"Save Serene Lakes" update for August 2008:

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News: (for a complete news timeline see "news timeline")

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.
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.
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.
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.
The Appropriations Committee moved the fire safety bill, AB2447, out of the Suspense file and sent it to the Senate floor for vote where it is expected to pass and go to the Governor. Getting Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill may be difficult, and may require a call and/or letter writing campaign. For details see: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/08/wildland_fires.html.
San Francisco's ABC TV affiliate, KGO channel 7, aired a segment Thursday July 31st (7PM) about 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.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, August 23: Saturday,Clair Tappaan Lodge 10am: Fire Prevention Seminar with Bob Belden from the Truckee Fire Protection District, followed at 11am: DSAA Annual Membership Meeting
August 31: Sunday 7:00pm, Firehouse, Short Street, Serene Lakes: Serene Lakes/Donner Summit Conservation Association (SLDSCA) is sponsoring a groundwater hydrology presentation by Chris Farrar, a USGS hydrologist.
September 12: Friday 5 PM, SLCWD Water district offices: The September SLCWD board meeting.
September 12-14: Kings Beach, The Sierra Nevada Alliance 15th annual Conservation Conference will be held at the North Tahoe Conference Center. See the event brochure: 15th Annual SNA Conference

Recent Publications: (for links to these and other publications see "articles")

The following articles have been published:

Wildland Fires and Penny Candy

(CaliforniaProgressReport.com, YubaNet.com, The Union Aug 6)

Royal Gorge Road Becomes Hot Topic

(Sierra Sun, August 15)

The August issue of the Donner Summit Clarion is available here: August 2008 Clarion.

Current Placer County Status:

No changes to report. Royal Gorge will not predict when they will file their plans.

Quotes of the month:

"Hurt not the earth, neither the seas, nor the trees." -The Bible

"Once I had mountains in the palm of my hand,

And rivers that ran through ev'ry day.

I must have been mad,

I never knew what I had,

Until I threw it all away." -Bob Dylan

"Walk away in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer." -John Muir

"I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment." -Steve Irwin

Web Sites of Interest:

www.SaveOurSummit.org

www.saveserenelakes.org

www.saveVanNordenMeadow.org

www.savethesummit.com

www.savedonnersummit.org

www.saveroyalgorge.org

www.pissdsociety.com

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