Editor:
Your March 26 paper on Page 15 was like a history eye opening to me, all on one page.
I developed the small sales and salvage program on the Sierraville Ranger Dist. in the 1970s. In the fall of 1979 I took the Licensed Foresters test. I passed it and resigned from the Forest Service in the spring of 1980. I am very familiar with the forested areas of the eastside of Sierra and Plumas Counties.
The Lucy Blake property was then part of the Gifford Webber Ranch. I was the forester until it changed ownership. I can advise the Planning Commission, it is NOT TPZ land as it doesn't meet the minimum qualification of Site III. This could explain why it was in the Williamson Act, which it also did NOT meet the definition of.
I then noted the article on the Gold Mtn. project now Nakoma Resort. It seemed this project was very beneficial to Plumas County. This brings us to the City of Santa Clara project, the Balls Canyon Ski Resort development, north of Reno.
Lack of snow, but studies proved that abundant water and the cold temperature made snow making the solution. Should be a very succesful project.
That was until the TPZ and Williamson Act Zoning came into the rezoning to Recreation. Don't forget deer migration.
I talked to one of the lawyers for the City of Santa Clara at the hearing to rezone. He informed that the project was on fast track, and not to worry about it.
He was right. It was fast tracked to DEATH.
The abuse of zoning to stop growth on the east side of Sierra County has been very successful. Check the records.
Sincerely,
Ronald Strong
RPF/837 Retired
