HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 Donner Lake Tank CEQA Agenda Item #
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Ed Taylor, Water Utility Manager
Date: June 30, 2005
Date of Board Meeting: July 6, 2005
Subject: Donner Lake Tank CEQA
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
The District is proposing to construct a new water tank at a site on Donner Lake Road. Prior to
starting construction activities, the District is required to complete an environmental review of the
Proposed site in compliance with CEQA.
2. HISTORY
The District's Donner Lake Improvement Plan, adopted in 2000, identified various projects to
rehabilitate the existing failing system. The proposed Donner Lake Road Tank constitutes one of the
improvements necessary to complete the rehabilitation of the Donner Lake system. At the June 8,
2005 Public Hear Al Farrantine proposed an alternative site for the Donner Lake Road Tank. This
alternative site is not part of nor was it considered for evaluation under the CEQA evaluation
conducted. In 2004 the District and the Town both adopted an agreement for the District to utilizes
the Towns Right of way for a water tank site. Prior to the CEQA review, District staff evaluated tank
sites in this area with regarding constructability, minimizing soil disturbance and tree removal. The
District's proposed tank site has the least impact on the area.
3. NEW INFORMATION
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A draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study for the Donner Lake Road
Tank was prepared and circulated to responsible and interested agencies as well as to the State
Clearinghouse and the Nevada County Clerk. The District held a public hearing regarding the
adoption of the proposed negative declaration on June 8 &22, 2005. The public and clearinghouse
review periods are now closed.
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Comments were received from the public at the public hearing.A letter was received from the Town e
of Truckee. The Town of Truckee requested additional information on visual impacts on the District's
•Page 1
site and the alternative proposed site. That additional information is attached. The alternative tank
site is not part of the District's CEQA process and is not part of any actions proposed by District staff.
The additional review that staff conducted for the Town verifies that the site the District proposed is
the best site to construct the water storage tank. Any change of tank site will require a new
engineering and environmental review process, which will delay the construction of the tank until the
summer of 200&
Along with this memo are the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration, Notice of Determination,
Comments and Responses, and Mitigation Monitoring Plan. Filing the Notice of Determination with
the State Clearinghouse and Nevada County Clerk completes the CEQA process for the project.
4. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the Board take the following actions regarding the environmental review for the Donner
Lake Road Tank:
1. Adopt the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration
2. Approve the project for purposes of CEQA.
1 Approve the Mitigated Monitoring Plan.
4. Authorize the filing of the Notice of Determination with the Office of the Nevada County Clerk
and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
5. Adopt the De Minimis Impact Finding and authorize the filing of the Certificate of Fee
Exemption with the Nevada County Clerk.
& Adopt a finding that the draft documents as circulated and the negative declaration reflect the
District's independent judgement.
Attachments:
Notice of Determination
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration
Comments and Responses
Mitigation Monitoring Plan
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District
Joseph R, Apera
J. Ron Clem,,
Patricia S, Sntton
I im
Bill Thomason
General '44ttna,�er
.Peter E.. i"lo[zraeister
June 30, 2005
Mr. Tony Lashbrook
Town of Truckee Manager
10183 Truckee Airport Road
Truckee, CA 96161-3306
SUBJECT: Donner Lake Road Water Storage Tank
Dear Mr. Lashbrook:
Thank you for your letter of June 6, 2005 incorporating the Town of Truckee's comments
on the Truckee Donner Public Utility District's (District) Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration for the Donner Lake Road Water Storage Tank Project. Public
meetings regarding the project have been held on June 1 and June 15 at District
headquarters and on June 16 at the Town's Council Meeting. Oral and written comments
made at the public meetings included potential significant impacts to visual, hydrological,
and biological resources.
Scenic Resources and Visual Impacts
Visual simulations were performed by the District on June 24, 2005. Each of the
Proposed tank sites were delineated with balloons (See Photo I). Both the District's
Preferred tank site and an alternative site to the east were then graphically enhanced with
water storage tanks in order to obtain a visual comparison between the two sites. Photo 2
depicts the water tanks looking south from I-80. Photos 3 and 4 depict the tanks sites and
access road from Donner Lake Road looking southeast. Photos 5 and 6 depict the two
Proposed tank sites from Donner Lake Road looking northwest. Photo 6 also simulates
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the District's preferred site after implementation of a revegetation plan.
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P.O.Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org 1
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Alternative District's proposed
piopos¢d Yank site . ,
tank site
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Photo i:view a£tlie balloon visual simulation Looking south from Interstate'84.
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Alternative proposed District's proposed tank'tank siteF
site
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Photo 2. View of both proposed tank sites looking south from Interstate 80.
P.O. Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org
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District's proposed tank
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Alternative proposed
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Photos 3 and 4. View of both proposed tank sites from Donner Lake Road looking
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P.O.Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—",,.tdpud.org
Alternative proposed
District's"proposed tank site tank site.A number of
1 mature trees will need to
si be removed in order to
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Photo 5. View of both proposed tank sites from Donner Lake Road looking west.
District's proposed tank site
after five years of coniferous
Alternative proposed
revegetation
- tank site
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Photo 6. View of both proposed tank sites from Donner Lake Road looking west after
implementation of a revegetation plan at the District's tank site.
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P.O.Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org
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It is the District's opinion that the alternative tank site does not have any significant
benefit to visual resources but has a significant impact on biological resources doe to the
need to remove six large trees. From an engineering, biological and economic standpoint
the adjacent property has more disadvantages than advantages including increased
excavation for cut and fills, tree removal and additional expense for Donner Lake water
customers.
Hydrology and Drainage
The District is committed to ensuring that its activities do not impair water quality or
beneficial uses of waters of the state. The District continues to work closely with the
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) to ensure its activities
improve water quality over existing conditions.
The existing hydrology at the proposed Donner Lake Road tank site originates from a
combination of road runoff and natural seepage altered by the construction of Interstate
80 that has created an artificial channel. The current runoff from the site is contributing to
poor water quality flowing into Donner Lake. There is a significant amount of road
surface sand that has been deposited on the site (greater than 12-inches deep) along with
roadside pollutants from vehicle traffic that also flows off site and down Donner Lake
Road.
Construction of the proposed water storage tank will improve water quality conditions by
redirecting road runoff from I-80 east of the proposed tank location into a new
meandering drainage channel with detention basins constructed in an upland area. The
Proposed new channel will increase the surface area available for runoff infiltration
greater than three times the amount of surface area currently existing at the site. Two
detention basins will also be located along the channel to slow water velocity and
increase infiltration rates. Remaining seepage originating west of the proposed tank will
be captured within a swale created along the south side of a new paved access road and
directed into a detention basin located on the project site. The District has been
coordinating the Donner Lake Road water storage tank with Mr. Scott Ferguson, Chief,
Northern Watershed Unit, LRWQCB who has been provided with a complete
photographic record of the existing and proposed changes to drainage from the site. The
District also conducted a site visit with California Department of Fish and Game(CDFG)
Warden Veda Camacho on June 24, 2005. Warden Camacho advised the District to
notify the Streambed Alteration Division to allow CDFG to make a determination as to
whether a streambed agreement will be required for the project. The District is keenly i
aware of the need to implement conveyance of runoff in a manner that does not fi
cumulatively contribute to existing water quality impacts in Donner Lake and the
Truckee River.
Biological Resources
Comments were received at public hearings that biological resources including plants and i
mammals would be significantly impacted at the proposed tank site. Specifically,
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P.O.Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org
comment was raised about the potential for a threatened species of moss on the project
site. The moss, which is visible along the northeast shoulder of Donner Lake Road, is the
common species of moss (Philanotis fontana) and is not the rare moss species (Bruchia
bolanderi) that is a California Native Plant Society List 2 species.
The District Engineer, Neil Kaufman, and Inland Ecosystems consultant, Glenn Merron,
visited the site on June 8, 2005 with John Eaton, Executive Director of the Mountain
Area Preservation Foundation, The District Engineer explained the modified project to
Mr. Eaton and understood that based on the project redesign no significant impact to
migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) routes would occur. The District fully
realizes that during the course of the construction period limited short-term interference
to mule deer movement may occur, however not to such a degree that it would be
considered a significant impact. Once the tank is built there would be minimal
disturbance to deer migrating through the area and only when periodic tank maintenance
is required. Therefore, it is not likely that construction of the water tank and access road
would have an adverse long-term impact on mule deer populations in the area.
The District would like to take this opportunity to explain how the proposed Donner Lake
Road tank site location was chosen as an alternate site to avoid water quality impacts
from potential project sites in sensitive wetland and wildlife habitat around Donner Lake.
The proposed water storage tank will replace existing water storage tanks at the Red
Mountain Road site on the south side of Donner Lake, the Greenpoint Springs water
storage tanks on the north shore of Donner Lake, and the Upper Tanks located above 1-80
at the westbound scenic view rest area(See Figure 1).
The Red Mountain water storage tank is located in high quality wetland habitat. The
District worked closely with the LRWQCB to receive Clean Water Act Section 401
Water Quality Certification to install a pipeline in this sensitive habitat. However, the
District re-modeled the hydraulics' of the Donner Lake water system and decided that
abandonment of this tank site in favor of the Donner Lake Road tank site was a superior
environmental and engineering alternative.
The District is also implementing Phase I of a Greenpoint Springs tank site wetland
restoration plan under the guidance of the LRWQCB. The complex of natural seeps and
springs at the site is the largest, most diverse, and highest quality of the seep-spring and
wetland-riparian habitats found around the north shore of Donner Lake. The channels and
springs all provide a direct, overland hydrologic connection to the lake. The District is
committed to re-establishing historic wetlands at this site.
SUMMARY
The District is nearing completion of the Donner Lake water system improvement project
for the Donner Lake customers. The project started in 2001 and has evolved from a"Boil
Water Order" to an efficient and cost effective state of the art water distribution system. t
The District has coordinated all components of the project with the appropriate state and
federal regulatory agencies. The Donner Lake Road water storage tank is a final
P.O.Box 309—Truckee.CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org
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component of this comprehensive improvement project. The proposed location of the
water storage tank on the Town of Truckee Right Of Way is the best site for the water
tank. The District has incorporated every reasonable measure to ensure that visible
impacts are reduced to a less than significant level. It is the intent of the District to work
closely with Town Planning staff and regulatory agencies to ensure that the project
complies with all local and regional regulations and is conducted with the least amount of
environmental impact.
Please contact me at (530) 582-3927 should you require any additional information. We
appreciate your continued assistance with this final component of the Donner Lake water system improvement project.
S' erely,
I 1 �
Ed Taylor
Water Utility Manager
cc: Town of Truckee Council Members
TDPUD Board Members
Emily Kashtan, Donner Lake Homeowner Association
John Eaton, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation
Scott Ferguson, LRWQCB
Glenn Merron, Inland Ecosystems
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P.O.Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdpud.org
rags, r ur 4 _...,
Peter Holzmeister
From: Emilie Kashtan [ekashtan@prodigy.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 6:50 AM
To: Peter Holzmeister
Subject: Donner Lake Tank
Peter,
I have to work late and can't get off to attend the meeting tonight. Attached at the emails that I have received
regarding the Donner Lake Water tanks. Also attached without the photos is the letter sent on behalf of the
Donner Lake Community Association. Please introduce this for public record. Charlie might be there and I could
not coordinate with someone else to be there. It seems people are on holiday. Imagine.
Thanks. Emilie
-----Original Message -----
From: Pretzeldadl @aol.com
To: tiashbrook_@townoftruckee.com ; Craig@alpenenvirons.com
Cc: ekashtan@prodigy.net ;peterholzmeiser@tdpud org
Sent: Sunday, June 26,2005 8:32 PM
Subject: Water Tank Placement
To Whom It May Concern:
Having read the information involving the 2 alternatives it is clear tome that the
Proposed water tank SHOULD be placed above Donner Pass Road near I-80 on the
Public parcel which I understand is the location favored by TDPUD.
Further it is my understanding that the TDPUD preferred site is the most cost effective
and timely to those of us receiving water from TDPUD and I see no reason to chose an
alternative that will in effect delay the project or possibly increase the cost of water.
We urge you to approve the TDPUD proposed site for locating the new water tank
poste haste!
Sincerely,
Deane A. and Patricia R. Dvoracek
14660 Red Mountain Road
South Side of Donner Lake
530-587-0747 or 530-273-0511
----- Original Message -----
From: Ingrid Eccles s
To: Craig@alpenenvirons.com l
Cc: tiashbrook@townoftruckee com ; peterholzmeister@tdpud.org ; peterholzmeiser@tdpud.org ;
ekashtan @prodigy.net; 'Chet Eccles'
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 4:10 PM
Subject: Donner Lake Water Tank
To the Mayor and Town Manager of Truckee: t
My husband and I are directly in favor of the recommendation given by the Donner Lake Community Association
for placement of the water tank. It seems prudent to not incur additional expenses beyond what the outlay would
be for the original planned placement of the water tank. We need the new tank to be provided as promised in the
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7/6/2005
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and ohgina|pbnand h should bedoneduhngVlispu��u/or summer(b«i|di»g)000aon� 4»�u||�im*oaoidonh; /�hi
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Thank You for your help.
Sincerely yours,
Chet and Ingrid Eccles
Full tim
e (7 years)residents o/Donner Lake
� -----Original Message —`'
Frmmm: R41hYedkes
�! To: craiQ@a|Pepen�I�o�cy@
�, � 8a�hboluk��k/>�guft[ucke0�u� Peterholzmeise,@tdpud.com Jun
e @townoftruckee.com mseL@tdPud.com eo:i|ie kash1gn
mum�*�: water tanks
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� Wex�� � ��p|��� wa��� u����r[� J� � �
| thought out plan.
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Thanks for asking for public iup*t
]Ruthand Bob ,Kcrkcu �
15344l}*uocr Pass Road
Tr^ckeeo6l6l
—^'^Original Message
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From: Robert Soe/ak
TO: 1!u§hbrggk@ tcwnohrgcke�cum
Cc:pete,hV(zneise(^01dPUU '
Sent: Friday, June 24. 20O�0'A � ek�sh�a»��P[0diVy`ne�
*z:44PM
Subject: —
Water Tank
Asa property owner at Donner Lakewe've waitd
an»�herDe|ay7lagreewi�h [heTD�UDp|an Le�. yearst» getthiswatersystenncoonp|eted muvv
Ue|ays!!! r � esget this thing done without more burea �
—`—Origina/ �&eaoago—.— bureaucratic
Fromm: 8a,b&S§Dd�LeY�i�
To: cnaiQ��a|Penenvironn,cum ; tiashbrook@townoftruckee
.com-W yd9[g � E�l/|ie}{ashi§ ���Com
Semt: Fhday' juno24. yOV5'2�13'P�� »
$wbjeot� DonnorLakeVVa� ~^
� nr |anks
Dear Sirs:
After reading the pros and cons cfthotwopob*��u|ohoo�urihe
'"^^« / urOeY»u �n|ocu�e�hotaokaun|h*pub|inparo*| raUh*'�»»wwmK*rtankaatDunne/Lukoo#Dunnoriake �
'»c»o»omQ the P�vate|yowned|ona�onao /feel itwill | ka»ih*phva�*ono� | oa»o*e»oma|advan1a !
munaan«dcosts u/using the privately owned parcel »nyn*ou/�i»de|aY«»ndmur00001sdue�ubo��Uh advantage �
U*|aYa. Lorojuatgo1*lojubguingandnonnpket*dwanV probable increased costs ufoon$m��innoaoo*d by
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non/undo�oano are available.
Donner Lake Homeowner
----- Original Message -----
From:� <xko,�
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: ^Poterb«/zruoiser��tdnud4org»; <ekusbtug��v«"», 4»���
&cuCpr�k»/. June 24. ^ 2:77}gk� y'vu�%2�«t�
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I am writing to support adoption of the TDPUD site for the Donner Lake Water
>Tank- Andrew Kneier(Donner Lake resident)
----- Original Message -----
From: 'Juanita J.Schneider" <schneiderC&jps.net>
To: "Peter Holzmeister" <PeterHolzmeister0I,tdpud.org>: "Emilie Kashtan" <ekashtunC xodi�
Cc: "Juanita J. Schneider" <sehnc iderCa jps.net> 1 ' ay-net>
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 9:57 AM
Subject: Fw: RE Donner Lake Water Tank
>----- Original Message -----
>From: `Juanita J. Schneider" <schnejder@jps,net>
>To: "Tony Lashbrook" <tlashbrookCc�townoftruckee.com>
>Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 9:55 AM -
>Subject: RE Donner Lake Water Tank
>> WE wish to have you continue with the location that has already been
>> started. The Town property is the best location. We want to get this
>>started, so we are not confronted with SRF being stopped as 12/31/05.
>This
>>has taken a long time. Please continue with the sight already started.
>>Juanita &Frank Schneider
>> Spruce Street
>>Donner Lake.
»
>-----Original Message -----
From: Emilie_Kashtan
To: Richard Anderson ; Beth Ingalis ; Barbara Green ; Tony Lashbrook ; Craig Threshie ; Josh Susman
Cc: Emike s Donner Lake email tree ; Neil Kaufman ; Peter
Sent: aturday, June 5, 2005 12:53 PM Holzmeiser; Ed Taylor ; Glenn,_S. Merron Ph,D
S 2
Subject: Visability of Proposed Donner Lake Tank Sites
Town Council,
Yesterday I attended the "balloon hoisting"at the two proposed sites for the Donner Lake Water Tanks. I am
attaching three of my photos, one taken at the edge of the on ramp to 1-80, one driving down Donner Lake
Road and one driving up Donner Lake road. There were 4 orange balloons two
Popped)marking the
Farrantine/Freed site and 6 yellow balloons marking the public TDPUD recommended site'
ecmmededsite' Keep in mind that f
several of the tall trees in front of the Farrantine/Freed site will have to be cut down, increasing that visibility,
along with the building of eight homes on this stretch of Donner Lake Road. On walking the freeway, and going
up and down Donner Lake road, one finding was the first balloon sighted was usually orange. Additionally, at
any given spot, the visibility was essentially equal or with more orange balloons showing.
it seems that both sights are equal in visibility, bringing into the discussion concerns with increase costs and
less control using a private parcel, with significant concerns to getting this built this season.
I hope that the Town Council will move forward in using the TDPUD site at the next Town Council meeting so
as not to jeopardize the loan that Donner Lake customers have been financing this project with, and to not cost
the customers more money and potential exposure to fires as a result of not having a fully functioning system. r
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7/6/2005
Page 4 of 4
Thank you for your consideration.
Emilie Kashtan, DLCA Chairperson
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7/6/2005
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Peter HOIZMelster
From: Charlie White [sales@donner-lake.com]
Sent: Monday,June 27, 2005 1:20 PM
To: Josh Susman; Craig Threshie; Barbara Green; Richard Anderson; Beth Ingalls
Cc: Mike Terwilliger; Daniel Wilkins PE.; Tony Lashbrook; Ed Taylor; Peter Holzmeister
Subject: Donner Lake Road Water Tank
Honorable Mayor Threshie, Town Council, Town Staff,
c
Last Friday I took advantage of the "balloon demonstration" for the Tru kee
had
Donner Public Utility District's (TDPUD) proposed Water Tank location, I
visited the site before and I continue to feel that the TDPUD's selection this tank on Town of Truckee property is superior to putting it on the of installing
suggested, private property site for the following reasons:
1. 1 believe that the tank will be properly camouflaged (additional planted
vegetation & painting of the tank)
2. 1 believe that once it is in place, the tank will not be so obtrusive to be a scenic
detriment to Donner Lake, or the Town of Truckee -- people will quickly recognize
the tank for what it is and will dismiss it as something to be concerned about.
3. We cannot afford to miss this construction season:
a. A quick look around our State will show that we are facing another supreme fire
danger year and without this tank on-line by Fall, we might not have the needed fire flow to
fight a large fire at Donner Lake.
b. We, the property owners and residents of Donner Lake, have waited halfa
Decade for a reliable water system and to delay another year could prove not only
more expensive (may lose the current low-Interest State Loan; new specifications
will need to be prepared in order for the project to be put out to bid -- much more
tree-removal and grading will be needed; and, the owners of the private property will
demand that they receive "compensation", or other benefits, for allowing use of their
property which can only increase our current Bond Assessment). We had voted for
an Assessment with certain terms and conditions -- changing the project could
easily change those.
4. 1 took the attached photos. The photo from the east-bound on-ramp showed
that the PUD site was less-visible than the second site; 1 did not take any photos
from the driving lanes of 1-80 for safety reasons -- none-the-less, drivers should be
concentrating on where they are driving instead of looking for water tanks, etc.
Driving down Donner Lake Road, neither site was visible until you got opposite
them; but a driver should be watching the road and not looking for a water tank
anyway -- again, with proper screening and paint, the tank will be almost-invisible.
Driving up DLR should be the same issue; in fact, any of the proposed dwellings
along that roadway will probably be more visible because of the reflective glass, etc.
than the water tank.
Therefore, I urge you to quickly approve of the TDPUD's proposal so that this s
tank can be installed as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel
7/6/2005
Page 2 of 2
free tO give rite a call.
Charles C. White, Broker
Donner Lake Realty, Inc.
Donner Lake, California
Sales@Donner-Lake.com
hftp://www.DonnerLakeRealty.Com
800-636-6637, Local: 530-587-4811
FAX: 530-587-8536; or: 775-383-2417
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7/6/2005
rage t of s "
Peter Holzmeister
From: Emilie Kashtan[ekashtan@prodigy.net]
Sent: Monday,June 13, 2005 1:42 PM
To: Judy Price; Dan Wilkins; Tony Lashbrook
Cc: DLCA Advisory Group; Richard Anderson; Josh Susman; Beth Ingalls; Barbara Green; Craig
Threshie; Charlie White; Neil Kaufman; Peter Holzmeister; Ed Taylor
Subject: DLCA Position on Donner Lake Water Tank Location
June 13, 2005
To: Truckee Town Staff& Town Council
Re: Location of the Donner Lake Water Tanks,
Greetings,
We understand that the Town Council has agendized The Donner Lake Water Tanks for the Town
Council Meeting for Thursday, June 16. The Donner Lake Community Association Advisory Group,
which consists of businesses, Associations and property owners located around Donner Lake,
has reviewed the issues and documents surrounding the TDPUD proposed location of the Donner Lake
Water Tank as well as other available options, including the proposal by Al Farrimine and Brian Freed.
Multiple trips have occurred to the site, including having Ed Taylor, from the TDPUD with complete
plans and maps clearly show the involved areas, as well as individual trips to the site. Photographs were
taken and sent to members of the Advisory Group along with a Summary of the Negative Declaration
and existing considerations. Discussions have occurred with the TDPUD, Town, MAPF and the
involved property owners.
The citizen's oversight committee that met with the TDPUD monthly for over a year in 2001.2002,
reviewed and discussed the issues surrounding the Water Tanks, so community review and input with
existing Donner Lake water customers has been a long standing part of the Donner Lake Water Capital
Improvement Project. The DLCA is a formalization and expansion of that initial effort.
The findings of the group include consideration to:
1. Benefit to the environment
2. Tank Visibility and Options
3. Appropriate Land use
4. Cost to existing Donner Lake Customers.
5. Management of Project Timeline
6. General Public Benefit x
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Fundamentally,Donner Lake is reducing from three malfunctioning incompetent water tanks to one
functioning water tank, with a primary purpose to properly manage an emergent situation, like a fire.
The existing TDPUD proposed site continues to be our endorsement, based on the to findings.
We would hope that the process of review becomes satisfied, efforts to comply with local and State
7/6/2005
Page i or -i __.
requirements are met and satisfied, and the process of installing the tank occurs as per the Timeline this
buildin gseason, which is also in the best interest of the existing Donner Lake Water Customers. As the
Town Council accepts public comment and Staff input, we would request that the Town
Council direct Town Staff to provide oversight and be able to take required action at the Town Staff
level after the June to this Town Council Meeting. This would expidite the process and enable the
project to be completed this year.
BENEFIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT:
The proposed TDPUD site, a Town right of way, will be accessed via an old existing power
road, which continues use of that property as an access road, leaving the surrounding
environment undisturbed, while using a portion of the existing flat road for tank location.
Continuing to address Town and Citizen concerns, the TDPUD design has minimized the road
grade, minimized the hill cut, addressed proper drainage measures, and limited the project to oe
tank with a landscape plan. The existing unsightly power poles and visible freeway traffic in this n
area are outside the scope of this project, other than the TDPUD plans to address any required
needs for the I-80 Scenic Corridor. The drainage dumping unfiltered and incorrectly from a
Caltran culvert onto the old access road, will be properly channeled down the access road to the
Donner Lake Road drainage channel, something that is not occurring today. Caitran's
responsibility will be shouldered by the TDPUD and paid by the existing Donner Lake Water
customers. The area has been reviewed for wetland considerations and no rare species have been
identified from what we have been told.
The proposed Farrantine/Freed Site, would be accessed via the same power road, which
would have to be extended on to their private property, with significant disturbance and
excavation to the sloping hillside, removal of mature Pine trees, and a considerable hill cut that
would have to he stabilized. There doesn't appear to be any issue of wetland on this site, but
large rocks are visible, causing question to the excavation needs.
Visibility:
cover frm the The TDPUD site, access road and tank will be behind a wall of existing trees having branch
area Of expsure,
directly s uth of the pounrop sed tank location, that willto the 32 ft height of the
require landscaping osed tank. There iseprovide a diti nal
decreased visibility of the tank. With this plan, it is felt that no mature pine trees will need to be
removed, with the guaranteed benefit to the public that measures addressing visibility will be
required.
The Farrantine/Freed Site is in a grove of tall mature Pine trees, but the branches are sparse
from the ground to the 32 ft. proposed tank height_ Some of these trees would have to be
continuing along Donn
removed for the tank, but the benefit decreases because the private pro pert er Lake Ry below the tank oad east to the curve, has two subdivisions planned, nclud gda
total of eight homes. Additional tali mature trees will have to he removed for these homes #
continuing to decrease the screening from a tank that would be on this property. Another
decrease in benefit to this private property site is that they do not have to adhere to the same
visibility requirements as a project on public lands.
i Visibility from the lake from either site will be minimal due the thick tall trees on the opposite
side of the road, on un-buildable land. z
s
Appropriate Lane Use: Either property would be appropriate given the close proximity to unsightly 3
7/6/2005
Page 3 of 3
Power poles and I-80, rendering these properties largely unusable for most purposes, with the benefit
that the TDPUD site is already flat and has less need in addressing the slope of the hill.
Cost to Existing Donner Lake Water Customers: The cost to extend to the Farrantine/Freed property
is estimated to be at least$185,000 more than the TDPUD site, due to the cost of land use, excavation,
hill stabilization and tree removal. Again, the cost to correct Caltrans drainage will also be assumed by
Donner Lake Water Customers. Additionally, the people of Donner Lake and the TDPUD worked very
long and hard for the State Revolving Loan that has helped soften the considerable financial obligation
to customers having to completely reconstruct the water system. This loan expires December 31, 2005,
with no guarantee, given the current state of the State of California's finances, that it can be extended if
this project is not completed.
Management of Project Timeline: Given the current TDPUD design and their attention to all the
Local and State requirements, with approval from the Town, Fish and Game, Lahonton, Caltrans, etc, It
is hoped that the TDPUD can begin the bidding process for this project the fir
st of July, in order to be
able to install the tank in this building season, the fifth year of this project. To wait another year,
obviously would increase the cost of the project due to the escalating costs of labor and materials
prevalent in Truckee, as well as to prolong the hardship of the Customers of Donner Lake in getting a
fully working system, not to mention them not having to continue oversight D this project. This project
should not be stalled, at the expense of existing customers, by new development or customers that were
not initially a part of this project.
Public Benefit: To all property owners and visitors, the benefit of having a full functioning water tank
for fire abatement is a necessity. Donner Lake experiences a tremendous number of Vacation Renters
and perhaps owners who may not he as educated in preventing fires in this basin. Given the cold
weather, fires in fireplaces have been used more, lending to potential problems of hot ashes and
disposal, to name one problem. The existing leaky tanks are a poor excuse for security. Use of the
Public land negates any suggestion of special interest or individual benefit in this project, at the expense
of the existing customers, not to mention the public at large. Additionally, consideration has been given
to the new developments in seoping them in on the existing Project, which was not part of the original
design. The public benefits finally, in the use of a site that would have few other uses, while preserving
other available sites that might be more visible, to remaining natural, undeveloped and as an Open
Space, as has been a focus of the town.
Respectfully,
The Donner Lake Community Association, Advisory Round Table Group
Emilie Kashtan, Chairperson and Charlie White, Vice Chairperson
s
s
i
7/6/2005
3
i
Peter Holzmeister
From: Emilie Kashtan [ekashtan@prodigy.net]
Sent: Monday,June 13, 2005 1:17 PM
To: Peter Holzmeister, Neil Kaufman; Ed Taylor
Cc: DLCA Advisory Group;Jamie Bate
Subject: DLCA Position on Donner Lake Water Tank Location
June 13, 2005
To: TDPUD Board
Re: Location of the Donner Lake Water Tanks,
Greetings,
The Donner Lake Community Association Advisory Group, which consists of businesses, Associations
and property owners located around Donner Lake, has reviewed the issues and documents surrounding
the TDPUD proposed location of the Donner Lake Water Tank as well as other available options,
including the proposal by Al Farrintine and Brian Freed. Multiple trips have occurred to the site,
including having Ed Taylor, from the TDPUD with complete plans and maps clearly show the involved
areas, as well as individual trips to the site. Photographs were taken and sent to members of the
Advisory Group along with a Summary of the Negative Declaration and existing considerations.
Discussions have occurred with the TDPUD,Town, MAPF and the involved property owners.
The citizen's oversight committee that met with the TDPUD monthly for over a year in 2001-2002,
reviewed and discussed the issues surrounding the Water Tanks, so community review and input with
existing Donner Lake water customers has been a long standing part of the Donner Lake Water Capital
Improvement Project. The DLCA is a formalization and expansion of that initial effort.
The findings of the group include consideration to:
I. Benefit to the environment
2. Tank Visibility and Options
3. Appropriate Land use
4. Cost to existing Donner Lake Customers.
5. Management of Project Timeline
6. General Public Benefit
Fundamentally,Donner Lake is reducing from three malfunctioning incompetent water tanks to one
functioning water tank, with a primary purpose to properly manage an emergent situation, like a fire.
The existing TDPUD proposed site continues to be our endorsement, based on the following findings.
We would hope that the process of review becomes satisfied, efforts to comply with local and State
requirements are met and satisfied, and the process of installing the tank occurs as per the Timeline,this I
bu' ng season which is also in the best interest of the existing Donner Lake Water Customers. The
]
7/6/2005
DLCA also continues to want to be properly informed of any additional issues involving this Project, for
timely input.
BENEFIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT:
The proposed TDPUD site, a Town right of way, will be accessed via an old existing power
road, which continues use of that property as an access road, leaving the surrounding
environment undisturbed, while using a portion of the existing flat road for tank location.
Continuing to address Town and Citizen concerns, the TDPUD design has minimized the road
grade, minimized the hill cut, addressed proper drainage measures, and limited the project to one
tank with a landscape plan. The existing unsightly power poles and visible freeway traffic in this
area are outside the scope of this project, other than the TDPUD plans to address any required
needs for the 1-80 Scenic Corridor. The drainage dumping unfiltered and incorrectly from a
Caltran culvert onto the old access road, will be properly channeled down the access road to the
Donner Lake Road drainage channel, something that is not occurring today. Caltran's
responsibility will be shouldered by the TDPUD and paid by the existing Donner Lake Water
customers. The area has been reviewed for wetland considerations and no rare species have been
identified from what we have been told.
The proposed Farrantine/Freed Site, would be accessed via the same power road, which
would have to be extended on to their private property, with significant disturbance and
excavation to the sloping hillside, removal of mature Pine trees, and a considerable hill cut that
would have to be stabilized. There doesn't appear to be any issue of wetland on this site, but
large rocks are visible, causing question to the excavation needs.
Visibility:
The TDPUD site, access road and tank will be behind a wall of existing trees having branch
cover from the ground to the 32 ft height of the proposed tank. There is one area of exposure,
directly south of the proposed tank location, that will require landscaping to provide additional
decreased visibility of the tank. With this plan, it is felt that no mature pine trees will need to he
removed, with the guaranteed benefit to the public that measures addressing visibility will be
required.
The Farrantine/Freed Site is in a grove of tall mature Pine trees, but the branches are sparse
from the ground to the 32 ft. proposed tank height. Some of these trees would have to be
removed for the tank, but the benefit decreases because the private property below the tank and
continuing along Donner Lake Road east to the curve, has two subdivisions planned, including a
total of eight homes. Additional tall mature trees will have to be removed for these homes
continuing to decrease the screening from a tank that would be on this property. Another
decrease in benefit to this private property site is that they do not have to adhere to the same
visibility requirements as a project on public lands.
Visibility from the lake from either site will be minimal due the thick tall trees on the opposite
side of the road, on un-buildable land.
Appropriate Lane Use: Either property would be appropriate given the close proximity to unsightly
power poles and 1-80,rendering these properties largely unusable for most purposes, with the benefit
that the TDPUD site is already flat and has less need in addressing the slope of the hill. t
s
s
7/6/2005
a use � UL J
Cost to Existing Donner Lake Water Customers: The cost to extend to the Farrantine/Freed property
is estimated to be at least $185,000 more than the TDPUD site, due to the cost of land use, excavation,
hill stabilization and tree removal. Again, the cost to correct Caltrans drainage will also be assumed by
Donner Lake Water Customers. Additionally, the people of Donner Lake and the TDPUD worked very
long and hard for the State Revolving Loan that has helped soften the considerable financial obligation
to customers having to completely reconstruct the water system. This loan expires December 31, 2005,
with no guarantee, given the current state of the State of California's finances, that it can be extended if
this project is not completed.
Management of Project Timeline: Given the current TDPUD design and their attention to all the
Local and State requirements, with approval from the Town, Fish and Game, Lahonton, Caltrans, etc, It
is hoped that the TDPUD can begin the bidding process for this project the first of July, in order to be
able to install the tank in this building season, the fifth year of this project. To wait another year,
obviously would increase the cost of the project due to the escalating costs of labor and materials
prevalent in Truckee, as well as to prolong the hardship of the Customers of Donner Lake in getting a
fully working system, not to mention them not having to continue oversight in this project. This project
should not be stalled, at the expense of existing customers, by new development or customers that were
not initially a part of this project.
Public Benefit: To all property owners and visitors, the benefit of having a full functioning water tank
for fire abatement is a necessity. Donner Lake experiences a tremendous number of Vacation Renters
and perhaps owners who may not be as educated in preventing fires in this basin. Given the cold
weather, fires in fireplaces have been used more, lending to potemial problems of hot ashes and
disposal, to name one problem. The existing leaky tanks are a poor excuse for security. Use of the
public land negates any suggestion of special interest or individual benefit in this project, at the expense
of the existing customers, not to mention the public at large. Additionally, consideration has been given
to the new developments in scoping them in on the existing Project, which was not part of the original
design. The public benefits finally, in the use of a site that would have few other uses, while preserving
other available sites that might be more visible, to remaining natural, undeveloped and as an On
Space, as has been a focus of the town. pe
Respectfully,
The Donner Lake Community Association, Advisory Round Table Group
Emilie Kashtan, Chairperson and Charlie White, Vice Chairperson
7/6/2005