Golf course battle heats up with lawsuit, vandalism

UPDATED 8:30AM: California State Parks is investigating vandalism that happened over the weekend on Washoe Meadows State Park land near the Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Electronic equipment and river monitoring devices were damaged or destroyed. Two logs were found to have graffiti sprayed on them, saying "Stop Golf" and "Save the Park."

Damaged estimates range from around $2,000 in equipment and $2,000 in labor. California park officials say they do not know if the vandalism is tied to a Nov. 23 lawsuit filed against California State Park and Recreation Commission and California Department of Parks and Recreation in Alameda Superior Court.

"This is senseless vandalism that hurts, not just state parks data collection but basin wide water quality research," said Cyndie Walck, engineering geologist for California State Parks.

The proposal by State Parks is to move up to half of the golf course into Washoe Meadows State Park. This would be done as a means to move the course away from the river allowing for restoration. Excessive erosion to the bed and bank have occurred on the Upper Truckee river for at least 100 years. The erosion degrades habitat and Lake Tahoe water clarity.

The following was sent from Lynn Paulson of the Washoe Meadows Community, which is suing over the golf course plan:

Washoe Meadows Community Condemns Vandalism in Washoe Meadows State Park

The Washoe Meadows Community condemns the act of vandalism within Washoe Meadows State Park that was reported today by California State Parks personnel. The described mutilation of trees is an abhorrence to those of us who are devoted to Washoe Meadows and who are dedicated to the defense of its natural gifts.

Our commitment to saving the park includes distress over the 1,600 trees slated to come down if the golf course is extended into Washoe Meadows, so the reported defacement is a terrible offense to our cause.

Since 2006 our Community members have been praised for our courtesy and respect during the technical and bureaucratic procedures to select the Upper Truckee restoration design. While we advocate for Alternative 3
to restore the river and keep the golf course — we remain steadfastly committed to civil processes and communication.

We disagree with State Parks¹ choice of Alternative 2, but certainly we are in accord with the State and other agencies in condemning any sabotage, dishonesty or misbehaviors that undermine the aim to restore
the Upper Truckee River in the most environmentally ideal manner.

Nancy Graalman
Director
Defense of Place
a project of Resource Renewal Institute

The lawsuit can be read in the attached PDF.

Washoe Meadows Community, is suing, for among other things, what they believe are violations of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Go here for a story on the lawsuit and a reaction from the plaintiffs filing the suit and here for a November Tahoe Mountain News story which covers arguments for and against the project.

Regarding the suit, Walck said this:

"It is unfortunate that the Washoe Meadows group has chosen to litigate such an important and good project for the environmental restoration of the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe. By filing the suit they are impeding and blocking the key project of the 35 projects for the basin. The group has a singular focus which does not take into account the many interests of the region and their lawsuit will cost taxpayers money and delay benefits to the lake and to the river."

Meanwhile, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, which was set to hear the proposed changes to the golf course, took the plan off of its Dec. 15 agenda because of the lawsuit.

“We need to evaluate the Washoe Meadow community’s lawsuit,” said TRPA public information officer Kristi Boosman. “However, TRPA continues to believe litigation is not the best path to achieving Basin-wide sustainability goals of protecting our environment, strengthening our economy, and building strong communities.”

Click through the bottom of this story a PDF of the suit.