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Illegal lakefront wall met with $120,000 fine


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A Zephyr Cove resident has one extremely expensive rock wall – that must be torn down.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board levied a $120,000 fine Jan. 26 against Edgar Roberts for 11 violations.

In addition to the fine, Roberts must remove the fill from his and the neighboring properties, rebuild the retaining wall correctly, and restore any disturbed areas. Of course he must do all of this with the proper permits from TRPA and other necessary agencies.

Roberts, years ago, approached the bi-state regulatory agency about rebuilding and moving the retaining wall into an area the agency deemed sensitive and near the lake’s high water mark.

Three years ago, Roberts brought in more than 200 tons of granite fill material to build what he wanted without the necessary permits. Roberts also operated heavy equipment, relocated sand and failed to use lake-friendly construction methods all in highly sensitive lands, according to TRPA spokesman Jeff Cowen.

“We are pleased that the Governing Board agreed with us that this settlement and fine amount is appropriate given the extent of the violations and environmental harm attributable to the unauthorized construction project,” TRPA attorney Nicole Rinke said.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

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Comments

Comments (13)
  1. Steven says - Posted: January 27, 2011

    Why wasn’t construction stopped while in progress?

  2. HARDtoMAKEaLIVINGinTAHOE says - Posted: January 27, 2011

    “trpa” still SUCKS and always will suck..they think this Cuba.
    Fire the whole bunch help the Deficient$!
    Not a soul would miss that bunch low lifes!

  3. lou pierini says - Posted: January 27, 2011

    Let uf know when they collect.

  4. Careaboutthecommunity says - Posted: January 27, 2011

    Well it is good to know that money can’t skirt the rules.

  5. shawn says - Posted: January 27, 2011

    People have to realize you can’t do what you want when you want. You have to protect what you have, otherwise you will have people doing what they want. Trying living in the northeast for awhile talk about a Gestapo regime!!!

  6. Julie Threewit says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    It would appear Mr. Roberts decided to beg for forgiveness instead of getting permission. Didn’t work out this time.

  7. michael says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    I believe that this will be settled by TRPA with the fine and the landowner will get what they want. In over 30 years of watching TRPA operate, they always allow the rich to do what they want as long as the money rolls in.

  8. michael says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    Just the removal of this project will cause more environmental damage than letting it stay. Did the landowner just get tired of the delays? How many times did they try to get permits? How much red tape can anyone take?

  9. irony says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    Fraulein Marchetta you are doing a magnificent job. Keep up the good works.
    Any chance of an indepth report so us average blokes can understand who are the bad gals?

  10. HARDtoMAKEaLIVINGinTAHOE says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    Irony….Mar is a dude in womens cloths.

    Too many environmental harm attributable creep into his cup of India tea!
    Can’t you tell?

  11. Keith Cooney says - Posted: January 28, 2011

    HardtoMakeaLivinginTahoe, you have really crossed the line with your personal attacks. I hope LTN will band you from commenting on this website. Ms Marchetta is a lovely lady and is doing an outstanding job at TRPA. She has really reached out to our community and cares about our community.