Markleeville businesses and residents: "We need help now!"

MARKLEEVILLE, Calif. - When rain fell over the Tamarack Fire burn scar last week, causing the mud to flow down roads and hills, it did much more than wash out SR-89, the main artery between Markleeville and the rest of Alpine County.

It took with it the hopes to finally have a disaster-free summer where businesses could end their busy season on a positive note.

It took away the main route many of the Markleeville residents use to go to work in South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County (and employees who live elsewhere to get to work in Markleeville). Drivers must now drive an extra 60 miles over Monitor Pass instead of the six-mile stretch between Woodfords and Markleeville they once used to access the town.

It took away an open post office so residents could pick up needed medication.

It blocked first responders from getting to this mountain hamlet that is the Alpine County seat with a population just shy of 200. There is no staffed fire house, hospital, or ambulance in Markleeville.

During a town hall meeting on Saturday, and a meeting of business owners and residents on Sunday, many are expressing their frustration at what they describe as a lack of concern by their elected officials and Caltrans.

"Where is FEMA? Where is the National Guard? Where are the 24/7 emergency crews?" said one of those attending the Sunday meeting.

The quiet main street through Markleeville is SR-89, and it is now covered in dried mud with a blocked exit at one end and a one-lane road over a bridge construction site at the other end.

Caltrans, via Zoom, told the overflowing crowd at the town hall meeting Saturday that it will take 4-5 weeks to put in a new culvert at the spot of the collapsed SR-89 south of Turtle Rock Park Campground. The "weather event" severely undermined the roadway and created a 20-foot hole next to a culvert. Caltrans spokesperson Bob Highfill said they were trying to install a temporary bridge they found in Stockton, but it was too short to cover the growing compromised area. Highfill told the residents they will have crews started to work every day until fixed, but he couldn't say they'd be working 24 hours a day as the residents want.

Many residents said they feel Markleeville isn't a priority with Caltrans and that if the road situation was on US-50 instead, and impacting South Lake Tahoe and their tourism, the road would be fixed quicker.

In 2020, COVID wiped out the tourism season for Markleville, In 2021 the Tamarack Fire started on July 4 and burned 68,637 acres around the town. It took out campgrounds and the popular Grover Hot Springs (though the campground there has since reopened). The town was evacuated between July 16 and July 26, leaving the bulk of their summer business up in smoke. Just as a fire-free summer in 2022 was bringing some relief, the mudslide on July 31
dashed more hopes.

While these three major events have affected their lives the most, the ending of stocking the river with fish in 2019 also brought a change with fewer fishermen and women.

"The Tamarack Fire made COVID look fun," said Rachel Radach, owner of the Cutthroat Saloon and Brewing Company. "It will have a 10-year impact."

The road closure took away the last chance to make up losses before fall, said Rachel.

"We need help," said Deanne Jang who owns the Markleeville General store with her sister. Their parents bought the store in 1986.

"It's a death of a thousand cuts," added Deanne. "With the fire, less camping, fewer overnight visitors."

She said business was already down 50 percent before the mudslide.

"It's down so much more right now," said Deanne. "We're going to lose our town if we don’t do something."

Deanne said she can't get deliveries so it is really hard to plan. She has learned to adapt over the years, putting money out in hopes of having a return. She'd like to see Caltrans and the County do the same thing.

"Caltrans is not with us. They need to be working 24/7," said Deanne.

Some of the Markleville businesses never saw any COVID relief money or Tamarack Fire relief funds. They listed their concerns to the representatives for Assemblyman Frank Bigelow and Senator Brian Dahle, who both attended Saturday's town hall via Zoom.

Some help is coming. Alpine County told residents Dial-a-Ride will be making trips over Monitor Pass to shopping in Douglas County three times a week, starting Monday. East Fork Fire is sending over a couple of water tenders, South Tahoe Public Utility District offered help to the area's sewer plant, Caltrans said they will look into the feasibility of a footpath over the damaged area so the County can be connected with vehicles on either side of the closure. Caltrans said they'd work on reopening the old SR89 for emergency vehicles only. Highfill said the road is a high, narrow road with no guardrails and couldn't be open for non-emergency use. Public Health is looking to open a temporary health clinic, and calls will be made to get the Post Office to reopen at least for items still not delivered.

"Just open the road!" is the number one, unified cry from the Markleeville community.