North Shore is the star of YATA this month, and here’s the main takeaway from the answers below: Big change takes time.
First up, everyone’s favorite ski resort on the West Shore. Although Homewood’s master plan was approved a decade ago, developer JMA Ventures has not started in earnest on the $500-million project, mostly due to a string of litigations since the plan’s approval. Chairman Art Chapman says permits for a small residential project are being secured, alongside a lot more “behind-the-scenes” work.
Secondly, for years the North Tahoe Public Utility District has been struggling to meet state water conservation goals, established in 2009. They are proud to announce that the winds (or is that waves?) have changed.
~ Mayumi Elegado, Moonshine Ink
What are the plans for Homewood? The permits have been approved and lawsuits all settled, but nothing has happened. The community is worried that JMA isn’t interested anymore and will at some point just abandon the project.
JMA acquired Homewood Mountain Resort approximately 15 years ago and remains committed to Homewood and the ultimate build-out of the approved ski area master plan. After years of planning, public agency approvals, and litigation, JMA has been taking all of the necessary steps required in order to begin implementing the master plan including design, planning, permitting, and financing.
Although we cannot yet commit to a specific timeframe, please know that a considerable amount of behind-the-scenes work is underway with the public agencies (Placer County and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) in order to move the master plan forward as soon as possible. This includes working on securing permits for a first, smaller-scaled residential project at the Homewood North Base. It is our hope to commence construction on these first residences as early as late summer of this year. Also know that improvements are continually being made to the Homewood ski area including enhancing skier terrain, ticketing operations, dining options, and
ski lift safety.
~ Art Chapman, JMA Ventures Founder and Chairman
How is the North Tahoe Public Utility District doing with the state water mandate, 20% by 2020? In past years, the district was falling short of goals, which puts at risk its eligibility for state grants. What steps are being taken this summer to meet the reduction in water use?
Thanks to the commitment from our customers and community, as well as the NTPUD’s efforts to reduce water loss, we are proud to share that the district has achieved its 20% by 2020 goal!
The State of California’s Water Conservation Act of 2009 required water agencies to reduce water consumption 20% by 2020. The NTPUD believes that California’s water is a critical resource, and it is our mission to be effective environmental stewards through the provision of efficient, safe, and accountable water and sewer service.
Customers and the community made significant efforts to help us meet our 20% by 2020 goal. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to think about their water use each day and adopted our new water conservation measures, especially those related to outdoor water usage and restricted watering days.
Additionally, over the last three years, we have executed numerous waterline replacement and water leak detection and repair projects that were identified in our update to the district’s Urban Water Management Plan as significant steps toward meeting our conservation goal. This plan serves as the official method through which we report on our progress on our 20% by 2020 goal. It also outlines a framework for long-term resource planning to ensure adequate water supplies for existing and future demands.
Details on the NTPUD’s progress toward achieving the state mandate, as well as the update to the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan were presented at a public hearing on May 11 during the regularly scheduled NTPUD Board of Directors meeting. A video recording of the meeting and associated documents are available online at ntpud.org.
Going forward, the district’s stage 2 water conservation measures will remain in effect.
All NTPUD customers are encouraged to continue best water conservation practices, apply for the water conservation rebates we have available, and if needed, pick up free water conservation supplies such as shower heads, hose timers, and more at the district’s main office at 875 National Avenue. Additional information can be found online at ntpud.org/how-conserve-water.
~ Justin Broglio, NTPUD Public Information Officer, jbroglio@ntpud.org
