SAVE DONNER SUMMIT

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DO DONNER SUMMIT AND PLACER COUNTY NEED MORE SKI LIFTS?

Up here at the summit we have a natural inclination to protect that which we value so highly-the mountains, the meadows, the streams and lakes, and the wildlife they support. We appreciate the muffled silence of a snowy winter's day, and the sound of rushing streams as the snow starts melting. We enjoy the solitude- the feeling of "getting away from it all".

There are those who might accuse us of selfishness. Some might say we are trying to keep out needed recreational amenities, such as the new ski lifts Royal Gorge LLC proposes to build as part of their condominium complex. Placer County is growing rapidly, they might say, and the mountains must move with the times.

Mountains, however, are in many ways above time. Up here, we can walk through the same canyons as did Indian tribes centuries ago. We can gaze at the same sunsets early settlers gazed at. We can sleep under the same velvet and crystalline night sky as early naturalists slept under. We can witness the scars left by mining.

We can also inflict new scars, in the form of ski lifts. You see, ski lifts are quite burdensome to mountains. When trees are cut down for the lifts and runs, the potential for soil erosion increases dramatically. Our soil up here at the summit, of granitic origin, is particularly prone to erosion. This erosion damages vegetation, and harms streams and lakes. As Serene Lakes, in the watershed of the proposed lifts, is a drinking water lake, this is a serious concern. The North Fork of the American River, and the South Fork of the Yuba River are also impacted by these proposed ski lifts.

And really, how many more ski lifts are needed up at the Summit? Lake Tahoe has myriad ski resorts, with slopes for skiers of all skill levels. Northstar, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw are quite near to us. Sugar Bowl, Boreal, Donner Ski Ranch, and Soda Springs are all up here on the Summit, with plenty of lifts for all.

Moreover, there is a funny thing about the demographics of skiing. The price of skiing just seems to keep going up, gas prices are going up as fast, and many people just can't fit skiing into their budget. Others are concerned that the ski industry, and the car trips engendered by ski-trips, contributes to global warming. Many baby boomers are seeking out warmer climes, and less strenuous hobbies. Ski resorts work overtime trying to lure the same pool of customers by building more lifts; the actual pool of would-be skiers is not growing. Why should more lifts be built for a shrinking population of skiers? Why should we allow our mountains to be permanently scarred to enrich developers and benefit a small group of people?

If you are concerned about more ski lifts being built up here, and wish to help protect the timeless Sierra, please visit Sierra Watch, www.savedonnersummit.org, and Syrcl to learn about our problems, and find out what you can do to help.

Courtesy of KTG from the May 2, 2007 blog on savethesummit.com