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Washoe Meadows Community

 
This fen in Washoe Meadows, home to rare species, started forming around the last Ice Age. Scientists assert that expanding the golf course to the park could alter the underground springs that are the source of the fens. State Parks and the American Golf Corporation, which is lobbying to build the golf course, disagree.
Krissi Russell arrived at the Oct 20 tour the State Parks Department led for State Parks Commissioners of the river and golf course relocation project. This “official” tour restricted Commissioners’ access to the areas of Washoe Meadows State Park that would be destroyed by relocating the golf course. Washoe Meadows Community leaders and Defense of Place offered the Commissioners a tour of Washoe Meadows, but our official request was denied.
Dr. Jerry Qualls, an internationally known fens expert from the University of Nevada-Reno (center), points out the potential impacts of the golf course on the park’s ecology, including herbicides and fertilizers seeping into the groundwater, and lowering water levels.

Setting a shameful precedent, California State Parks Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of extending a golf course into Washoe Meadows State Park. In order to make the Lake Tahoe Golf Course development legally possible, the Commissioners downgraded Washoe Meadows from a state park to a recreation area.

Lobbied by business interests and a State Parks department that value profits over environmental and park protections, the Commissioners bent to the will of the golf course’s current concessionaire -- the American Golf Corporation, the largest owner and manager of golf courses in the world. American Golf is owned by Goldman Sachs.

We have filed a lawsuit to protect Washoe Meadows. A meeting will be held with State Parks prior to the next next round of hearings with the TRPA. Click here to see a copy of the Press Release.
 

The Washoe Meadows Community believes the river can be restored, the park can be preserved, and golf can continue in the state recreation area on the east side of the river. 


The Washoe Meadows Community needs your help.

 


TAKE ACTION
Write to the Decision makers. Attend the Hearings.
Tell state officials that you believe Washoe Meadows State Park and all state parks should be protected, not developed. Insist that they approve Alternative 3 in the Washoe Meadows EIS, or  another alternative which would reconfigure the golf course where it is now; on the east side of the upper Truckee River. This solution will allow river restoration and help meet goals to improve water quality in Lake Tahoe, without sacrificing the ecological, recreational, and cultural values of Washoe Meadows State Park. (10 Reasons to Protect Washoe Meadows)

 

DONATE
Help us defend Washoe Meadows
To make an online donation Click Here and follow the prompts.
or:
Please send your tax-deductible contributions to:
Resource Renewal Institute
187 East Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(Write Washoe Meadows in the memo line)


CONNECT
Receive Updates and Email Alerts by joining our email list


JOIN
Add your Name to those supporting Washoe Meadows by sending a email to WashoeMeadowsinfo@yahoo.com

 

 

Action Needed! The TRPA approval is the next step in this process. Make your views known by writing to the TRPA.
Click here for more information.

A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT--SPECIAL INTERESTS BEFORE PARKS

 

The State Parks commision is meeting on Jan 27 th in Brentwood, CA to "reconsider" their decision.

The TRPA review  has been delayed. The FEIR will be considered by the TRPA at a future date.

We will keep you posted when the date for the review has been defined


LETTER WRITING TIPS

 

WHERE to send letters


10 REASONS to protect
Washoe Meadows


Spread the Word:
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Self-guided tour of the golf holes (tees, fairways, and greens) proposed in Alternative 2.


Download a summary of the project and its issues.