NEWS TIMELINE
In 2010:
June 15:
Eco:Logic, DSPUD's engineering consultants, have released their upgrade and expansion recommendations. Their $20.2 million proposal can be found here: (warning, the pdf is 5MBytes) dspud_facility_plan_final_may_2010 with an appendix here: Appendixes D-F.
Much of the DSPUD facility plan's proposal is due to expansion. An $8.3M "Ford" alternative to Eco:Logic's $20.2M "Ferrari" proposal is a "Just Fix It" plan (i.e., a Ford) that looks at how the current plant can be fixed without expansion. The $8.3M "Just Fix It" plan is here: Comments on the DSPUD Facility Plan.
Assuming a 20 year, 5% interest loan, each homeowner's rates will increase about $890/year to pay for the $20.2M project. A loan for the $8.3M "Just Fix It" plan would increase rates about $365/year. The actual rate increase will depend upon final cost estimates, potential grants, and interest rates.
Jan 6:
Placer County planning reports that there still has been no contact with Royal Gorge.
Jan 5:
County records show that Kirk Syme's "Woodstock Bowers LLC" has purchased Ice Lakes Lodge and Royal Gorge's Summit Station from Royal Gorge LLC. The transaction was recorded on December 23rd, 2009. Mr.Syme, in an email, says that Royal Gorge LLC (Foster and Syme together) still own the land slated for development, Rainbow Lodge and the nordic ski operation. He reports: "business as usual at Ice Lakes Lodge and Summit Station."
In 2009:
Dec 11:
The Sierra Lakes Water District reports that there has been no progress in talks with Royal Gorge with respect to acquiring rights to the lake bottom. In addition, the District's State water rights are still not resolved, with it likely that the State will reduce the amount of water allocated to the District from the 1962 level of 1,177 acre-feet per year (AFY) to between 150 AFY (the current actual usage) and 350 AFY (the projected usage including unbuilt lots and future higher occupancy, but no further development).
Dec 9:
Royal Gorge has still had no contact with Placer County Planning.
Nov 11:
Placer County's Planning Department reports that there has been no contact with Royal Gorge.
Oct 26:
Placer County's Planning Department again reports that there has been no contact with Royal Gorge.
Sept 18:
Placer County's Planning Department reports that there has been no contact with Royal Gorge.
Aug 27:
Fire in Serene Lakes! Fortunately, local residents Noel Charonnat, Jerry Dahlen and Andrew Dahlen beat back a forest fire that broke out on Royal Gorge property behind Hillside. They deserve everyone's thanks for preventing what could have been a disaster. Read more here and see pictures of the fire here.
Aug 8:
A new organization has been formed to save Van Norden Meadow. Tom Applebaum of Soda Springs announced the formation of "Save Van Norden Meadow" (www.SVNM.org) at the DSAA annual meeting. SVNM looks forward to working with Royal Gorge, Sugar Bowl and the Truckee Donner Land Trust to open up the meadow to public access.
Aug 4:
Mike Livak is leaving Royal Gorge to return to Squaw, where he will become their Senior VP and General Manager. Reports are that Nadine Evans, assistant to Livak, and Kirk Syme will take over Mike's duties. Read more:
July 22:
Placer County Planning reports that they have not heard anything from Royal Gorge. They also say they have not heard anything more about Valen Brost's planned Majesty Suites project across from Sugar Bowl's gondolas on Hwy 40.
July 20:
Access to forest service lands across Royal Gorge property continues to be a problem, with reports that people have been told to leave. This is particularly a problem for accessing Forest Service lands on Palisades Peak to the west of the lakes, as it is almost impossible to get to Palisades Peak without crossing Royal Gorge lands. Anyone having problems accessing Forest Service lands should contact district ranger Joanne Roubique at 530-587-3558, or jroubique@fs.fed.us
July 16:
The water district (SLCWD) reports that eminent domain to acquire the lakes is still proceeding, but at the same time they are negotiating with Royal Gorge to obtain lake access and other rights needed to properly manage the water supply. The district is also applying to the state water board to modify their permit to match how they actually operate by including direct diversion rights, not just storage. The district, however, has been advised that they will likely only receive rights to how much water they currently need, and will not be able get rights to water for speculative future development. Royal Gorge's plans fall into that category as they have not filed any plans with the County.
July 14:
The DSPUD sewage treatment plant needs fixes to meet their new permit requirements and is waiting for Eco:Logic (their engineering consultants) to present their cost estimates for various upgrade options. SLCWD and their engineering consultant will be reviewing and advising DSPUD on what can be done. For more read www.moonshineink.com/articles.php/0/1311
June 10:
Royal Gorge has closed their lands, citing liability concerns, but State laws have been on the books since 1963 that would allow them to open their lands for recreational access during the summer without the fear of liability. A summary of the pertinent laws can be found here: http://www.portersimon.com/writ/writ-01-2008.pdf
June 8:
Crystal Jacobsen of Placer County Planning says they have not heard anything from Royal Gorge for ten months. In August it will be a year.
May 29:
Here's an important reminder about bears, not the Wall Street kind that are driving developers nuts, but the kind that live around Serene Lakes: It is time to bear proof your cabin and even your car!
May 21:
53 Sierra organizations pledge to adapt to climate change. Read the announcement on YubaNet.
May 15:
The Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) is working to purchase 1,320 acres along Cold Stream near Independence Lake north of Truckee. Read about the property and how you can help complete its purchase in this Sierra Sun article: "A hike worth saving: The other Cold Stream." What a dream to have a conservation outcome like this for Donner Summit!
May 14:
Eight organizations who have been monitoring the Royal Gorge development plans have released their joint vision for the Donner Summit area: "An Economic and Conservation Vision for Donner Summit."
May 8:
The SLCWD board, in their monthly meeting, discussed potential rate hikes. One is aimed at paying for the current sewer and water main upgrades, and a future rate hike may be required to help pay for fixes to the DSPUD treatment plant. It is unclear whether the upgrades will provide enough capacity for unbuilt lots or future development without spending much more than is strictly necessary. The next meeting of the Joint Facilities Committee that is looking into the upgrade options will be held this summer. One homeowner's perspective on how the upgrade costs should be handled is on the Save Donner Summit Forum
May 7:
The Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT), in cooperation with other trail groups, needs your help to maintain the area's recreational trails. The Moonshine Inc. article, "Trail Building Your Sweat Equity," describes what you can do to help. Let's hope that Donner Summit, Royal Gorge and Serene Lakes can become part of this trail system!
May 6:
Planning staff reports that Royal Gorge LLC has not contacted the Placer County Planning department for over 9 months.
May 6:
Jason Rainey, executive director of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), thanks those who helped to preserve the water quality of the South Yuba River in this YubaNet article.
May 5:
Dr. Bob Derlet of UC Davis is proposing the need for more National Parks in the Sierra as a means of helping to protect California's water quality. He is presenting a talk on the subject on June 16th at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village. Details can be found in this YubaNet article.
April 24:
Royal Gorge closes its lands to summer hiking. The trespassing notice is here: http://royalgorge.com/Resort.asp.
April 24:
The State Water Quality Control Board issues DSPUD's new discharge permit without any allowance for dilution. The district has 5 years to meet the more stringent ammonia and dichlorobromomethane (a byproduct of chlorine based disinfection) discharge limits.
April 22:
The Sacramento Bee pushes for the passage of this year's fire safety bill by assembly Dave Jones. Read the review of AB666 here: www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/1798884.html
April 10:
The State Water Quality Control Board Staff has recommended against giving DSPUD dilution credits. If the Board adopts the staff recommendations in its hearing on April 24th, then DSPUD will not be able to discharge effluent into the South Yuba River at a relaxed quality level. DSPUD had argued that the river would dilute the effluent enough to satisfy Federal and State pollution levels. Some upgrades to the plant will be required to meet the requirements. It is unclear whether the upgrades can be relatively inexpensive "fixes", or would require expensive replacement of equipment. The State Water quality Control website has the staff recommendations.
April 10:
SLCWD's consultant, Waterworks, reported at the SLCWD board meeting that there is potential to fix the DSPUD treatment plant without requiring expensive upgrades to the plant.
April 10:
The DSPUD and SLCWD water and sewer districts held a joint meeting to explore how to upgrade the sewage treatment plant to meet the new discharge quality levels in their pending permit. Eco:Logic, DSPUD's consultant was asked to look to see if inexpensive fixes can be made to the existing plant (without expanding its capacity) to meet the new requirements, and then to look at the cost to expand the capacity of the plant, which has been projected to be ten to twenty million dollars.
April 1:
Crystal Jacobsen of Placer County Planning says they still have not heard anything from Royal Gorge- a silence of over eight months.
March 22:
The Serene Lakes "Community" Forum on the SLPOA website is now restricted to "members only" access and is no longer available as a public source of discussion, information and commentary. People are encouraged to use the forum on www.savedonnersummit.org to discuss issues relating to Donner Summit. For news about Royal Gorge plans, continue to visit SaveSereneLakes.org, SaveDonnerSummit.org, and SaveOurSummit.org. For information about environmental groups' efforts to protect Donner Summit see SierraWatch.org and SYRCL.org.
March 17:
The State Water Quality Control Board has received many comments on DSPUD's proposed discharge permit. Most comments asked the board to not approve any dilution credits until a meter has been installed to measure the flow of the South Yuba River at the discharge location. Comments also asked the board to have DSPUD start land spraying earlier when it is possible. The water board has the comments posted here: DSPUD Comments
March 25:
Nevada County reports that the Shatterhand Project to rebuild the Soda Springs Store is on hold as incomplete. The owner's representative has told the county that they are interested in making some revisions to the project.
March 14:
Northstar Mountain Properties LLC has agreed to a $2.75M fine stemming from water quality violations during the construction of the Northstar Resort Community. See this YubaNet.com article for details. Similar pollution during resort construction might be of concern to Serene Lakes if Royal Gorge is allowed to subdivide their lands.
March 13:
The SLCWD Board meeting featured a talk by Jason Rainey of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) on their efforts to preserve the South Yuba, discussing their position on the tentative permit for DSPUD to continue to discharge treated effluent into the South Yuba. The board also reported that they are preparing their petition to the State Water Rights Control Board to add "direct diversion" to their permit so they can legally draw water from the lakes during the spring snow melt season. Acquiring the lakes using eminent domain is on hold waiting appraisals and the Lake Level Management Resolution is still on hold waiting legal review.
March 13:
Moonshine Ink runs an article lamenting all of the restaurants closing in the Truckee area. Not good news for resort developers like Royal Gorge.
March 12:
Crystal Jacobsen of Placer County Planning says they still have not heard anything from Royal Gorge- a silence of over seven months. She did mention that Valen Brost has met with the County to discuss his "Majesty Suites" project across from the Sugar Bowl Gondola, but has not submitted anything yet.
March 9:
Assemblyman Dave Jones reintroduces last year's fire safety bill as AB666. Mr. Jones office appreciated your letter writing efforts last year which helped get the bill to the Governor's desk. Their office will let us know if similar letters will be needed this year.
February 25:
The president's message in the SLPOA newsletter indicates that he has been meeting and negotiating with Royal Gorge LLC in an apparent attempt to keep Royal Gorge from going bankrupt or selling cheaply. His message can be found here: slpoa-pres-message-2-09.pdf. There were many expressions of concern on the SLPOA forum about the inappropriateness of negotiations with the developer at this time, and questioning SLPOA's role in saving Royal Gorge from bankruptcy. All of the forum entries have disappeared.
February 21:
Rumors have been flying around that Royal Gorge may be selling out to Sugar Bowl or others. See this YubaNet.com editorial for one writer's opinion.
February 19:
Crystal Jacobsen of Placer County planning reports that they have not heard anything from Royal Gorge- a total silence of over six months. Ms. Jacobson also clarified that the County will require a second egress for 50 or more units, a number specified by the fire department. She said that the limit could even be lower depending upon circumstances, citing examples where a second egress was required for 20 and 25 unit subdivisions.
February 15:
DSAA and Sierra Business Council published the results from their Community Prosperity Summit (Charrette) held in November. The results reflect the recent DSAA survey that emphasized the community's priority of retaining the area's historic and rural atmosphere. The results encourage developing new activities (bike events, concerts, etc.) and improving infrastructure (roads, trails, train, appearance, etc) to bring more year-round visitors. The results, which can be found on the DSAA webpage, summarize the planning charrette's suggestions.
February 13:
The SLCWD water board meeting was extremely lively. While not on the agenda, a discussion about the district's proposed Lake Level Management resolution was precipitated by a letter (LeBel_lot_moratorium_letter) asserting that the resolution would prevent lot owners from building on their property. The letter is full of inaccuracies which are described in: LeBel_letter_analysis. Arguments followed, resulting in many unseemly exchanges. The arguments digressed into whose fault it is that the district's water permit is in limbo, which was the next subject discussed at the meeting. The problem with the permit, written 40 years ago as a storage permit, is that it specifies that water can only be stored in, and used from, the lake. Actually the district both stores water in the lake and "directly diverts" water from Serena Creek when water is flowing into the lake. Because of the way the permit was written, the district may be illegally diverting water when the water is flowing "through the lakes" as it does in the spring. The district is working to correct the permit, both through the state water board and through local elected officials, but it is unclear (except for costing a lot of money) what will happen. It appears that the City of Santa Cruz has the same permit problems relating to its use of Loch Lomond. It was also reported that the district's efforts to obtain the lake bottom through eminent domain are on hold due to appraisal issues. Finally, the district hired Waterworks Engineers to review DSPUD's plans to upgrade the sewage treatment plant.
February 10:
DSPUD, the area's sewage district, held a meeting at Sugar Bowl to review the tentative sewage discharge permit released by the state. Representatives from DSPUD, their engineering consultants (Eco:Logic) and the State water quality control board spoke. The proposed permit keeps the plant at the same capacity (no new hookups beyond what are currently available), but lowers the ammonia discharge limit down from 5 mg/L to 2.1 mg/L. Depending upon whether dilution in the South Yuba River is allowed or not, the nitrate discharge limit will either be relaxed to 18 mg/L or remain the same at 10 mg/L. Allowing relaxed standards based upon dilution was a controversial topic, as it may raise the pollution level in the river and increase the likelihood of more algae blooms. Eco:Logic described how the treatment plant might be upgraded to meet the new limits. Eco:Logic expects the upgrade cost to be extremely high (more than $10M), but conceded that more detailed work examining other options may show the cost to be much lower. For more details see: DSPUD_permit_review. The deadline for filing comments with the state is March 6th. See Notice of Public Hearing for details.
January 8:
DSPUD's general manager announced that the February 10th DSPUD board meeting will feature a discussion of its new wastewater discharge permit application which is being considered by California's water quality control board. The new application is asking that some of the maximum contamination levels in the discharge be relaxed because the effluent is diluted by the South Yuba River, a request that may not be granted because the river is virtually dry in fall and early winter.
January 8:
The SLCWD water board meeting presented a new version of the "Lake Management" resolution for consideration. The resolution states that the lake level should not be allowed to fall more than 3 feet below the dam's crest. The board also reported that the district's water permit was incorrectly issued 44 years ago to allow for storage of water and use from storage, but not for the direct pumping of water from Serene Lakes while water is flowing. It appears the district will need to petition for a change in its permit to allow for "direct diversion." The petition process may be expensive and open the permit up for comment and challenges by other water districts.
January 7:
A Sierra Sun article discusses DSPUD's $49,000 fine: Fine for Donner Summit utility discharge
December 24-30:
DSPUD's is asking for a hearing to respond to the water quality control board's $49,000 fine regarding the June algae growth in the South Yuba River and several nitrate discharge violations. DSPUD's response can be found here: aclcresponse.pdf. SYRCL's comments regarding the fine can be found here: SYRCL_Comments_on_DSPUD_ACL.pdf. Another comment can be found here: comments_gray12-29-2008.pdf.
In 2008:
December 17:
A Sierra Sun article, Donner Summit District Considering Eminent Domain, reports on SLCWD's plans to acquire the lake bottom and dam parcels from Royal Gorge LLC. The water district is waiting for an appraisal of the lake bottom parcel as the first step in an eminent domain process. Apparently it is difficult to appraise land that is under water, has no tax value and cannot be developed or used. See also: Letter to SLCWD (ten reasons for eminent domain)
December 16:
Placer County Planning has still not heard anything from the Royal Gorge developers, making it 5 months of silence. In reference to the email claiming the developers may "quarter" their parcels, Crystal Jacobsen of the planning department, said "quartering" rather than subdividing, is much simpler, has fewer rules, and can be easily done as long as the quartering does not violate the lands' zoning. She also mentioned that the developers have not asked her about quartering their lands.
December 8:
An email is circulating, supposedly from a friend of one of the Royal Gorge developers, which claims that the developers are ready to abandon their original plans. The email threatens that if the developers do not get to build 600-700 units, then they will close the cross country ski operation, "quarter" their parcels into twenty 160 acre "ranchettes," fence the land, and sell the ranchettes. For more information see www.savedonnersummit.org and www.savethesummit.com/db3/00232/savethesummit.com/_download/eartotheground.html
December 2:
SLCWD is considering acquiring the lake bottom through eminent domain. Here are 10 good reasons to do so: Letter to SLCWD
November 28:
The state water quality control board has fined DSPUD $49,000 for the algae growth in the South Yuba last spring and for ongoing nitrate limit violations. The fine and violation notices are here: r5-2008-0626_cov.pdf and r5-2008-0626_enf.pdf. Any DSPUD plant expansion is likely to be on hold until the nitrate problem is fixed.
November 13:
Placer County's lead planner for the Donner Summit area, Crystal Jacobsen, says that it has now been four months without any word from Royal Gorge.
November 13:
Donner Summit PUD customers (not Serene Lakes) were on boiled water orders from October 31st to November 13th due to a breakdown in their water purification system. DSPUD serves the Soda Springs and Sugar Bowl area. The notices are here: www.dspud.com/assets/news/boilnotice.pdf and www.dspud.com/assets/news/boillift.pdf
November 5:
Jennifer Montgomery easily defeats pro-development incumbent Bruce Kranz for Placer County Supervisor. Read the story about supervisor-elect Montgomery victory here: www.sierrasun.com/article/20081104/NEWS/811049973/1066
November 5:
Congratulations to incumbents Wade Freedle and Martin Bern for being re-elected to the Sierra Lakes County Water District board.
October 31:
Royal Gorge announces reduced hours of operation and adds that their development plans are on hold while they try to sort out how to get water, sewage and a second egress. Read the story here: www.sierrasun.com/article/20081031/NEWS/810319965/1066
October 24:
The Sierra Sun published SLCWD candidate responses to a series of questions. The responses can be read here: SLCWD Candidate Q&A
October 21:
The Sacramento Bee has endorsed Serene Lakes' Jennifer Montgomery over Bruce Kranz for the Placer County Fifth Supervisorial District seat. The endorsement cites Kranz's pro-development views that contrast with Montgomery's local property rights views. The endorsement can be read here:
www.sacbee.com/324/story/1329630.html
October 9:
Crystal Jacobson, Placer County lead planner, reports that Royal Gorge has still been silent,with no contact between Royal Gorge and the planning department for three months.
October 7:
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) sent a letter to the regional water quality control board with their comments concerning the algae growth "notice of violation" that DSPUD received last July. Their comments document a long list of violations and ask that any new permit or plant expansion permit take them into consideration. The SYRCL comments are here: DSPUD_SYRCL_Comments_9-30-08.pdf
October 1:
Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB2447, the Fire Safety Bill by Dave Jones of Sacramento, citing excessive responsibility being placed on Cal Fire, despite the bill's language that minimized Cal Fire's involvement. The bill would have placed extra fire safety conditions, including a second access road, on new developments in high fire hazard areas. The veto message is here: AB2447_Veto
September 16:
Crystal Jacobson, lead planner for Placer County, reports that Royal Gorge has been silent for the past two months, has not contacted her office, nor sent them anything.
September 12:
The SLCWD board voted to approve a contract with an eminent domain lawyer to handle the lake bottom purchase. Mike Livak of Royal Gorge strongly objected to the district's eminent domain procedure, as he claims the lake bottom is a "valuable" asset for Royal Gorge.
September 12:
The SLCWD board reported on a State Water Board inspection conducted on September 2nd regarding the complaint filed last May by a lakeside homeowner (A copy of the complaint is here: SWRCB_Complaint_May08) The inspection found no merit in the complaint, but concerns were raised by the State representatives that the district's water permit only allows storing water, and does not allow "direct diversion" which would preclude the district's current practice of drawing water during spring or summer runoff. This concern may adversely effect the district's permit extension application, and may require the district to expend funds on additional water rights.
September 12:
The SLCWD board presented a fire protection plan for the district which emphasizes that "thinning and limbing" is needed throughout the area, with suggestions to thin around Soda Springs road to make it safer (to prevent its closure by fire), to ask property owners to thin their lots, and to ask Royal Gorge and the USFS to "thin and limb" defensible space zones in the surrounding forests to act as fire breaks. It was also suggested that the whole forest east of the lakes needs immediate "thin and limb" work in order to protect the watershed. Mike Livak of Royal Gorge did not comment at the meeting, but he has previously offered the unsatisfactory explanation that they are waiting for the County to approve their plans before thinning, a stance that unnecessarily leaves the whole area, including their own lands, more exposed to catastrophic wildfires for the foreseeable future.
September 9:
CDM, Royal Gorge's water consultants, monitored the spring runoff over the dam this year. The study concludes that a little more than 3,500 AF of water spilled over the dam from January through July. Their report is available as: CDM Final Monitoring Report July 2008. The water district has questioned the calibration of the CDM data which shows the water level as being 2" above the dam level during January February and March, whereas their measurements during the same period showed the water level to be around a half inch above the dam. Royal Gorge refused to make the raw data available for analysis.
September 4:
DSPUD had Eco-Logic, their engineering consultants, send a response to the Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding the algae complaint last June. Their response can be read here: Donner Summit NOV Report. Rather than examine how the algae bloom might have occurred, the district regarded the algae bloom as an extraordinary unexplained occurrence and the South Yuba will be monitored to see if it happens again. Also, rather than examining ways to reduce the nitrate, ammonia and phosphate levels in the discharge to meet federal requirements (which may prevent new algae blooms), the district suggests that dilution in the South Yuba River is adequate to meet applicable health standards. The algae in their clarification tanks were not addressed.
September 3:
The fire safety bill AB2447 by Assembly member Dave Jones (Sacramento) was finally passed by the California Legislature and sent to the Governor's desk for signature. This legislation requires that developers' plans for subdivisions must meet fire safety criteria before they can be approved. Please write letters to Governor Schwarzenegger requesting that he sign the bill into law. See AB2447 Letter Request for details. Assemblyman Jones wants to thank everyone who contacted Senators and Assembly Members to voice their support for AB2447 and wants to thank you in advance for writing to the Governor.
September 3:
Candidate statements for the SLCWD board of directors election in November are now available at www.savedonnersummit.org/SLCWD-election.htm
August 31:
The Serene Lakes/Donner Summit Conservation Association (SLDSCA) hosted an excellent presentation by USGS hydrologist Chris Farrar on groundwater hydrology in the Donner Summit area. The presentation notes will be available soon on www.SLDSCA.org
August 31:
Bob Belden of Truckee Fire, and Kevin Whitlock, a professional Forester, spoke at the SLPOA annual meeting, both emphasizing the importance of making homes, lots and the surrounding forests fire safe. Mr. Belden mentioned that seemingly innocent things, such as a pile of pine needles on your deck or steps, or storing combustible materials under them, are enough to burn down an otherwise fire safe home. Mr. Whitlock spoke of the importance of maintaining the forests around Serene Lakes, suggesting that concerned homeowners should contact Royal Gorge and the Forest Service to request that they properly maintain their forest property. He also mentioned that Oregon and Washington have co-generation power plants and wood pellet manufacturing operations that pay for the forest maintenance in those states and California should follow their lead.
August 23:
The DSAA annual meeting began with a seminar led by Truckee Fire's Bob Belden. Mr. Belden discussed the importance of properly clearing trees and brush from around structures, and how simple measures like removing deck cushions and covering woodpiles can protect houses from spot fires. Spot fires happen from hot ash and burning debris from nearby fires and are one of the greatest threats to structures.
August 22:
The fire safety bill, AB2447, was amended on the Senate floor and passed by a vote of 21-17. The bill requires new subdivisions in high fire hazard areas to be reviewed by fire officials and to have at least two access roads. The Senate amendments (minor) need to be approved by the assembly before the bill is sent to the Governor for signature.
August 21:
In a cost cutting move, Royal Gorge has announced that, except for during holiday periods, the resort will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the upcoming season.
August 9:
Royal Gorge held its last "Ramble" with Kevin Whitlock, a professional Forester as their speaker. It was clear from his talk that the forests around Serene Lakes, especially those on Royal Gorge lands are very overgrown (700 trees per acre, rather than 100 to 300) and represent an extreme fire risk. He recommended clearing smaller scrub trees in order to allow the larger trees to thrive. If this is done, fires are more likely to be ground fires which do not ignite the larger trees' crowns. Royal Gorge said they will wait and do fuel reduction as a part of their proposed development plans. Leaving the forest and community at risk is unacceptable, as Mr. Whitlock had indicated there are State and Federal funds available to cover 75% of the cost, with potential to recover the remaining 25% through firewood and/or fuel pellet sales.
August 8:
The SLCWD board discussed converting their water permit to a license rather than continuing to apply for expensive extensions, and have requested a presentation on the subject by the District's lawyers. The board also formed a committee to look into what can be done to reduce the hazard of wildfires destroying the watershed, especially in the forests owned by Royal Gorge and the US Forest Service. The risk is described in this letter: Watershed Wildfire Concerns. Finally, the board agreed to hire a new eminent domain lawyer to expedite the purchase of the lake bottom.
August 8:
Four candidates have filed to run for the two SLCWD board positions up for mail-in vote on November 4th. They are: Wade Freedle (incumbent), Martin Bern (incumbent), Al Le Bel and Joseph Gray. IMPORTANT: You must return the property owner certificate (sent by SLCWD last week) in order to vote.
August 8:
The State Water Quality Control Board has been investigating unusual algae growth in the South Yuba River below the DSPUD treated effluent discharge pipes. The State Board's report shows that the DSPUD discharge contains Nitrates and Phosphorus that can cause the growth. In addition the board found excessive algae growth in the treatment tanks. The State Board is requiring that DSPUD show, by September 8th, how they will be correcting these problems. A copy of the report is here: Donner Summit Inspection Report 30June08.
August 7:
The Appropriations Committee moved the fire safety bill, AB2447, out of the Suspense file and sent it to the Senate floor for vote. The calls to Senator Torlakson's office helped, Thanks!
August 6:
The fire safety bill (AB2447) was put in the "Suspense" file by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bills are put in the Suspense file pending further financial impact analysis, and only 25% make it out of the Suspense file for a Senate floor vote. Calls supporting the bill to Senator Tom Torlakson (916-651-4007, chair of the Appropriations Committee) will help release the bill from the Suspense file. Please call now! For details see: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/08/wildland_fires.html.
July 31:
San Francisco's ABC TV affiliate, KGO channel 7, aired a segment Thursday night (7PM) on Donner Summit and the proposed "sprawl" in the Sierra. The segment included interviews with residents, Sierra Watch, local merchants and Royal Gorge. The segment can be viewed here: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=6299667
July 11:
At their board meeting today, the SLCWD water board expressed concern that there has been no progress relating to their efforts to purchase or acquire by eminent domain the lake bottom and greenbelt. The board also discussed their response to the state water board complaint filed by a lakeside homeowner. The response clarified their method of diverting water during the summer. The response can be found here: SLCWD_response.pdf
July 10:
During this morning's Placer County Planning Commission meeting, a Royal Gorge representative told the commission that the "idea" to pipe water up to Serene Lakes from Rainbow Lodge is "dead," "scrapped," and "won't happen." This contrasts with a recent statement by Mike Livak, RG's program manager, that they didn't want to sell water to Big Bend because they may need it on the Summit. See HAS ROYAL GORGE LLC COME TO THEIR SENSES? for more details.
July 8:
Research from the University of Utah on community evacuation safety in the face of wildfires has been applied to the Serene Lakes Community. The research shows the evacuation safety in Serene Lakes is very bad and will be much worse with any new development. The research results are available in: Serene Lakes: A Fire Evacuation Nightmare.
June 30:
State water quality officials made an unannounced visit to the South Yuba River to test water near the DSPUD outflow. A bloom of algae just down stream led them to investigate whether DSPUD's outflow could have created the algae bloom. Test results are pending. People and animals would be advised to avoid contact with the river until test results are known.
June 26:
The Placer County Planning Department has sent a letter to Royal Gorge stating that a second access road will be required in their plans, mentioning the safety of existing and new residents. The letter is here: Second_Access_Road.pdf This requirement is consistent with the fire safety bill (AB2447) being considered by the state legislature.
June 25:
The fire safety bill (AB2447) was amended by the Senate Local Government Committee and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill should be up for vote this summer. Please call your local State Senator to voice your support for the bill! See Fire Safety Bill AB2447 for the latest version of the bill.
June 24:
A fire safety bill dealing with new development in fire hazard areas is in the California State Senate Local Government Committee after being passed by the state assembly. A simple call to your legislators may help this overdue legislation pass. For more information see: Please help
June 17:
Mountain Area Preservation Foundation (MAPF) set up a series of "social" dinner meetings between Royal Gorge and various groups including SLPOA, Sierra Watch, Sierra Club and SYRCL. The objective of the meetings, other than helping Royal Gorge claim that they are interacting with the community, is unclear. For a take on the meetings see: FOSTER AND SYME "SOCIALS", HOT WEATHER, AND FLIP-FLOPS
June 15:
A useful guidebook to California's "show me the water" laws and how they apply to potential developments has been published by the California Water Impact Network. A copy of the guidebook is on the SaveSereneLakes.org Documents page as: Show me the water guidebook. It's useful in understanding the responsibilities of SLCWD in managing our water supply, and planning for the future, given the pressures of drought and proposed development. Another useful document is a publication from the California Department of Water Resources regarding wells in fractured rock aquifers such as those proposed to be used by Royal Gorge. The document (Water Facts) states that fractured rock wells are very unpredictable and their yields can decline drastically during dry years.
June 13:
At Friday's waterboard meeting, Mike Livak of Royal Gorge tried to prove that last December's testing of SLCWD wells was sufficient to establish their use as a water supply. The water board disagreed, saying that longer tests are required.
June 12:
The Nevada County Grand Jury completed an investigation of the Donner Summit Public Utilities District (DSPUD). A summary of their findings can be found here: THE NEVADA COUNTY GRAND JURY AND DSPUD.
June 4:
Royal Gorge hosted a morning "ramble." Mike Livak, Royal Gorge's project manager, says the resort plans are being revised to emphasize trails rather than downhill skiing, but will still be 950 units. No date for filing plans with the County was offered.
June 3:
Crystal Jacobson of Placer County planning reported that Royal Gorge held a meeting with her and the County Planning Director Michael Johnson in May. She reports that Royal Gorge seems to be on the same 950 unit development path, and that smaller options were not presented or discussed. She has no idea when they will file, and no new meetings are planned. Crystal said RG showed them a residential lot map for the property that would not require any zoning changes. It was for around 1200 units and was in a standard residential style "street and lot" grid similar to Serene Lakes. This must be primarily in Lake Camp, as it has a large area zoned for single family residences (RS zoning). Ski Camp has only a small 40 or 50 acre area with RS zoning. She said they described the map as one that they had shown in an earlier community meeting. She said RG wasn't pushing it as a plan alternative, more like it was a "here's what would fit into existing zoning" map.
May 23:
A water supply meeting was held between SLCWD and Royal Gorge. SLCWD objected to Royal Gorge's claims that the tests they performed on the two SLCWD wells last fall validate their long term supply potential. SLCWD believes longer tests are needed. SLCWD reserves the wells for emergency uses, as the wells are contaminated with Arsenic and Manganese. Yet to be determined is the actual long term production of the wells, the effect of prolonged droughts on their production, their effect on the local water table and lake level and the effect of other wells in the area. SLCWD stated that their water management approach is to generate a water supply assessment (expected this fall) and use that to predict availability. Royal Gorge's proposals to expand the supply will be considered at that time.
May 21:
A lakeside homeowner has filed a questionable complaint with the State Water Rights Control Board claiming that SLCWD has not been properly bypassing water during the summer months as required by their water permit. The complaint alleges that summer inflow to the lakes is retained for aesthetic and boating reasons rather than being immediately released into Serena Creek. Last year the summer's inflow, which was mostly due to the September storms, was released, when the proper amount was calculated, in October. Approximately 2.4 inches of water, hardly enough to effect boating, was released. A copy of the complaint is on the Documents page of www.saveserenelakes.org
May 20:
DSPUD held a Wastewater Expansion Committee meeting to discuss sewage plant expansion plans. DSPUD's consulting firm, Eco:Logic, reported their progress on permit renewal, wastewater flow and loading characteristics, and the wastewater plant capacity. The biggest issue with the new permit is that the plant's processing will need to be improved in order to meet more stringent discharge purity requirements. Expansion plans are currently aimed at meeting the new requirements, not increasing capacity. Blake Tresan's summary of the meeting can be found here: DSPUD-5-20-08.pdf
May 14:
Royal Gorge showed a map of their proposed Ski Camp on their "morning ramble" on May 7th. A photo of the map is now available at www.SaveOurSummit.org/development.html#ski_camp_map. The map shows the bottom and sides of the Ski Camp bowl (east of Serene Lakes) filled with buildings, roads and parking lots. The flat bottom of the bowl is covered with townhomes, condos, lodge, wellness center and and other commercial buildings. The home lots sprawl all over the hillsides, avoiding creek beds and areas too steep to build on. A mountain top restaurant is shown looming over it all.
May 9:
The SLCWD board rescinded the Lake Level Management Resolution pending correction of its wording. Three members voted to rescind the resolution, and two voted to keep it as is. The board also requested an appraisal of the lakes' bottom in consideration of either purchasing it from Royal Gorge LLC, or acquiring by eminent domain. Acquiring the lake bottom gives the district the ability to better manage the lake's water quality and to protect the lake's health and the health of its surrounding greenbelt. The board reports that the district will be able to complete infrastructure upgrades a year ahead of schedule.
May 9:
Royal Gorge LLC has scheduled a meeting in around two weeks with Placer County Director of Planning, Michael Johnson. The planning department says the subject of the meeting is unknown and no plans are expected to be submitted. To read more see: "Will Placer County bend their rules for B.A.D.?"
April 11:
The Sierra Lakes County Water District (SLCWD) board unanimously voted, over opposition from Royal Gorge and one of their lawyers, to adopt the Water Priority Ordinance No. 2008-82 and the Lake Level Management Resolution No. 2008-787. The first ordinance requires the district to reserve enough water to satisfy the undeveloped lots within Serene Lakes (who have been paying standby charges and bond repayment charges for 30 years), before determining if there is enough water for future subdivisions such as the proposed Royal Gorge development. Royal Gorge wanted a first-come, first-served, policy. The second resolution sets the water level target for lowering the lakes level at no more than 3 feet below the dam, similar to the historical low of 2.8 feet. This allows the district to determine how much water will be available for future users. Royal Gorge thinks that the resolution, even though it does not change anything, requires an expensive Environmental Impact Revue (EIR) process, paid for by SLCWD. For a description of the effects of lowering the lake to four feet, as requested last May by Royal Gorge, see "Serene Lakes Trail Map."
April 11:
A sewage transport and treatment presentation was given at the SLCWD water board meeting by Royal Gorge's consultants. Besides the cost ($40M) of expanding the DSPUD waste treatment plant, the primary concerns are the disposal of the treated wastewater. The three options are dumping down the South Yuba River, surface spraying on two Royal Gorge parcels (one directly north of Lake Camp and one directly over Alan's pass north-east of Ski Camp), or sub-surface irrigation (leach fields) on the parcel north of Lake Camp. Note that significant health and water quality approvals must be obtained and studies are required to determine if leach fields work in the shallow bedrock soil, before any of these options can be pursued. Note that surface sprayed areas must be kept off-limits to human contact.
April 11:
Information packets have been received from the USFS indicating that the staging area for the Tahoe-Sierra 100 Ultra endurance 100 mile mountain bike race has been moved from Royal Gorge to the French Meadows area. Public concerns about parking, camping and crowd control addressed to the County have prompted the move to French Meadows where there is camping and facilities to host the event. The USFS will be examining the potential impacts of the race over the next few weeks before issuing a permit.
April 9:
Sierra Watch sends a letter, signed by nine conservation groups, to Nevada County and Placer County Supervisors urging them to support planning principles designed to safeguard the Donner Summit region. Read more in the report published on YubaNet.com: Sierra Conservationists unite to defend Donner Summit.
March 31:
Sugar Bowl announced this weekend that their "Letter of Intent" with Royal Gorge is no longer valid and they will not pursue a ski lift connection between the resorts. The announcement came in today's "The Union" newspaper. A copy of that announcement can be read here.
March 29:
Royal Gorge must move the high voltage transmission towers that pass through Lake Camp. A PG&E spokesman reports that RG has asked that the lines be buried underground, or if that isn't possible, to have the towers and lines moved out of the way. PG&E has agreed to study, at RG's expense, whether burying the lines or moving the lines is even feasible (reliability and maintenance are of concern) and how much the options will cost. RG has not returned the study contract, so the study has not been done. A ball park estimate was given of $3,000 per foot for a typical undergrounding job, but there are too many variables, such as trenching through volcanic tuff and granite, to give a reliable number. At $3,000/ft, the 1.0 to 1.5 mile undergrounding job would cost $16M to $24M! Read Royal Gorge LLC's Power Play for more information.
March 26:
The same USFS district ranger that adamantly said on March 19th that no application had been filed for the race, now states that she has had the application since September. She will not say when the scoping process will begin. Stay tuned for the constantly changing story.
March 19:
The USFS district ranger responsible for permitting the Tahoe Sierra 100 race says that no USFS permit is in process, nor has one even been applied for by the promoter.
March 18:
Correction: Despite the promoter's claim that he was meeting with Placer County today (March 18) to discuss the TOE permit, the County has stated that the promoter has neither contacted the County, nor set up any meetings with them. The permit is required to ensure that the event is properly planned and issues such as parking, camping, fire safety, crowd control, road closures, emergency services and environmental damage are adequately addressed.
March 16:
Royal Gorge and the Tahoe Sierra 100 bike race promoter need to get a Temporary Outdoor Event permit from Placer County. the permit is to ensure that a plan exists for crowd control, traffic, parking, camping, outdoor music, etc.. There is also a very strong chance that Royal Gorge's Conditional Use Permit for XC skiing would not cover a bike race. If you have questions or objections for Placer County, Crystal Jacobsen is currently the appropriate person to address them to; the race promoter will be meeting with her this Tuesday, March 18. Her email is: cjacobse@placer.ca.gov. Fire risk questions related to camping at Royal Gorge and other emergency services questions can be addressed to truckeefire@truckeefire.org
March 14:
Ice thickness measurements taken on March 11th were released at the SLCWD water board meeting. The ice is approximately 5 feet thick near the middle of the lake and 3 feet thick around the edges. This means there is only between 2 and 2.5 feet of water available between the bottom of the ice and the top of the district's water intake manifold. This may mean that there is less than 50 AF of water available during the winter months. Current water usage is 39 AF from Dec through March, which would use up most of that 50 AF. It should be noted that RG's proposed development is projected to consume 48 AF per month.
March 12:
After 9 weeks of not hearing from Royal Gorge, Placer County planning has been told that RG will be submitting their application soon, but RG would not say when. RG asked the planning department how many copies of the application they should prepare. The planning department says that the plans will be submitted in both hard copy and electronic form for easy distribution and will be available to the public immediately.
March 12:
A 100 mile mountain bike endurance race has been announced which will be held on Royal Gorge and US Forest Service land on the weekend of September 5, 6 and 7th. The organizer's website is: Tahoe Sierra 100 The race features up to 700 riders, with free camping, bands and entertainment at Royal Gorge for all participants. The race will start on Royal Gorge lands, descend down Soda Springs road to the North Fork of the American River, join the Tevis 100 trail leading to Foresthill. Unlike casual mountain biking, competitive races with hundreds of riders tear up trails and fire roads similar to motocross events. Concerns besides trail destruction, are increased fire danger and the impact of over 1,000 campers on Royal Gorge and Forest Service lands. The organizers have a Forest Service permit for Foresthill road, but still need permits for areas east of there, as well as a "Temporary Outdoor Event" permit from Placer County.
March 7:
Nevada County planning reports that Royal Gorge's Van Norden Meadow project (inherited from the previous RG owner) has been on hold for over six months without any contact from the developers in that period. The planning department considers the project to be stale, states that the unfinished EIR contract has been closed and says RG would probably have to start the process over again in order to proceed.
March 6:
The two proposed SLCWD ordinances are being revised and will not be discussed or voted on during the March 14th board meeting. The ordinances will likely be ready for the April 11th meeting.
March 2:
Royal Gorge's lawyers sent another comment to the SLCWD board this week addressing the two draft ordinances. In a convoluted argument that not even a lawyer could appreciate, Royal Gorge is apparently arguing that the district can provide water to fill Royal Gorge's "West Lake" for recreational purposes, but can not consider keeping water in Serene Lakes for recreational purposes. For editorial commentary, see "Legal Lunacy or Water on the Brain". If you
have questions, be sure to attend the March 14th water board meeting.
February 16:
The SLCWD board presented two draft ordinances which will be voted on at their March 14th meeting. The first ordinance establishes that existing subdivided lots have priority over any future subdivided lots for water and sewage services. The second ordinance deals with the management of Serene Lakes, with a specific condition that, except for emergencies, the lake level will not be allowed to drop more than three feet below the dam level. Royal Gorge protested both ordinances, bring a lawyer and an hydro-geologist to speak on their behalf. The proposed ordinances can be found here: Ordinance No. 2008-82 and Ordinance No. 2008-83. A summary can be found here: Brief Overview of SLCWD's Proposed Ordinances
February 15:
The Sierra Nevada Group of the Sierra Club hosted a very successful seminar called "challenges on Donner Summit" with speakers from Sierra Watch, SYRCL and SLPOA.
February 11:
Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz attended the DSAA board meeting. Mr Kranz effectively shut the door on DSAA's effort to generate a community plan for Donner Summit saying it wasn't going to happen. For more information read this entry from savethesummit.com: Bruce Kranz and Community Plans- Not Exactly a Match Made in Heaven
February 4:
SLCWD water district employees drilled holes in the ice to check the thickness of the ice and discovered that the ice is over 4 feet thick and appears to block the channel between the lakes and the channel leading up to the dam. This means that there is very little water between the bottom of the ice and the top of the water intake. See Our Frozen Water Supply for more details.
January 25:
Royal Gorge presented their wastewater treatment plans to the DSPUD board on January 15th. While four options were presented, including building their own treatment plant and disposing of treated effluent in massive leach fields, only one is viable, to expand the DSPUD plant and to increase the summer effluent spraying on the Soda Springs ski hill, and winter dumping down the South Yuba River. The expansion cost is estimated to be around $40 million dollars. A summary of their plans can be found in this article: Royal Gorge Sewage or "Squaring the Circle"
January 22:
The Placer County and Nevada County "Local Agency Formation Commissions" (LAFCOs) have been discussing how to handle the cross-county sewage and water issues raised by the Royal Gorge proposal. Currently the Royal Gorge project is within SLCWD's boundaries in Placer County, but the sewage will be treated at DSPUD's plant in Nevada County. In the Sierra Sun article "Royal Gorge Impacts Cross County Lines", Mr. Livak of Royal Gorge suggests that the development be annexed into DSPUD, rather than SLCWD. This could cause an undesirable merger of the two districts. A summary of the LAFCO discussions written by Nevada County LAFCO's executive officer, SR Jones, can be found here: NC_LAFCO_Jan08
January 11:
A special SLCWD water board meeting was held concerning water supplies. SLCWD presented a "Surface Water Balance Model" for Serene Lakes and Royal Gorge presented their recently released "Water Supply Alternatives" study. Over 80 people attended the meeting. The SLCWD model can be used to predict the lake level on a day by day basis given different climatic and water demand scenarios. Ben Swann of CDM, Royal Gorge's water consultants, presented their water supply study. A summary of the problems with their study can be found in the document: "Royal Gorge Water Study Analysis: A Hodge-Podge of Fragile Sources".
January 8:
Royal Gorge met with Placer County planning on Monday Jan. 7th and told them that they will be filing the formal application in 3 to 4 weeks. Placer County said they would accept the application if it is complete.
January 6:
In touting the amount of open space in their new "specific plan", Royal Gorge claims that space between buildings is open space, that Serene Lakes is open space for Ski Camp, and that the strip of Royal Gorge Land in Van Norden Meadow near Sugar Bowl is open space for Summit Camp. Actual open space in Lake, Summit and Ski Camps are closer to 60%, not the 85% claimed. Note that Royal Gorge also claims that 60% of the land is not buildable.
January 3:
Royal Gorge posts their Nov. 21st documents online at www.royalgorgefuture.com, click on the "Materials provided to Placer County" button. Note: The Water Supply Alternatives" and wastewater reports are corrupted on the Royal Gorge site, fixed copies are available on the "Documents" page of www.SaveSereneLakes.org.
January 2:
A first look at the Royal Gorge Documents is summarized here.
January 1, 2008:
Happy New Year: The Union newspaper writes about the release of the Royal Gorge Documents. Read the story here.
In 2007:
December 31:
Laura Brown of The Union newspaper has been told by the County that the Royal Gorge Documents have finally been released and can be viewed in the County's planning department. Congratulations and thanks to Laura Brown and The Union for following up on the issue.
December 26:
An article in The Union newspaper on the 25th (reprinted in the Sierra Sun on the 26th) reports that Placer County has agreed to hold onto the Royal Gorge documents. The County's action was in response to SLPOA attorney Don Mooney's request for two court dates, first to get an injunction forcing the County to keep the documents, and second for a hearing on making the documents public. The County, in order to avoid the court hearings, has asked Royal Gorge to make the documents public. The article can be read here.
December 19:
An open letter has been sent to the Placer County Board of Supervisors requesting that they look into the actions of the County's planning department. The letter can be found on the "Documents" page.
December 19:
Michael Johnson, Placer County Director of Planning, responding 14 days after the request for the Royal Gorge documents, writes that the County has told Royal Gorge to take back the Documents, and if they don't, the County will have to release them to the public. He reports that Mike Livak of Royal Gorge has requested that the County send them back. The emails exchanged with the County, as well as Mr. Johnson's letter and Mike Livak's request for the return of the documents, can be found on the "Documents" page. Mr Johnson's letter states that the applicant (Royal Gorge) requested that the documents not be released to the public and the County agreed to do so. This raises the question as to why the County would choose to honor a developer's request, even though honoring that request is an obvious breech of the California Public Records Act.
December 19:
The Union newspaper has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the Royal Gorge documents with Placer County. In an article published today (it can be found here), The Union reports that the County is in the process of sending the documents back to Royal Gorge.
December 15:
With around 70 attendees, the "Summit Summit" worked towards developing "guiding principles" for the Donner Summit area. More information will be available shortly.
December 14:
The SLCWD water board featured Mr. Farrar of the US Geological survey. He presented very interesting information regarding geologic and hyrdrologic assessments of the fragile Donner Summit area. Mr. Farrar concluded with a list of studies required to understand the water related processes around Serene Lakes. Notes of his presentation will be available shortly.
When Mr. Livak of Royal Gorge was questioned at the water board meeting about why the "Water Supply Alternatives" study had not been given to the water board at the same time it was given to the County, as Mr. Livak had promised would happen in the October meeting, Mr. Livak responded that he had not "promised" to do so, it was only an "intention". A board member said he had heard the study had been returned to Royal Gorge. This has not been confirmed.
December 7:
Calls to Mr. Johnson about the status of the documents have not been returned for 3 days, but it has been determined that the documents have not been returned and are still scheduled to be reviewed by the County.
December 5:
Mr.Johnson's proposal to send the documents back to Royal Gorge has been protested, emphasizing that to dispose of the documents after receiving a request for them, is, in itself, a violation of the California Public Records Act. Mr. Johnson replied that the matter is being forwarded to the County's General Counsel.
December 4:
Mr. Johnson, Placer County Director of Planning, says, rather than disclose the documents, which include a new specific plan and water supply alternative study, he will recommend sending them back to Royal Gorge without review.
December 3:
A call to Placer County planning department reveals that Royal Gorge LLC submitted new documents to the County the day before Thanksgiving. Crystal Jacobson, lead planner for the County, called the submission "Administrative Documents" which contained draft studies, including a water study. She said the studies would not be available to the public due to their status as "Administrative Drafts".
Ms. Jacobson says the documents will be subject to internal County review, which could take 6 or more months, before they are deemed adequate for use in a formal project application. She said the County must review the documents so that the County can endorse the "authenticity" of the studies. Questioned as to why the water district (SLCWD) wasn't involved in the review in order to determine the study's authenticity, she replied that the County was only reviewing to determine if the studies were complete, and that the water district would get a chance to review the study in the EIR process. One wonders how the County can determine "completeness" without input from the water district.
December 3:
A call to the water district confirmed that they had not received a copy of the water study and would be requesting a copy from the County.
December 3:
A call to Grant Miller of the County's Environmental Health Department (he is charged with handling water and sewer issues for the project), confirmed that he received the study "Water Supply Alternatives, Administrative Draft- Private" and has been asked to review it by January 2nd. He says it is a couple hundred pages long. He said he would check to see if the study had a disclaimer stating that SLCWD had not reviewed nor endorsed the study. SLCWD had request such a disclaimer on any water related County submittal not reviewed by the district.
December 3:
A request for the "Water Supply Alternatives" study was filed with the County by a private party under the California Public Records Act. Mr. Michael Johnson, Director of Planning, denied the request, stating that the study is an administrative draft "not retained by a public agency in the ordinary course of business (Govt. code section 6254(a))" and is, therefore, exempt from disclosure. As the County has distributed copies to various departments for review over the next few months, it is clear that the study, draft or not, is being retained and used in the ordinary course of County business and should be made available to the public. Further, draft documents can only be withheld "if the public interest in withholding those records clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure (Govt code section 6254(a))". As there is no public interest in withholding the study, only Royal Gorge LLC's interest, and as the document is being used in the County's ordinary course of business, an appeal is being filed to obtain the study.
December 3:
Mike Livak of Royal Gorge LLC claims the pre-thanksgiving submittal is an administrative exchange with the County, calling the water study a series of questions as to what the County would require and approve for water supplies. At a couple hundred pages, that is a lot of questions. Mr. Livak also says RG would be submitting their plans in a month or two, with the submittal being a subdivision plan for Lake Camp and an specific plan for the whole development which would request an amendment to the County's General Plan.
November 27:
Sierra Watch and Sierra Club issue a "Conservation Assessment and Planning Principles" report for Donner Summit. The report can be found on the "Sierra Watch" website.
November 22:
Royal Gorge announces in their "What's New" section of RoyalGorgeFuture.com that their "development application" will not be filed with the county until next year (2008). A county filing had been expected in December.
November 9:
A Conversation with Mike Livak of RG confirms that they will be phasing the development, with Lake Camp to be built first. This means that they will be submitting detailed plans for Lake Camp, but only general "bubble" plans for the remaining areas. Mr. Livak says that they are waiting for consultants to finish before they can submit plans to the County, and that it will take another month before they are ready.
November 9:
The SLCWD board meeting received public input from 4 individuals expressing their concerns about:
Mike Livak of RG says the new water studies will include "water level management" but does not elaborate.
The water board emphasized that RG, not the district, is studying raising the dam level. The district's consultants (Jones and Stokes) will review the results.
RG is pushing to study the flow rate of the two district wells. These wells are contaminated with Arsenic and Manganese. One well is unusable due to manganese content and the other is only approved for emergency use due to arsenic content, which raises the question as to why the wells' flow rate is even of interest. In any case, the board raised concerns that the flow testing would contaminate the lakes, so the discharge water must be disposed of elsewhere, either trucked away, or if permission is granted by DSPUD, disposed down the sewer.
November 8:
Crystal Jacobson of Placer County planning reports that RG LLC has not submitted anything new and has not told the County when they will. She is expecting RG to submit plan and descriptions to allow them to build Lake Camp first. She says that RG will need to include lot lines, roads, utility placement and other infrastructure details for Lake Camp. They will not need to submit the same level of details for the remaining development, but will need enough details to allow a comprehensive EIR to be generated. Public input and review will be required for each subsequent phase. The county will do a thorough internal review of the Lake camp submission, a process that will take at least 6 months, before RG will be able to file a formal application and start the CEQA/EIR process.
November 3:
The Donner Summit Area Association unveiled their professionally conducted survey of summit residents. The results show that residents overwhelmingly oppose development, and want to slow down growth on the summit. Restricting development and protecting the environment were the most important issues for over 80% of the respondents. See "Solidarity on the Summit" for more details. The complete survey is on the DSAA
website as "Full Survey Report"
November 1:
An electronic version of a Royal Gorge LLC promotional book was published on the web and then removed two days later. The book, which states that it was produced in a hand-made natural binding, appears to be a promotional item given to investors last March at about the same time that Royal Gorge was unveiling their plans to the public. The "investors" book never mentions the Serene Lakes community, with only one reference to the lakes themselves. Many times they emphasize that Sugar Bowl has given them a "Board Certified Letter of Intent" to "connect Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl resorts, build three new chairlifts and downhill ski trails, and a new portal to Sugar Bowl." Lake Camp is described as a private resort with homeowners lodge, multiple pools, lakes, sports courts and equestrian facilities. The ski camp restaurant on Razorback Ridge is described as a private club for lunch, open to the public only for dinner. Royal Gorge was telling the public in March that they were looking for public input, at the same time they were telling investors "the major building blocks are now in place to finalize the preferred development plan and gain the necessary government approvals."
October 30:
A Plavada resident discovers that the law firm of Remy-Thomas is assisting Royal Gorge LLC in their efforts to get development permits from the County. The problem is that Remy-Thomas has represented the Serene Lakes homeowners association in opposing Royal Gorge's Van Norden project, which has been folded into Royal Gorge's current project. This means that the same law firm is representing both sides, a clear conflict of interest.
October 20:
The Royal Gorge Future website has new FAQs which reach dizzying heights of spin. Examples: When asked whether the development will overcrowd Serene Lakes, Royal Gorge responds that it won't happen because the recreational opportunities at Lake Camp will be so good that no one will want to use Serene Lakes. In another answer Royal Gorge says they are only building on 30% of their land, preserving 70%, but admit in the next paragraph that only 40% is even developable.
October 19:
An analysis of the August Bathymetric studies has been generated that highlights the problems with increasing the water draw from Serene Lakes beyond what is currently used. This analysis can be found on the "Documents" page of www.saveserenelakes.org as Serene Lakes Depth Analysis by Joseph Gray. The analysis concludes that there isn't even enough water for future use of the Serene Lakes Community without imposing water conservation measures. The study also shows that dredging does not improve the situation significantly.
October 13:
Placer County recorder files indicate that the business value of the Royal Gorge LLC purchase in 2005 was $20.1 million. Add that to the land value (see the October 7th entry below) of $13.9 million, and the total purchase price was $34M. A trust deed filing indicates that RG LLC took out a $17M loan to complete the purchase. If the interest is 6%, RG is paying $1M per year to service the loan.
October 12:
Mike Livak of Royal Gorge announced at the SLCWD water board meeting that they will have new water study reports available in November and will be submitting them directly to the County and public, rather than having them reviewed by the water district experts first. The water board is requiring that the studies have a disclaimer clearly stating that they have not been generated by, nor reviewed by the district.
The reports will include new water demand projections, new water supply sources, and studies of dredging the lakes and raising the Serene Lakes' dam by 6 inches, 12 inches or 18 inches. It is unclear what the dam height increase study will cover other than the increased water volume and amount of lakeside inundation. It is questioned whether the study will cover important factors such as flooding private property, killing lakeside trees and vegetation, and damaging foundations of lakeside homes or the ever increasing bathtub ring around the lake.
October 10:
Crystal Jacobson of Placer County planning reports that Royal Gorge LLC is close to filing a new specific plan (not a formal application) and has enquired how many copies to make.
October 10:
Grant Miller of Placer County Environmental Health says that Placer County wants to see the worse case scenario for water usage. He says 'homes are not campgrounds where people can be sent away if water runs out." He says the water district will be looked to for guidance on how much water a full time occupant (not 46% occupancy) will need, and that number should be used for all potential lots. The water district also determines how much water is available, which dictates how many lots can be developed.
October 7:
Placer County tax and appraisal records show that the Royal Gorge holdings (including Rainbow Lodge, Ice Lakes Lodge, two parcels in Negro Canyon and the lands being used for the four "Camps") have been appraised for tax purposes at $18.5M and they pay $196K in yearly property tax. Two anomalies are in the records:
1) The lake bottom (parcel 069-020-068) has been appraised to have no value, and no taxes have been paid on it.
2) The Summit Station parcel is owned by Royal Gorge Partners, not Royal Gorge LLC, and has been listed that way since 1986. The parcel has not been re-appraised since 1986, and is listed with a land value of $1,592 (5 acres) and a structure value of $803,517. The same parcel has a business assessment of $332,940 for fixtures and personal property in the name of Royal Gorge LLC. A summary of the tax records are on the "Documents" page.
September 17:
SLPOA has hired a lobbyist, Alan Edelstein of Edelstein and Gilbert, to monitor water and other issues in Sacramento that may effect the development and to contact legislators and state government officials on our behalf.
September 15:
Donner Summit Area Association (DSAA) presented a water rights seminar at Sugar Bowl. The well attended seminar featured three local experts, Peter Van Zant from Sierra Watch, Jason Rainey from the South Yuba River Citizen's League (SYRCL) and Otis Wollan from the Placer County Water Authority (PCWA). The seminar covered legal and environmental water issues and their applications to development on Donner Summit. DSAA and SLPOA prepared notes from the seminar which can be found on the “Documents” page.
September 10:
The results of a Biological Resources Survey commissioned by Royal Gorge in 2006 has been released along with a third party review of the survey. The survey and the third party review were the subject of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Royal Gorge and the Sierra Club, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation, North Fork of the American River Alliance, the Sierra Business Counsel and the Donner Summit Area Association. The groups hired Dr Mike White to review the survey. The review concluded that the Biological Resources Survey was inadequate and much more work is needed. The Survey, its companion Wetlands Survey, the Review and associated documents can be found on the “Documents” page.
August 28, 2007:
A new bathymetry and capacity survey of Serene Lakes has been completed and can be found in Bathymetry and Capacity. The studies show the lakes' total volume is 775 acre-feet (AF) when full. Key findings are that the maximum water draw before the intake pipe is exposed is around 480 AF. The channels between the lakes will dry up after a water draw of 320 AF. At this point approximately 20 acres of the lake's surface will be less than a foot deep. Note that every year around 100 AF is lost due to evaporation and seepage, and 115 AF is used by current homeowners. Royal Gorge, at the 100% occupancy required by the County, will need an additional 500 AF. That total is 715 AF, well beyond the lake's capacity.
August 27, 2007:
Royal Gorge emails a complaint about SLPOA's August newsletter, here's a SLPOA response: When it Comes to Water, Ask about the Public Trust Doctrine
August 21, 2007:
Kirk Syme complains in a "My Turn" opinion article for the Sierra Sun that Donner Summit groups have declined to meet with Royal Gorge LLC. The truth is that the groups did agree to meet and continue to have informal discussions with Royal Gorge's project manager (Mike Livak). See the timeline entries for July 7th and March 26th for details about the meetings that Mr. Syme is complaining about.
August 15, 2007:
Crystal Jacobson, lead planner for Placer County, says there has been no change in the Royal Gorge Project status and does not know when Royal Gorge LLC will actually start the permit process.
August 10, 2007:
Mike Livak, of RG LLC, announced at the SLCWD board meeting that new water supply and water demand reports will be released soon. These are expected to include multiple sources of water including re-damming Van Norden Meadow and building a storage reservoir in Lake camp. The water for the reservoir is expected to be taken from Serene Lakes during the spring snow melt season.
August 2007:
A Speakers Bureau has been formed, with a powerpoint slide show almost ready to go on tour. Cliff Busby gave a preview at a Truckee Rotary Club meeting early this month. The final presentation will debut Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned for time and place. The presentation will go over the proposed development and its impact on Donner Summit and will be available for presentations to interested clubs, conservation groups, concerned citizens, and others organizations.
July 27, 2007:
Royal Gorge LLC has hired Darius Anderson, and his lobbying firm, Platinum Advisors. Platinum Advisors notes that lobbying will be directed towards the legislature, state resource departments, transportation departments, and the governor's office. Issues such as raising the dam on Van Norden Meadow, procuring water from other sources, treated sewage discharge into the South Yuba River, realignment of Soda Springs Road, and possible new roadways in the Lake Camps area are likely subjects of lobbying efforts; all money spent, and to whom the money goes will have to be documented. Subjects discussed in meetings, dinners, etc. will not have to be disclosed.
July 18, 2007
Mike Livak, representing Royal Gorge LLC, went to the Donner Summit Public Utilities District (DSPUD) board meeting asking them to delay their current sewage treatment expansion plans in order to include the proposed development's needs. The request was apparently turned down, as DSPUD did not want to delay the expansion due to start in April, 2008.
July 16, 2007
Foster and Syme went to the water board last May knowing that they were requesting more water than was available from Serene Lakes, and that their request would drain the lakes of more than half their water each year. Royal Gorge LLC's water consultants were given a 1991 "lake capacity" document. This document states that the total lake volume is 668 acre-feet (AF), that 371 AF is the absolute maximum draw before the water intake is exposed. The document also shows that after 327 AF the channel between the lakes dries up. Despite these numbers, Foster/Syme suggests that the water district can draw 380 AF each year (265 for RG, 115 for current residents), 9 more AF than is available. Rather than concluding that they want more water than is available, they proposed dredging 60 AF of lake bottom to add capacity. At no time does Foster/Syme mention that (even after dredging) the lakes will be drained of more than half their water. The 1991 document is here.
July 13, 2007
A lively SLCWD board meeting attracted a reported 75 people on Friday night to hear more from Foster and Syme about their water needs and demands. Foster/Syme restated their demand for 265 acre-feet of water each year, and again pushed to dredge the lake. Board members pointed out that their demand should be for full occupancy, not 46% and that the previous dredging was for between 3,000 and 6,000 cubic yards of aquatic material, not the 100,000 cubic yards proposed by Foster/Syme. See the Sierra Sun article “Royal Gorge Water Debate Heats Up” for details.
July 7, 2007
Seven summit area groups, including SLPOA, respond to a suggestion by the Mountain Area Preservation Foundation (MAPF) and Royal Gorge LLC to hold a series of meetings between all "stakeholder" parties. A copy of that proposal is here: MAPF_RG_proposal.pdf. The groups' response, written by the Donner Summit Area Association, offered to have the meetings start in the fall, when the DSAA had their area wide survey completed. That response is here: Summit_response_to_RG.pdf.
July 2007
Royal Gorge LLC approaches both PG&E and Nevada Irrigation District (NID) asking for water rights. Royal Gorge LLC is reportedly asking to raise Van Norden dam, to be used as a water supply and to be used to dilute effluent dumped into the South Yuba River from an expanded water treatment plant.
July 2007
The Serene Lakes/Donner Summit Conservation Association (SLDSCA, or "Sleds-ca" for short) has been formed as a non-profit, tax deductible, association dedicated to protecting the Donner Summit area through education and advocacy. Tax deductible donations can be made at www.sldsca.org
June 12, 2007:
SLPOA responds to a misleading Royal Gorge LLC memo concerning water issues. Both memos can be viewed on the “Documents” page.
June 7, 2007:
Conservation groups, homeowner groups and other concerned parties gatherd for an all day field trip to view and discuss the proposed Royal Gorge LLC project site. Sierra Watch, Sierra Club, South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), North Fork of the American River Alliance (NFARA), the Serene Lakes Property Owner Association (SLPOA) and others participated along with numerous scientists, legal and planning representatives. See the news release “Conservation Groups Tour the Proposed Royal Gorge Development Site” for details
June 5, 2007:
Royal Gorge LLC holds a pre-development meeting with Placer County planning. Royal Gorge LLC receives instructions for turning in their permit applications. Royal Gorge LLC expects to submit their application within 4 to 6 weeks. Royal Gorge turns in documents that can be viewed on the “Documents” page.
June 1, 2007:
SLPOA sends pre-development comments to Placer County Planning. The letter can be viewed on the “Documents” page.
June 2007:
Royal Gorge is expected to meet with Placer County Planning, the lead agency. A Notice of Project should be expected in the immediate future, which will start the clock running to submit comments to Placer County Planning. Please send a card or letter (SLPOA's sample letter) to preserve your opportunity to be heard.
May 24, 2007:
Royal Gorge presented their water requirement report to the Sierra Lakes County Water District (SLCWD). The size of the development grew from 900 units to 1,010 units (not including hotel or commercial space). Royal Gorge proposes to meet their water needs from Serene Lakes in three ways: by dredging to increase storage, by allowing the water level to drop by more than 4 feet each season, and by capturing the lake outflow during the spring months and storing it in reservoirs or "impoundments" for use later in the year. Details are on the “Documents” page.
May 20, 2007:
A group of organizations meet at Clair Tappaan Lodge, for a planning and CEQA workshop led by Terry Watt. In attendance were members of Sierra Watch, Sierra Club, South Yuba River Citizens League, Serene Lakes Property Owners Association, Donner Summit Area Association, and members of other groups dedicated to fighting the proposed development. Tom Mooers announces that www.sierrawatch.org now has a fund for Donner Summit, and is accepting donations. He also introduces Peter Van Zant, a former Nevada County Supervisor, and president of the board of South Yuba River Citizens League, who will be coordinating all of our efforts.
May 2007:
SLPOA retains environmental lawyer Don Mooney to advise on development issues.
May 2007:
Sometime in the first week of May, Royal Gorge sends a new communication to Nevada County Planning Department, apparently withdrawing the letter of abandonment concerning the EIR for Van Norden Meadow. The status is now, "do nothing" As of mid-May, status remains the same.
April 28, 2007:
Over 200 people crowd into the Serene Lakes Fire Department, to express their fears about Royal Gorge's huge planned development. Almost without exception, all who speak have grave concerns about the wisdom and desirability of Royal Gorge's development schemes. Serene Lakes Property Owners start a legal fund raising- drive, and many people contribute. Contributions continue, and are very welcome.
April 27, 2007:
Nevada County Planning Department receives a letter of abandonment regarding the EIR to pursue the development of Van Norden Meadow that had been initiated by the prior owner of Royal Gorge.
April 12, 2007:
Royal Gorge LLC meets with Placer County planning to file a request for a pre-development meeting. Royal Gorge LLC submits project maps, parcel maps, a pre-development meeting request form and a project description. These can be viewed at the “Documents” page.
April 2007:
Groups form to fight what they perceive as an ill-thought out development. www.savethesummit.com and www.savedonnersummit.orgcome online on April 9. These sites, while not related, share the same feelings about Royal Gorge LLC's plans for the summit.
March 26, 2007:
SLPOA requests that Royal Gorge LLC gives them an opportunity to discuss their objections to the development concept. Royal Gorge declines the offer to discuss the concept, stating that they wish to wait until they have finished the details. That response is here: RG_response_to_SLPOA.pdf
March 2007:
Royal Gorge LLC holds a series of three meetings for the public at Ice Lakes Lodge where they reveal their planned vision for Serene Lakes. This "vision" encompasses four camp themed developments, two artificial lakes, closing the current Summit Lodge, putting houses , and blasting lakes near the current trails that go out from Summit Lodge, building a new "Summit Lodge" on the edges of the fragile Van Norden Meadow, downhill ski lifts, and between 900 and 1000 residential units, mostly condominiums and time-shares placed in the watershed of Serene Lakes. The plan fails to address the dangers of only one road in and out of Serene Lakes, across the intercontinental train line.
January 2006:
Royal Gorge LLC buys Ice Lakes Lodge, at Serene Lakes. Royal Gorge refuses to honor prior agreements to scheduled weddings to block out access to the lodge for the privacy of the wedding party. A groom who had a wedding party planned for August was quoted in the Sierra Sun (January 17), "The way they treated us, we don't want to spend our money there."
October 2005:
Todd Foster, Mark Foster, and Kirk Syme buy Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski resort, at 4000 acres considered the largest cross country ski area on the North American continent with more than 9,000 acres of skiing terrain, the largest groomed track system in North America, and the world's largest cross country grooming fleet. Todd Foster tells David Bunker, of the Sierra Sun, "We plan on business as usual out there." "Development of residential is a possibility, and then maybe it is not a possibility." (please note much of the resort uses Federal forest lands)
