Royal Gorge posts disputed papers on Web site

Responding to a "great demand by the public," Royal Gorge posted pre-submittal documents on its Web site this week following a similar release from Placer County.

The draft documents refine details of the "conservation community" being planned on Donner Summit surrounding the largest cross-country ski resort in North America. The papers were kept from the public to avoid confusion, county planning officials said.

Royal Gorge LLC first delivered the documents on Nov. 1 and requested they be kept administrative. Some members of the public demanded to see them once they caught wind of what they suspected was a secretive exchange.

The county released the reports more than a month later, after The Union made two Freedom of Information act requests, and an attorney hired by Donner Summit homeowners made legal threats.

Royal Gorge was concerned about making the documents public, figuring people would "waste their time" viewing the "work-in-progress" studies, said project manager Mike Livak.

The demand to see the documents and "suggestions of impropriety" led the developers to take "pro-active steps" to make the hundreds of pages of documents available online, he said.

Critics aren't impressed. "It's trying to save face in the last minute," said Joseph Gray, one of the homeowners.

Livak maintains Royal Gorge is committed to a transparent approach that involves the public.

"The best way to proceed is continuing to be transparent," Livak said.

A review of the documents shows several changes from earlier plans, including an increase of open space from 70 to 80 percent.

Gray questions the quality of the open space, especially in the area called Lake Camp, which weaves cross-country ski trails through housing areas.

"They must be calling open space the space between buildings," Gray said.

A water supply study identified seven "viable" water sources without dredging, including groundwater wells and spill water from Serene Lakes. Reservoirs were needed to store water, the study said.

Gray called Royal Gorge's plans for water a "hodge podge of fragile sources."

Next Saturday, the Sierra Lakes Water District will host a presentation of the documents at its next board meeting.

Royal Gorge is expected to complete a final application for the project early this year after making revisions to technical reports and discussing water and sewer alternatives with public utility agencies, Livak said.

Once submitted, the environmental and public review process can commence, Livak said.



s On the Net

Review the Royal Gorge documents at:

www.royalgorgefuture.com