May "Save Serene Lakes" update:

Note: Tell friends to go to www.saveserenelakes.org and sign up for these monthly email updates.

Special:

A Hollywood/Royal Gorge Press Release (April 1, 2008):

Blockbuster Hollywood Agreement Reached for Royal Gorge

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

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.
The SLCWD board rescinded the Lake Level Management Resolution pending correction of its wording.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 also reports that the district will be able to complete infrastructure upgrades a year ahead of schedule.
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.?"
General Royal Gorge news: Royal Gorge is trying to sell the two Serene Lakes houses that they use for employee housing. They have closed Ice Lakes Lodge until June 16th, and they have closed Rainbow Lodge for the whole summer. Rainbow Lodge, including their spring and bulk water sales operation, is for sale. Royal Gorge refused to sell water from Rainbow Lodge's spring to local Big Bend neighbors in need of water, instead opting to sell their water to a construction company for dust control during I80 work. This is despite DSPUD's efforts to get Royal Gorge to sell the water to the locals, with the construction water replaced by DSPUD's treated non-potable water. Royal Gorge claims they do not want to sell the water to the locals because they need it for their proposed development, yet they are trying to sell the spring with Rainbow Lodge.

Upcoming Events:

June 13, 5PM, SLCWD Board meeting at the district offices.

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

The following articles were published on the web, in the Sierra Sun, YubaNet or The Union:

Note to Royal Gorge: Quit hogging the water!

(The Union, May 11 2008)

Water Rights and Water Wrongs in the Sierra Nevada

(CaliforniaProgressReport.com, April 25 2008)

The May/June issue of the Donner Summit Clarion will be available soon.

Current Placer County Status:

Royal Gorge is meeting with Michael Johnson, Planning Director, in the next couple of weeks. The subject of the meeting is unknown and no plans are expected to be submitted.

Quotes of the month:

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." -John Muir

"We have to show leadership in protecting our environment so that we have a future for our children and grandchildren" -Arnold Schwarzenegger

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." -William Shakespeare

"The earth is an inheritance to all God's children." -Thomas Paine

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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