Lawsuit Filed To Stop The Base-To-Base Gondola At Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
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| Credit: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows |
A lawsuit is being brought against the Placer County's July approval of the base-to-base gondola at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. The lawsuit was filed by the Granite Chief Wilderness Protection League.
“Creating the gondola is going to be a huge impact on the wilderness area,” Deborah Moskowitz, president of Resource Renewal Institute, a nonprofit organization that oversees the Granite Chief Wilderness Protection League told the Tahoe Daily Tribune. “We have an obligation to maintain the beauty of these places.”
The lawsuit states that the gondola project would permanently alter the environment of this area of the Sierra Nevada and endanger local wildlife, namely the federally protected yellow-legged frog. The suit also claims that the project has not undergone adequate environmental review.
Huey Johnson, a board member of the Protection League, was quoted in a press release as saying “This will desecrate a wilderness sanctuary. There are other less damaging alternatives that would allow this small subset of skiers to travel between Squaw and Alpine without constructing these towers amidst this pristine area.” The idea is that other alternatives were not considered, for example, an expanded shuttle bus system.
However, according to a second quote in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, “A tremendous amount of research and study informed the approval of this project,” said Ron Cohen, president of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “It is also important for the public to know that no part of this gondola will enter the Granite Chief Wilderness.”
It has also been reported that Joe Flannery, Tahoe National Forest public affairs officer, has stated that there have been 12 objections on their draft Record of Decision from the public and local organizations. However, the clarifying of those objections will be finished within the next two weeks and a Final Record of Decision will be released in November.
More information about the project can be found by following the link below.
No More Choosing Either Squaw Valley Or Alpine Meadows -- Ski Both From The Newly Approved Base-To-Base Gondola
It would seem that a long-time dream for the operators of When the go-ahead to begin construction is given, the construction time will only by approximately 2.5 months and involve the use of helicopters so no new roads or pathways will have to be built.
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