses to proactively take steps to become accessible by providing them 120 days — without being subject to statutory penalties or litigation costs — after a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report to resolve any violations identified. Info: tinyurl.com/hfb25f2
Martis Valley West Meeting Stirs Controversy
PLACER COUNTY
The June 9 public hearing regarding the Martis Valley West project happened as we went to press, but events leading up to the meeting spurred community concern. Via op-eds, letters, and social media posts, citizens voiced concern in several areas. One point was that the meeting was scheduled on a high school graduation day. Another was that Placer County did not properly inform the community of the meeting, citing a county newsletter that made no mention of the meeting. Additionally, the Final Environmental Impact Report was released on May 3, which caused frustration among some members of the public that this was not enough time to review the document. Info: placer.co.gov
Sign-ups open for North Tahoe Bike Force Summer Events
NORTH TAHOE
Now in its seventh year of operation, the NTBF is taking sign-ups for its summer schedule. Open to riders ages 11 and older, the summer program includes a combination of weekly club rides, camps, and specialty events including the three-day Downieville Epic Camp and the Woopdeedoo Enduro at Tahoe XC in Tahoe City. Info: ntbikeforce.com
Free Download Brings Washoe Library Collection to Amazon.com
RENO
If you’re looking for a book on Amazon, a new free download called Koios will let you know if that item is available through the Washoe County Library System, so you can borrow instead of buy. Usually, a library’s collection is only searchable through the library’s website, but Koios users can see availability while on Amazon. Koios is available for 20 libraries nationwide. Info: koios.co/download
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Signs Historic Agreement with Health District
WASHOE COUNTY
Leaders of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Washoe County Health District officials signed a historic agreement on June 1 that provides use of tribal facilities to dispense life-saving medications during public health emergencies. The agreement will increase infrastructure and resource sharing for the distribution of prophylaxis medications in a public health emergency. Info: Andrea Johnson-Harper, (775) 842-2902
California Tahoe Conservancy Announces New Online Firewood Permit
TAHOE BASIN
The California Tahoe Conservancy announced on June 1 that free firewood gathering permits and firewood locations are now available online. The Conservancy’s Community Firewood Program offers free firewood permits and allows permittees to collect up to two cords of pre-cut firewood for personal use, limit one permit per household per calendar year. Permits will also continue to be issued at the Conservancy’s office located at 1061 Third St., South Lake Tahoe. Info: tahoe.ca.gov
Truckee Donner PUD Modifies Irrigation Restrictions
TRUCKEE
At the June 1 board meeting, the Truckee Donner PUD took action to rescind mandatory restrictions on outdoor irrigation with potable water effective immediately. This change was in response to new California emergency drought regulations that allow local water agencies to self-certify adequacy of water supply and to base restrictions on projected water supply shortages. Truckee Donner PUD has not experienced a water supply shortage during the drought and no longer needs mandatory restrictions to comply with state law. The board requested that customers strive for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in water use. Info: tdpud.org
Forest Service to Resume Work on Upper Truckee River
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will resume work on the Upper Truckee River Reach 5 Restoration Project on June 13 in collaboration with the California Tahoe Conservancy. This will be the final year of the four-year construction project to replace the existing stream channel. The new channel will be more stable and connected to the adjacent floodplain, which will provide better aquatic habitat, support a healthier meadow ecosystem, and reduce the amount of fine sediment that reaches Lake Tahoe. The project area will be closed to pedestrians from June 27 to Oct. 14. Info: tinyurl.com/z2a6j66
New Partnership Uses Technology to Improve Government
STATELINE
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Code for America Brigade/Hack Tahoe are partnering to enhance the effectiveness of government through the use of technology. This new partnership brings community members together through Code for America, a nonprofit organization on a mission to make government services simple, effective, and easy to use. Local Code for America chapters are called brigades and are organized by local volunteers. Brigades support local governments by working with them on events and civic technology projects. Info: hack.tahoe.coop
Town Seeks Comment on Possible Gate at Donner Lake Boat Launch
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee is proposing the placement of a gate at the Donner Lake Public Boat Launch. This would limit access to Donner Lake to times when the gate is staffed. No decisions have been made, and the town is asking for public comment as well as participation in a public workshop on June 16 at
6 p.m. at the town hall in Truckee. Info: truckeeboatinspections.com
New Brand Identity Revealed
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new Truckee Brand Identity, logo, and tagline in early May as a result of its Place-Based Marketing Initiative: “Base Camp for a Big Life.” The Truckee Brand Identity is the result of six months of research, surveys, and community collaboration by Truckee Tomorrow, a collaborative economic development initiative led by the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce. A new website is scheduled to launch summer 2016. The logo and tagline are available to anyone to promote community unity, engagement, visitation, and business development with a completed logo use request form and agreement. Info: truckeechamber.com
