Former County Supervisor Joins Sierra Watch

From The Union, May 16, 2007

By Laura Brown

Former county supervisor Peter Van Zant has joined Sierra Watch in an effort to stop development at Donner Summit.

Van Zant will serve as field director for the Nevada City-based nonprofit group working to preserve land in the Sierra from development.

"The staff has expanded to keep up with the work. The Sierra is a big place," Van Zant said from his cellular telephone on a return trip Tuesday from Donner Summit, where he was visiting to familiarize himself with the region he will now be working to protect.

Van Zant served two terms as a Nevada County Supervisor from 1997 to 2004. During that time, he helped make decisions on land use issues including the Deer Creek II housing project and annexation agreements with the City of Grass Valley.

Van Zant stepped down from a volunteer position as president of the board of the South Yuba River Citizens League last week to join the Sierra Watch team full-time. He would not comment on his new salary.

His first project will be to research whether a development proposed by the owners of the Royal Gorge ski area for an area on Donner Summit near the headwaters of the South Yuba River is appropriate for the area, Van Zant said.

"Residents are not happy with the plans revealed so far," Van Zant said.

Sierra Watch has hired several experts to determine how the development will impact the natural resources of the region and are gearing up for a preservation fight similar to one they lead in the Martis Valley.