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Donner Lake is filling up and some folks
are water skiing already. The lake appears to be a bit "murky" and I've
seen some shells on the bottom that look like miniature clam shells --
I have no idea what they're from -- if you know, please email: sos@donner-lake.com.
Check the level of the Lake (high water level is 5935.8'):
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryF?DNN
The BEARS ARE OUT and tearing into weak enclosures; it's a good idea to install a strong METAL garbage enclosure to keep the amount of trash that gets spread around.
Prepare for summer -- make your property as fire safe as possible.
http://www.truckeefire.org/main.asp?id=35
Saturday, June 7th 2008
Dear Friends,
Last year over 800 volunteers came together to clean up Truckee's streets, removing over 6 tons of litter and debris and enjoying the satisfaction that only "hands on" volunteerism can provide! They were also treated to a free barbecue lunch, live music and a great time with their fellow volunteers at Regional Park after the hard work was done.
On Saturday, June 7th 2008, we will celebrate the 5th Annual Truckee Day. In keeping with this year's theme of "Truckee...Clean and Green", we will be holding a Green Living Expo from 12:30-2:00 pm at the park along with the community picnic. Residents will be able to get information on renewable energy alternatives, conservation, recycling and waste management, biofuels, local non profit agencies engaged in sustainability and more!
We're inviting your green business, agency or non profit organization to be a part of the celebration! Businesses and organizations providing volunteers for the clean up will be offered booth spaces free of charge. Please reply to this email to indicate your interest in participating. Space will be allocated on a first - come, first - serve basis, so don't wait!
I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Please email or call if you have any questions.
Beth Ingalls
Truckee Day Coordinator
info@truckeecan.com
530-386-3128
Gerald Herrick
Truckee Day Coordinator
geraldwherrick@yahoo.com
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=rev&pil=PNS&sid=REV&version=0&banner=off
I really like to read the paper as soon as possible, so I went to their
web page (http://www.sierrasun.com/)
and read the few articles that were posted there. I really wanted
to know more; so, when I discovered that just below the "News" and above
the "Sports" is a little box: "Click Here to Read Today's Paper"
-- I clicked on that and a new page opened that showed the front page of
the SUN! I have a very small monitor, so I couldn't read it,
but when I brought my cursor over the paper, another little box opened
up -- when I clicked on an article (even ADVERTISEMENTS), the piece would
be expanded on the right half of my screen so I could read it easier --
what a great feature! Now, you don't have to wait for your issue
to be mailed to you.
Interesting article, with photos, of what's going on in the old Snow
Sheds above Donner Lake:
http://www.thestormking.com/Tahoe_Nuggets/Nugget_118/nugget_118.html
Hi Charlie,
We'll begin ramping up releases the following Monday after Labor
Day (Sep. 10th). By Wednesday Sept. 12, I'll be releasing approximately
50 cfs from the dam which will drop the lake about 1.5" per day.
This should give people more than enough time to make any necessary arrangements.
Thanks,
Bill
This summer could be a very dry one as well, so don't forget to work
on your Defensible Space for fire control.
The warmer temperatures are settling the snow, but we had a good 7' of snow at the West End of Donner Lake.
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District has recognized that when they installed our new water system, they hadn't planned for some of the older Donner Lake Service Lines might be too shallow and can freeze like they did during the cold spell we had in January & February due to the lack of a usual snow cover. Consequently, some owners have had to dig down to the end of their Service Line, where it used to be connected to the Main Line before they could connect a "pipe thawer". The TDPUD's new water service boxes do not have a way to connect to the Service Line at that point -- definitely an oversight!
Our new Weather Station has been installed; unfortunately, the weather
station's web page,
showing all the data, is not yet working right, so for the most up-to-date
(almost-instant) information and some historical data, go to: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCATRUCK10
Put this on your schedule: Annual Turkey Trot will
be November 12: http://www.tahoe-world.com/component/option,com_gigcal/task,details/gigcal_gigs_id,3083/Itemid,89/
"Starting this next Monday, October 2nd, forward however,
the lake will be dropping approximately 3.5"/DAY or so (just about a foot
every 3½ days)... "after this weekend the lake will begin dropping
quite rapidly."
You can be watching the Lake level by clicking here:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryF?DNN
Item #8: Donner Lake billing surcharge public hearing (final costs of the reconstruction of our water system were $1.5 million over-budget and will be paid with a $6.65/month Surcharge for 30 years). Click HERE for a copy (Word Document).
Item #13: Placer LAFCO Annexation Application for the Donner Lake Service Area (the portion of Donner Lake that the TDPUD took over from Sierra Pacific Power Company in the 60s was never formally annexed with Placer County -- this will accomplish that). Click HERE for a copy (PDF Document).
The actual Hearing is set for July 5; the June 21 date is where this
item will be discussed and the Hearing Date is officially set; comments
should be in before 7/5. Click HERE
for the full 6/21/06 Agenda.
Don't forget, you can monitor the level of Donner
Lake here: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryFx?DNN
If you can help out removing debris from Donner Lake on the 24th-26th, 8 a.m. at the Public Boat Ramp, we need all the help we can get to make the Lake safer for the summer and especially the coming Memorial Day Weekend. Please bring gloves, sunscreen, floatation device (Town Police will be in charge and will require everyone to wear their floatation devices during this cleanup). Come meet the members of the Town's and Fire District's "Navy"!
We received .01" of rain during yesterday's storm, but it was a warm
rain which will help warm up our Lake, melt the snow (cools the Lake down).
Nonetheless, water skiers are venturing out while the lake is calm, mornings
and afternoons -- WET SUITS ON of course!
I understand that the Donner Lake Property Owner's Association will soon be sending out their Newsletter with all the candidates and their annual ballot for voting. As always, you'll want to thoroughly review each Candidate's statements before sending in your ballot. If you want further information from anyone, give them a call/e-mail to clear up any questions you might have.
There is a HUGE sand bar at the east end of Donner Village Resort -- when you're boating, be sure to watch out for that. The Town MIGHT put a buoy on it, but who knows if they'll have enough money for that from their $44 + Million Budget this year!
The Sierra SUN and Tahoe World have joined together and will be published under the SUN's masthead, but in the old Tabloid
Great article about the B-17 coming next week: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20060505/COMMUNITY/60504004
Another interesting article: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20060503/COMMUNITY/60503003
Dan Wilkins says that there were be a time this fall for reviewing the
Bike Trail and Drainage Project for next year.
Dan Wilkins (Town of Truckee Engineer) reply regarding the BIKE
LANE & Drainage:
"Charlie,
The current project design would need to
be scaled back to match funding.
The idea would be to construct bike lanes,
drainage improvements, and resurfacing as a top priority. Where the
road bed is wide enough to easily accommodate parking, parking would be
maintained, but where the roadbed needed to be widened
to maintain or construct parking, the parking would be eliminated."
TRUCKEE RIVER and our LAKES:
I attended several meetings dealing with the water situation in our
area last week. As you might suspect, we have PLENTY for this summer
at this point. Naturally, all bets are off if we have a major runoff
problem. Donner Lake will fill without
question. Here is what I received from the man who controls our gates:
"Hi Charlie,
It is impossible to get the lake down any lower since all gates
have been wide open since this fall. My plan is to fill later this
month (and very slowly). I probably won't start closing the gates to start
filling until maybe sometime next week, depending on the weather.
At this point, I am in no hurry to fill the lake. But it looks like
it is going to start warming up and then I'll have no choice in the matter.
I would say that this week for sure would be a really great week to get
any work done that has been put off."
Even Lake Tahoe will probably be FULL for the first time in many years. Unfortunately, the way the water in the Truckee River and our surrounding Lakes & Reservoirs are managed, the very popular rafting from Tahoe City to River Ranch may NOT have enough water for their operation. WHY? Because the water is used downstream (Nevada) for electric generation, commercial/industrial/farming uses and there will more than enough "in-stream flows" so they won't "need" water from Lake Tahoe.
BIKE LANES & DRAINAGE:
I had asked Dan Wilkins (Town of Truckee Engineer) about the
status of the Donner Pass Road Bike Lane and Drainage, here was his answer:
"The project will not be going this year. The goal is next year.
The goal is also to upgrade the drainage as a part of the project."
I asked him a follow-up question, but he hasn't replied yet: "Does that
mean the project as it's already been presented to us? Or, something
different that we have yet to see?" Keep posted for his answer.
FYI:
The site of the old Donner Lake Utility Company Office (corner of Donner
LAKE and Donner PASS Roads) has been listed For Sale by the TDPUD and it's
already in escrow. Listed price is $500,000.
Beginning April 10, the Town of Truckee will begin their Tree removal
and brush cleaning -- starting with Sierra Meadows and Armstrong Tract;
for more information:
http://www.townoftruckee.com/pdfforms/Press%20Release%20-%20Tree%20cutting.pdf
I will be out of town and unable to head the Donner Lake West End Road Cleanup Day on June 3. If you can help out with this effort, please e-mail Pat Perkins (pperkins@townoftruckee.com) as soon as possible.
There is a rumor going around that SBC/ATT may soon have DSL available at Donner Lake! We'll let you know when we hear it's available, or, you can check the following page, by inserting your Donner Lake phone number (include Area Code): https://swot.sbc.com/swot/serviceQual.do?custType=1&local_state=California!
Truckee, 20-MAR-2006, by Emilie Kashtan
Donner Lake Neighbors,
On Thursday evening, March 16, Dave Lopez, District Project Manager for Caltrans, presented a three-phase I-80 construction project, proposed to begin in 2007. This project extends from Castle Peak exit to midtown Truckee, with the first phase to include the west Donner Lake Interchange (DLI) down to the Agriculture Station. In a nutshell, this phase budgeted for $63 million, includes widening I-80, adding a west bound lane, replacing existing culverts, adding three “basins” for water filtering by I-80, connecting west bound and east lanes in the lower levels, rehabilitating the “staging ground” near the Ag. Station, and finally, placing a 12 inch concrete overlay in both directions of the Interstate.
From the presentation it seems that what it doesn’t include is repairing any erosion and damage downhill caused by previous inadequate engineering or failed conveyances, adding more downhill culverts to decrease the volume and velocity caused by I-80 runoff, providing channel ways from the highway down the hillside to Donner Lake, or clearing sand and particulate that now clogs the creeks and Donner Lake.
Council person Richard Anderson asked directly if this project would address the downhill drainage affecting properties and Donner Lake, and the answer was, NO.
I spoke of concerns in keeping involved residents informed and involved in this project. Furthermore, that the mitigation for drainage from the Interstate was originally reduced and inadequate and has perpetuated erosion and flooding problems, especially in light of the failure of maintenance of the downhill channel ways. I identified problems with sand and particulate that have significantly affected and damaged the creeks and Donner Lake quality.
John Eaton of Mountain Area Preservation Foundation expressed concerns of the hillside erosion, wildlife involvement and requested that a full CEQA be conducted.
In a discussion with Dan Wilkins and myself, after the presentation, the four representatives of Caltrans identified that they will be reviewing the concerns, present any changes to the Town engineer, and then bring in the citizens for comment.
Stay tuned.
Emilie Kashtan
P.S. Please see the following letter that I sent to the Town Council,
Lahonton, Ted Ownes Nevada Board of Supervisors, and MAPF
************************************************************************************
Monday, March 20, 2006
To:
Truckee Mayor Ingalls and the Truckee Town Council Members
RE: Caltrans
proposed I-80 project above Donner Lake
Honorable Mayor Ingalls and Respected Town Council Members,
We appreciate you providing the public opportunity for Dave Lopez, District Project Manager of Caltrans, to present the three phase plan for I-80, that includes the section above Donner Lake. Of considerable concern is the lack of “rehabilitation” of the eroded and damaged hillside caused by previous unfiltered drainage, the inadequate engineering and/or failed maintenance of conveyance channel ways, and the lack of proper re engineering of culverts to today’s and future needs, Best Management Practices, I believe it is called. While Caltrans has an eye to future water quality, their plans ignore the current condition that has been caused with sand and particulate in the clogged creeks and Donner Lake. Completely out of the radar screen and into the headlights is the migrating wildlife, as they attempt to cross for a water source at the DLI, the only break in the freeway for many miles.
As you may recall, the subdivisions on the north side of Donner Lake were dedicated around 1924, with cabins and homes built before, during and after the construction of I-80, which was in the early 1960’s. Soon after that construction, existing homes experienced flooding and drainage problems, resulting in litigation, resulting in a penalty against Caltrans as well as requirements to fix problems on complaining owner's properties. These repairs while limited to only a few properties included properly conveying the drainage downhill via structures to Donner Lake. To date, one of those concrete conveyances near 15304 Donner Pass road, lies crumbling due to water force or inadequate maintenance, while other channel ways and culverts have failed causing sheeting drainage, erosion and damage to downhill structures and properties. Now that more homes have been built, they too experience from the original uphill inadequate design for drainage, which continues to funnel improperly from a few culverts off I-80.
Adding complexity to the issue is the TDPUD service road above W. Reed Avenue completed last year without proper drainage mitigation that has compounded the problems. After the first big rain, the water cascaded down in areas never before experiencing flooding, including during the 1997 floods. What happened to proper engineering and inspections that sould have prevented the problems and damage that have occurred this year? Culverts clogged, W. Reed washed out in some sections and has been significantly undermined in others, many homes and properties have had flood damage, buried water services have been exposed, and the list goes on.
It is not because of new homes that there are drainage problems, they were in the plans long before I-80 was built, but rather that the engineering of the 1950’s and the cost cutting measures employed, did not, and do not meet reasonable drainage needs down the hillside.
Now that Caltrans has 63 million dollars worth of plans for this phase alone, those plans should correct previous problems and not perpetuate them using a blind eye.
Please support the Truckee residents in requiring proper review and engineering of the problems that Caltrans has created up hill at I-80, correcting drainage problems caused by the TDPUD service road, and correcting the sand and pollution of the creeks and Donner Lake.
I as Chairperson for Donner Lake Community Association as well as all the residents of Donner Lake will be watching closely, because as we all appreciate, the problems from I-80, ultimately dump into Donner Lake, one of the jewels of Truckee. Filtering only at I-80 while erosion continues downhill into the creeks and Donner Lake, is not fixing the problem.
Again, we appreciate your attention in this issue.
Respectfully submitted,
Emilie Kashtan, Donner Lake Resident
The Town of Truckee is having a big problem with their Paid Parking
District; see Sierra Sun article: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20060203/NEWS/60203001
The Town is also having a problem with disposal of ALL kinds of batteries;
Sierra Sun: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20060202/News/102020001
The TDPUD is raising our Rates for Electric and Water Service: Sierra Sun: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20060202/News/102020005
The USGS has a new site for Earthquak information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
from Charlie: Not too long after they chose the
new Beach Manager, they will probably be looking for employees for the
Beach.
Interesting article regarding the Donner Party: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/12/donner.party.ap/index.html
The other storm is brewing in the ranks of the Donner Lake Property
Owner's Association over the Beach Manager that ran things last year.
More on that issue at a later date.
I hope to have some more time tomorrow to put together some of the photos
I took in our area during the storms. I'll post it as soon as it's
ready for you. I even have some video footage that I hope to post.
...
...
Cooler temperatures should remind everyone to ALWAYS turn the water OFF in their units when they leave for any length of time -- even just a week. REMEMBER: start "winterizing" your units no later than October 15. Make sure all your Vents are closed off, all hoses disconnected and leave your heat on LOW by then as well. If you haven't installed a bear-resistant garbage enclosure, be sure you get it done soon -- we've noticed that the wood enclosures don't seem to last as long; also people are "using" their neighbor's enclosures.
Property Owners west of Maple Street on Conifer Drive may notice some
additional traffic the next few years; apparently the people who own the
property up behind the "F" Block are trying to develop that property; here
is what the Listing Remarks say: "New potential subdivision
for sale. Approx. 10 acres available consisting of three seperate parcels.
One parcel consists of 5 acres and the other two parcels consist of 2.5
acres. Several private wooded building sites available of which three homes
can be built. Access through newly planned and approved road that will
go through 15661 Conifer." Only $750,000!
By the way, the Town DOES have a "Noise Ordinance" but maybe it needs to be updated? http://www.townoftruckee.com/DCCh044.html
FYI: there's NO PARKING ALLOWED from Donner Pass Road to Summit Creek -- however, it's only marked/signed/enforced on the Lake side of South Shore Drive:
http://www.townoftruckee.com/pdfforms/TITLE10.pdf
~~~~~~
I dislike jet skis and speed boats and their noise and gas smell that hovers over the whole lake I dislike too many Canadian Geese I dislike traffic jams from too many summer (or winter) revelers I dislike the plethora of rules for our beach, including the locked gate before 8:00 a.m.
But I love Donner Lake and its stunning beauty its Mergansers and Ospreys and Bald Eagles its public piers and willing trout its endlessly varied and quirky cabins its irrascible residents its new water system
So all in all, I can easily put up with those dislikes, including the one-weekend's inconvenience of one of the country's oldest and most respected Triathlons. As someone with an tired old body, its great to get up early, watch the excitement and marvel at all those great specimens of the human race engaged in sport.
So, I say . . . long live the Triathlon and may we all find the strength to endure our personal discomforts when others occasionally enjoy our lake in ways that irritate us.
~~~~~~
Excuse Me about my weak comment, but you sound like a crab also. Do you also dislike 4th of July weekend? Why not let others enjoy Donner Lake as well. You sound like you own it. For God sakes, it's not a gated community!
This is so petty.
~~~~~~
Weak comment on your part.
I personally "hate" the annual triathlon because it closes down one of our nice summer weekends at Donner Lake. We only have about 13 of them. I learned years ago to kiss off the triathlon weekend, and stay home, because I don't like being told by some strangers on Saturday morning, that I can't drive to Safeway. And now it's Sunday morning also?
Is there some benefit to our area that I'm missing? What are we getting in exchange for us letting real fit folks shut down our roads?
~~~~~~
I agree with you. Donner Lake is a recreational area and why not have the Triathlon once a year. Is it that bad?
We should be able to live with a little inconvenience now and then for the good of the Recreational enthusiasts.
I had to walk on foot back to my cabin this last weekend after I ran an errand in the early morning hours on Saturday and was inconvenienced, but that was OK with me. We should focus on the "big picture." Donner Lake is a unique location. Moving the race to Nevada would be a joke to many! Any other location wouldn't be the same. If there is some other reasonable alternative to please the community, that should be heard - but canceling the triathlon after 24 years or moving the race to Nevada? Come on! We don't live in a perfect world and these type of events give our Donner Lake some character! We need to be human beings and have some "flexibility."
I have never heard anyone that I know of who "despised" the Donner Lake Triathlon!
What's next - a ban on the Trolley bus for getting in the way or fishing?
~~~~~~
Holly Cow - what a CRAB!!!
We have had our cabin at the west end of Donner Lake since 1960, every
year since the Triathlon has started this event interrupts our lives more
and more so, it should be moved to Nevada or a different time period so
as not to effect our lives so much. We pay taxes and should have the right
to be heard on this issue, although we never seem to be. What is the deal
of stopping folks from coming and going they never used to do this before.
If it has to be controlled like it was this year lets move it somewhere
else, a lot of us despised this event to no end for the way it effects
our lives. I work very hard during the week to keep my Cabin and pay my
taxes and for you folks to allow an event like this is a slap in the face
and I resent it very much and I'm not alone. I think the Triathlon should
be Eliminated! Thank You.
Donner Lake, 18-July-2005, by Charlie White:
Well the weekend certainly has been an eventful one.
1. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the 15 year old boy that jumped off a moving boat after a hat Saturday has not yet been located -- too sad for all involved. Many agencies have been involved with the search in addition to our local Truckee Police Department and Fire District (not verified): Sierra County Sheriff, Placer County Sheriff, El Dorado Sheriff, Yuba County Sheriff, and the California Highway Patrol and many many volunteers.
2. The 24th Annual Triathlon took over the West End of Donner Lake again, but they had made some revisions to the way they conducted some of their races and it has upset a LOT of people.
I was asked to prepare a Flyer to be left at the Donner Lake Property Owners’ Association Beach to let everyone know that there is a Town Council meeting THIS THURSDAY evening (MUST BE THERE BY 6 p.m.). Attached is what I prepared and just dropped off there, along with a map showing how to get to that Town Council meeting from the DLPOA Beach.
If you have concerns about the way the Triathlon was run and you can’t make it to the Town Council, you should send an e-mail (truckee@townoftruckee.com). Also, if you are up August 11, the Truckee Donner Recreation and Parks District will have their monthly meeting that night starting at 6 p.m.; without the use of this facility, the Triathlon could not take place at this end of the Lake.
There have been several thoughts given to me, so I’m passing them along so that you can add them to your list, or give your own “twist” to that thought (no particular order):
1.Eliminate future Triathlon
2.Schedule the Triathlon for the time of year that there is less impact – on, or after, Labor Day (water is still warm and there is considerably less people to be impacted)
3.Move the venue to the State Park (or Boca) – that way the people at Donner Lake still have two ways in/out of the Lake
4.Make sure that any future Permits include limits to the amount & timing of the noise (they call music) created – low volume and not start until 7:15 a.m.
5.Plans for this, or any other event, should first be circulated in the community that will be affected at least 60 days BEFORE a Permit is issued – including diagrams of the location of their facilities, etc.
6.Town of Truckee must initiate and enforce a Noise Ordinance
7.What
are your thoughts?
Donner Lake,
11-July-2005, by Charlie White:
Following is a link to the proposed DLPOA
Beach Redesign and Management Planprepared
by Nicole Pastre, from UC - Davis: http://www.donner-lake.com/DLPOA-B.pdf.
And Milan Wight's Trail proposal: http://www.donner-lake.com/Milan05.pdf
BOTH Reports may take a LONG TIME TO Open -- please be patient.
Today I attended a presentation by Gene
Welch from the Truckee Fire Protection
District regarding "Defensible Space" in our area; just e-mail, or
call (582-7850)
Gene and he will be happy to give a presentation to any group who would
like to learn about this very important issue. There are several
pieces of information available from Truckee Fire. They have an EXCELLENT
VCR/DVD regarding Defensible Space -- this can soon be checked out at our
local Video Rental stores. I hope to have a copy available soon to
also be checked out. Gene also let us know that they will be passing
an Ordinance as well as asking the Town, Placer & Nevada Counties, requiring
owners of vacant lots to make sure that their lots have a defensible
space within 30' of any structure.
1. The Town of Truckee will begin their Slurry Seal project at Donner Lake on JULY 6. Click here for a list of dates for each road -- subject to weather and other problems of course.
2. Donner Lake FRONT Owners are asked, by the Town of Truckee Police Department, to put their Street Numbers on the lake side of their Boat Docks -- their request is to make it easier/quicker for their personnel to respond to any problems that might be phoned in. If you report someone violating the "Rules of the Lake", or a navigational hazard, etc. it will help them if you can give them your street address. Unfortunately, this will also help the Code Enforcement Division to keep better track of what's happening with piers as well.....
3. The Town Council failed to let the TDPUD proceed with their Water Tank Project up on Donner Lake Road, they want more information, including flying balloons tomorrow (Friday, 6/24/05) at 10 a.m. on the two proposed sites. The balloons won't be up long, so if you're interested in checking that out, drive by about that time. It would really be a good idea to send a quick note to the Town Council urging that they approve the proposed TDPUD plan ASAP so that our costs will not increase AND maybe the tank will be installed before Fall, when we are most-vulnerable to Fires! On another Note, the TDPUD still plans to switch us over to their "Well System" by the end of June -- we will no long receive those quarterly Notices that were required by the State saying that our water isn't up-to-code (even though all tests have come up negative) AND our coffee will begin to taste better because there won't be so much chlorine in the water! THANK YOU TDPUD!
4. Believe it or not, I received a call this morning from a long-time property owner asking which night the Fireworks will be -- it's ALWAYS on the 4th! Don't forget to watch the 4th of July Parade -- 'starts around 10 a.m. and the Boy Scouts have a Pancake Breakfast at the Gateway Fire Station, beginning about 8:30 that morning -- great breakfast and really helps the Boy Scouts in our area.
5. It looked like a Commercial was being filmed on Donner Lake this morning -- several ski boats were on the water in different positions and driving down the lake.
'have a fun and SAFE summer!
Update on the TDPUD attempt to install a new water tank:
At the TDPUD meeting on 8-June, there was a hearing regarding the EIR/EIS
for the location just off Donner Lake Road below the East-Bound On Ramp
for I-80 which belongs to the Town of Truckee.
The property owners next door want the tanks moved to part of their
property but the TDPUD has already done all their engineering and cost
estimates using the Town's property.
At the June 16 Town Council meeting, the Agenda had:
"Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) Water Tank on Donner
Lake Road.
Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff to request additional
information from the TDPUD necessary to issue an encroachment permit for
the installation of a water tank in the Town right-of-way along Donner
Lake Road."
The Council listened to the presentations, but were unable to make a decision and asked the TDPUD to provide them with more information and to "float balloons" on the two potential sites to simulate the visual aspects to the tank. There are many reasons why there should be no change of sites and certainly NO more LOSS OF TIME because of: 1. our short building season -- contracts must go out to bid ASAP so as to get the project done before next winter; 2. costs could go up dramatically if the project is delayed until next year; 3. the TDPUD may lose their low-interest rate State Revolving Funds Loan. All these could INCREASE the Bond that the property owners at Donner Lake are paying -- what about the people who paid off their Bond already, will they have to be billed for more after-the-fact?
Stay tuned!
2. There will be a Professional Bike Race in Truckee on Thursday and Friday, June 16 & 17: http://www.tourdenez.com
3. The Dam, in the State Park, will be undergoing some remodeling this summer to make it safer (not be prone to washing out during a large storm event). There will be no crossing of the Dam during their construction -- lasts into August.
Sierra SUN reports that the
Museum will NOT be built where originally proposed in the State Park: http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20050603/NEWS/50602008
Don't forget, we need help with cleaning Truckee (Donner Lake) streets this coming Saturday, June 4; please join me at the Donner LakeFire Station, between 8 & 9 a.m. and pick up your Orange Trash Bags, T-Shirts (as supply last) and BBQ Tickets.
We saw our first Yellow Jacket Hornet this week, so it's time to put up those traps as well and make sure your screens are in good shape.
If you see standing water around, try to find a way to drain it as soon as possible because we are very concerned about mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm) in our area this summer.
Finally, we've also spotted the "West End Bear". Remember, DO
NOT
FEED ANY WILD ANIMALS and put your trash in a bear-resistant
bin, or TAKE IT HOME with you! If you see a bear,
DO
NOT call the Town of Truckee -- call: The
Bear League (530-525-7297); check out their web page:
http://www.savebears.org/ and be sure that you, your family, AND guests,
know what to do when you see these creatures.
We haven't heard the results of the water quality surveys that were done Saturday on the Truckee River and Donner Lake; we'll let you know the results as they become available.
The Lake in now back down to it's normal level; if you want to see how it looked during the storms: http://www.donnerlakerealty.biz/hiwater.htm It was soooo nice to see the SUN again!
Dates to remember:
June 4 -- Truckee (Clean the Streets) Day;
pick up trash on streets and get a free T-Shirt & BBQ Lunch; meet me
at the Donner Lake Fire Station between 8 & 9 a.m. that morning for
more information: http://www.donner-lake.com/current.htm#TRKDAY
June 11 -- free airplane rides for kids 8
through 17 at the Truckee Tahoe Airport; see Charlie for more information,
before June 10
June 18 -- "Fire Safety (Pine Needle) Day"
7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
June 25, 26 -- Dumpster Days: for DLPOA
members ONLY
July 4 -- Fireworksat
West End Beach ~ 9 p.m.
July 9 -- free airplane rides for kids 8
through 17 at the Truckee Tahoe Airport; see Charlie for more information,
before July 8
July 16 & 17 -- Triathlon
After lengthy discussion between the Board and members of the public, the following was passed: TDRPD will not pursue the Ordinance at this time; that they will watch to see how well the Police and DLCA can control the use of the piers, until October, when they will re-visit the issue to see if they still need to change their Ordinance. Stay tuned for furter developments and to see how you can help.
The Board was also asked if they could talk to the promoters of the Donner Lake Triathlon to see if this event could be re-scheduled to the later part of August in future years where there is less conflict with other local events and activities. They said that they would talk to the promoters, but that the Town also needs to get on board with that concept.
Please contact Charle (587-4811) if you would like to help with "Truckee
Day" and clean up the streets of Donner Lake
on June 4. Volunteers will receive a free T-Shirt (as supplies
last) and a ticket to the free BBQ Lunch at Regional Park. For more
information: http://www.townoftruckee.com/pdfforms/Truckee%20Day.pdf.
MUSEUM:
Apparently the State has decided to pull back on their plan to plow
through with their proposal for a new Museum at the State Park. They
will be conducting additional meetings in Truckee, with the Town and local
citizens in an effort to gain a more-acceptable solution -- in other words,
they
are trying to avoid a WAR that was about to be declared against
them. There may be additional information offered at tonight's Town
Council Meeting.
~~~~~
Donner Lake Public Piers:
Even though a Sub-Committee of the TDRPD Board met (see: 4-30-05 message
below) and came up with some suggestions, there is no reason to expect
that the rest of the Board will agree to follow any of those suggestions
-- if you have an opinion/concern regarding the Public Piers, you should
make every effort to attend their Board Meeting:
May 12, at 6 PM, at the downtown Community Center on 10046 Church
Street and BE ON TIME.
~~~~~
Truckee Day Information
• June 4, check-in 8–9 a.m.
• Call 582-7700
TRUCKEE DAY VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTIONS
Here’s a bit about what volunteers need to know about Truckee Day.
Call 582-7700 for more information.
• Location of their check-in station: street address, cross-street,
landmarks, etc. {Donner
Lake: Custom Interiors at the corner of Donner
Pass Road and Olympic Drive for the EAST End of Donner
Lake and the Fire Station for the West and
South}
• Time to show up: Saturday, June 4, 8–9 a.m.
• What to expect: Volunteers will sign a waiver, get T-shirt and bags,
and be assigned a stretch of road within their neighborhood. They may have
to drive to their specific stretch of road. Morning drinks available at
check-in station.
• What to bring/wear:
1. long sleeve pants and shirt (bright colors recommended)
2. sunglasses
3. hat
4. sunscreen
5. gloves
6. sturdy shoes or boots
• What to pick up: Roadside trash only. Anything larger can
be placed by the side of the road with a bag attached for visibility. Please
place mangled snow-poles (town-owned) next to full bags and they will be
recycled. Do not trespass on private property!
• How long it will last: As long as they can stand it or until their
stretch of road is done, whichever comes first. One hour to three, depending
on how much energy the volunteer has.
• Who to bring: The whole family is welcome. All adults will sign waivers
for themselves and children in their care. No children will be allowed
to be dropped off; they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• What to do that day: Go to the block party, scheduled for
noon at Truckee River Regional Park. Live music, barbecue, and the event
and food are free to Truckee Day volunteers.
~~~~~
Kids Fly FREE:
Free local airplane rides are offered by the Truckee
Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA),
starting this Saturday. Kids must be 8 years through 17 years of
age to participate in this "Young
Eagles Program". Flights will be offered: May 14, June
11, July 9 and August 13; for more information and to make a Reservation,
please call me at 587-4811, or e-mail: TRKYoungEagles@Yahoo.com.
This year's Flyer
Attendees: TDRPD Board member and Chair, Janet Brady, Steve Randall, Manager of the TDPRD, Board Member Marshall Lewis, Police Officer/representative Russell Walsh, and 14 members of the public.
Time: 6-8pm, April 29, 2005 at the community Center.
After lengthly discussion examing many various issues, the following was decided upon.
1. Problems of pier misuse appear to be isolated and minimal,
and have been historically rectified using the existing ordinance without
further incident.
2. Maximizing police resources and public funds for higher priority
enforcement issues was paramount.
3. A Motion was put on the table, seconded, discussed, and voted on,
and passed unamously by those present, and then the meeting was concluded.
That Motion includes:
PLAN OF ACTION: Dovetailing the Police's Lake Monitoring program with a Neighbohood Watch and Partnership Program, using an educational tool that would be distributed to the public at the points of lake use/entry/access, while using the current enforcement methods that have historically been completely successful at the rare times that they have been required was voted and passed by an overwhelming majority of those present.
1. A Strategic Committee, called "The Donner Lake Community Association",
has begun to form, with representation to include the business sector,
associations, oversight agencies, environmental groups, and property
owners on Donner Lake and Truckee, that have an interest in Donner
Lake and the surrounding basin. This committee will begin to review the
variouss issues currently facing the lake as well as issues that confront
this community in the furure.
2. The Neighborhood Watch and Police Partnership Program encourages any property owner seeing obvious abuse of the piers, lake, or roadway, by boats, fisherman, swimmers, visitors, or any other user of the lake and it's surroundings, to call the Police Department at 5502323 between 8-5 Mon-Fri or 5502320 after 5 and on weekends. The Police Department partnership will respond, review the situation and take appropriate action as currently covered under the existing Town ordinance.
3. A flyer, identifying boat/lake use and traffic regulations will be designed, reviewed to all interested and distributed. The notice will be given to The Donner Lake Property Owners Association, Tahoe Donner Homeowners Association, Donner Lake Villiage, Lock Leven Lodge, and Donner Lake rentals, to be districuted to members/clients. The flyer will given to all applicable groups with launch facilities to be posted/distributed.
GOAL:
1. Educate the public and make Donner Lake a pleasant point of
recreation for Donner Lake Residents, Town residents and the visiting public.
2. Have a strong oversite committee within the Donner Lake Basin
to review issues of concern, identify intervention, and implement appropriate
intervention.
3. Make all public piers available to the public within reason
of the parking and space capacity to ensure safety.
4. Decrease any isolated monopoly of piers by boat use.
5. Implement an effective mechanism for enforcement that actually
can be employed, educates the public, and uses resources and tax payers
dollers effectively.
FLYER:
Town of Truckee Police and Neighborhood Watch Partnership
1. Boating rules
2. Traffic rules
3. Use of Lake
4. Pick up your litter/Garbage containment.
CEQANSC <CEQANSC@parks.ca.gov> wrote:Thank you for your interest
in this project. We are experiencing technical difficulties today, but
will forward the project's mitigation plan to you when we are able. In
the meantime, you may view the entire Final Environmental Impact Report
on the Department's website (5
pieces under the Nevada County heading) at this address:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=981 {{The State removed any reference to this project from this web site}} 5-3-05
If you would like to be informed of further analysis (including the
National Environmental Policy Act review process) and decisions
regarding this project, please provide an address for our list of interested
parties; thanks.
Additionally, the State of California's Division of Safety & Dams
has ordered the dam in the State Park to be improved with two new "spillways".
Construction is scheduled to commence in July and could take the rest of
the summer to complete. While this will NOT affect the level of Donner
Lake during this construction, they will be accessing the dam from
inside the Park AND off Donner Pass Road, next to Tahoe Donner's
Beach -- this will show everyone how impractical the proposed entrance
to the new Museum would be!
Full article from the Sierra Sun: http://www.sierrasun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200550421005
Spending, borrowing on PUD agenda
At their regularly scheduled board meeting tonight, the
Truckee Donner Public Utility District board will discuss and likely vote
on whether to make the Donner Lake assessment district pay for the replacement
of a section of 32-year-old water pipe along Richards Blvd.
http://www.sierrasun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200550420004
Should Donner Lake property owners pay for
repair of a facility that has been accepted by them and used all this time
-- that is NOT what our Assessment was supposed to be used for!
Donner Lake Neighbors, Donner Lake Pier update:
In a nutshell, the ordinance will be voted on May 12, at 6 PM, at the next Rec Board Meeting at the downtown Community Center at 10046 Church Street. In the mean time, a subcommittee, will meet to identify viable alternatives. The ordinance will then be sent to the Police Department for review and to draft something to submit to the Town Council, ASAP.
Following my "longer version", is the proposed ordinance.
***************
I attended the meeting with 25 letters of opposition to the proposed
Amendment restricting pier use. Tim Calvert and Melissa Garrison, a couple
who live across from pier #26, initiated this problem and are the only
known people that have complained about boat use on the piers. Calvert
and Garrison both presented and identified rampant misuse of the docks
that were being taken over by second homeowners who all felt that they
owned the piers. This was much like their "Letter to the Editor". No specific
examples
were provided.
There is no public file at the District or Police Department regarding any type of pier complaints going back many years.
Board members Peter Werbel, Joe Burns and especially Kevin McCall all were in favor of adopting the new ordinance on the spot. Mr. McCall, stated, "I am tired of those privileged Donner Lake residents feeling like they are entitled to private use of the piers." He also stated that in his opinion, "when a boat is tied up to a pier, it sends the signal that the public can't use the pier." A non involved gentleman behind me then asked the question, "Aren't Donner Lake residents also considered the public"?. There was no response from the Board.
This was the height of what I would call a small town meeting at it's worst.
After some discussion between these board members and the Calverts, I was allowed to give my 3 minute comment and I submitted the 25 letters. All were ignored. I requested that a subcommittee be composed to review the data and ordinance and see if any viable alternatives might be suggested. Janet Brady, a Board member and resident of Donner Lake supported my suggestion and volunteered to chair that committee. The other three board members gave us less than a month to meet and bring our suggestions to the next monthly meeting, where at that time, the ordinance would be adopted. The Calverts are expected to attend the subcommittee.
At this point, once the District approves the ordinance, they must submit it to the Police Department. Normally, they would draft a similar ordinance that would be submitted to the Town Council for approval.
I met with Police Chief Berry today for over an hour. He is opposed to this ordinance and especially in ticketing boats under cover of darkness. His position in traffic enforcement and other issues has been largely to educate the public. He seems sensitive to boat and recreational use of the piers as long as they are not abused. He has seen no abuse to date. He has promised to attend the Sub committee on my request.
The subcommittee will meet April 29 at 6 PM at the Community Center downtown at 10046 Church Street.
The next Board meeting is May 12 at 6 PM at the community Center.
I would heavily encourage all interested Donner Lake property owners to plan to attend the May 12 meeting and voice your concerns as a matter of record, as this will lend credibility to the opposition of this ordinance and give guidance to Chief Berry when he considers his reply and recommendation to the Town.
The minutes of the previous District meeting identify no comment from the public when the ordinance was brought up, discussed and approved. That is largely due to the complete lack of notice to the public. Funny how things work around a small town.
What a night!
AMENDMENT #4 TO ORDINANCE #3
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHSING RULES AND
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF
FACILITIES OF THE TRUCKEE DONNER
RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on September 23, 1971, the Board of Directors of the Truckee
Donner
Recreation and Park District adopted an ordinance establishing rules
and
regulations governing the use of facilties of the Truckee Donner Recreation
and Park District;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Recreation and
Park
District desire to amend Section 18 of said rules and regulations referring
to the length of time boats are allowed to tie up to District facilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Recreation
and
Park District do hereby ordain and establish the following amendment
to said
ordinance:
Section 18 is amended as follows:
18. BOATS: It shall be unlawful for any person to dock, moor, or
attach by
any means, a vessel of any type to any pier, wharf, any structure,
or any
combination of the aforementioned facilities which may fall under
the
jurisdiction of the District, for an overnight period. All piers
and
structures are day use only. Boats and vessels may tie up from 5:00AM
to
10:00 P.m. only.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This amendment to Ordinance #3 shall take effect thirty
(30)
days after its final passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at the regular meeting of the Boartd of Directors
of the
Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District duly called and held in
said
District on the 14th day of April, 2005, by the following roll call
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
CalTrans is circulating an "Initial Study with Proposed Negative Declaration" for: Donner Lake Interchange (DLI) Sand and Salt House Facility. I haven't read it all yet, but it has a deadline for comments: April 15, 2005. For a copy, go to: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments/envinternet/donnerlake/donner.htm
Since it's "Tax Time" you might be interested in what the IRS has to
say about Second Homes:
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw204.html
Apparently no one from Donner Lake attended the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District meeting last week; the only feedback I have is from the General Manager, Steve Randall: "The following was passed at the Board Meeting. Public Piers will be for day use only and boat tie ups will be allowed from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. It takes 60 days for this to go into effect and two readings. It will be on the next board agenda which will be Thursday, April 14 at the community center at 6:00 pm."
Ride the Train to Truckee? Check out this article in the Sierra
Sun:
http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20050315/NEWS/50315006
The School District "Measure A" passed, so your Tax Bills will reflect an increase.
"Clean Truckee Streets Day" is June 4, 2005. Last year, many TONS of trash was removed all over Town. Volunteers will be needed again. If you want to help, give me a call, or call the Town of Truckee.
The Comment Period for the "High Sierra Crossing Museum" (see below) has been extended to March 22; more info: http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20050309/NEWS/50309003
Members of the Donner Lake Property Owner's
Association need to get their 2005 Dues in before April 1.
Thanks Charlie.
The State did agree to extend the comment
period by 15 days, and it sounds like they are meeting internally to discuss
methods to try to keep Truckee residents happy.
Dan W.
Of interest to Donner Lake Owners/Residents:
1. The Council took testimony
regarding the "High Sierra Crossings Museum" E.I.R. (see 2-FEB-2005, below
and Agenda Item: http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/tcstaff92.pdf).
Many people said that they didn't want the new museum where it is proposed
to be erected -- for environmental reasons. The representative from
the Park reminded everyone that it was illegal to run their dogs free on
the State Park Property and the beaches in particular. He also said
that the project didn't affect the State's budget because the funds for
this project were coming from Bonds and other sources that had previously
been earmarked for this project. Although the State really doesn't
need to abide by anything the Town says, he did say that it was their intention
to blend in as much as possible and be a good neighbor. In my opinion,
there is no better place to have this new facility; I just object to the
need for a second entrance to get there. Anyway, the Town's Staff
had prepared a pretty benign letter to the State for the EIR, but the Council
added some more concerns that they wanted to be sure the State heard.
2. The Staff asked for
the "Woodstove Ordinance" (Agenda Item: http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/tcstaff91.pdf)
to be changed because the Town hadn't been able to spend any time on figuring
out how they would/could enforce the mandatory removal of non approved
wood burning devices next year. The "point-of-sale" provision was
extended an additional 6 months (set to expire April 30, 2005) and the
Council will reconsider the "date-certain" provision at a later date when
they review all the Town Priorities list.
3. The last item had to
do with the proposed "West Reed Avenue Road Assessment" (Agenda Item: http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/tcstaff93.pdf).
After much debate, the Council decided that they would not
use any more Town moneys until the affected Property Owners came up with
$50,000; then, they would talk again about what can be done. Nonetheless,
the Town re-affirmed their intent to address the run-off from Donner LAKE
Road that finds its way to/through Reed Avenue West. Of interest,
only a "Simple Majority" is needed of those who vote for/against the formation
of an Assessment District.
ATTENTION Boaters who use the Public Boat Docks along Donner Pass Road; the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District will be considering NOT ALLOWING ANY BOATS TO BE TIED UP TO THEIR PIERS OVER-NIGHT. They will be discussing this item at their March 10 meeting (see Public Notice: http://www.donner-lake.com/Piers.pdf).
The Deadline for comments to the new Museum EIR (see below) is just
days
away; please submit your comments as soon as possible!
I gave testimony at their Public Hearing for the plan last year and I have submitted my comments in writing as required; I object to their installing a NEW ACCESS to this building. I am NOT AGAINST the project as a whole, but only for their proposed new access. As I said before (below on this page 14-OCT-2004), there is NO NEED for a second Entrance to this facility. They site that there is a need because of "some confusion during busy days" with people looking for the Museum and those trying to get to the Campground -- that is an INTERNAL PROBLEM and they need to figure it out ON THEIR LAND as originally proposed. To put another Entrance off Donner Pass Road, especially next to the Tahoe Donner Beach will impact considerably MORE people than will be affected by utilizing the proposed access through the current Entrance. They have been unable to document a problem ON DONNER PASS ROAD due to the traffic entering/exiting the Park; therefore, there is no crying need for yet another Entrance in that area.
I call on everyone reading this to PLEASE write at least a quick note with your opposition to their proposed New Entrance to this museum:
Susan E. Wilcox
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Northern Service Center
One Capital Mall, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-8933
FAX: (916) 445-9100
swilcox@parks.ca.gov
Copy of Legal Notice
Many problems can be related to trees being too close to the dwellings and/or in a bad spot. When trees are adjacent to a roof and in a point that they restrict the snow from sliding off the roof, then the snow buildup can actually push against the dwelling to the point that doors don't open properly, or worse. Yes, the trees bend a little, but the snow piled up against the other side of the tree restricts that motion as well. You might want to consider removing some of the trees around your property -- it will be a good idea anyway to reduce your exposure to a fire!
The Lake is almost frozen over, so before you
venture out onto the ice, you might want to watch this video:
http://www.exn.ca/video/?Video=exn20020325-icewater.asx
Interesting article in the Sierra Sun: http://ss.us.publicus.com/article/20050113/Opinion/101130007
Hello Charlie,
You're right, this is certainly NOT TRUE. The
lake will only drop
approximately another 2.4 feet or so by Friday
September 17th. The lake
is already down 2.25 feet from full right
now. Including the releases
I'm making right now, the total drop from
full should be right around
4.6 feet by the 17th of September. We'll cut
back to minimum releases
after that. As you know, this happens every
year around this time, and
is basically standard operating procedure.
We did start releasing a few
days earlier this year however.
This person is completely misinformed. Maybe
in the future they could
call you first before sending out mass e-mails
based upon rumor.
Thanks,
Bill Hauck
Senior Water Supply Coordinator
Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Funding for the Mousehole project has taken a step forward. The
following link is to the Sierra Sun article by David Bunker, “Mousehole
money in Congress”.
http://www.sierrasun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040831/News/108310003
How you can help.
The U.S. Senate version of the TEA-LU Federal Highway Funding Bill
currently does not include the appropriation for this project.
To encourage U.S. Senators Boxes and Feinstein to support the inclusion of the $3-million appropriation for the Highway-89 Railroad undercrossing "The Mousehole" in the TEA-LU Federal Highway Fund Bill email U.S. Senators:
Senator Boxer http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Senator Feinstein http://www.senate.gov/~feinstein/email.html
Also, the Bears are becoming a bit more aggressive in our area.
Numerous wooden Trash Enclosures are being attacked. Also you should
NOT leave any doors or windows open, even while you are in your cabin --
a bear, on the south side of the Lake walked right into a cabin and went
straight for the refrigerator while someone was near by inside the cabin.
Another (?) bear knocked on the door of a cabin on the north side of Donner
and when the people opened the door, he almost went inside, but they were
able to close & lock the door. Hint: so far as we know, bears
do not like Moth Balls -- put some in with your garbage.
I also added a photo of the burned cabin, below.
Click to enlarge.
Mice have invaded many cabins this year -- anyone have stock in Decon?
Installation of the connector water mains by the T.D.P.U.D. is continuing along the east end of Donner Pass Road is continuing today.
It's OFFICIAL, Truckee has been awarded the "Best Town Spirit Award"
from The Great Race Contestants
that over-nighted on July 1 and will receive $10,000 for the Truckee Library.
If you were unable to see these neat vehicles; you can go to the following
link to see some of them: http://www.donnerlakerealty.biz/GreatRace.htm.