Opinion: Defacing state park will not be tolerated
To the community,
The Washoe Meadows Community condemns the act of vandalism within Washoe Meadows State Park that was reported Nov. 29 by 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 River 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 Parks’ choice of Alternative 2, but certainly we are in accord with the state and other agencies in condemning any sabotage, dishonesty or misbehavior that undermine the aim to restore
the Upper Truckee River in the most environmentally ideal manner.
Lynne Paulson, Washoe Meadows Community
This isn’t the only act of vandalism in our Tahoe State Parks. This year someone has been tagging the boulders of Bliss and Emerald Bay State Park with meso-american like symbols. This is nothing more then an act of illegal graffiti. The clean-up of this graffiti is proving to be a tedious task for State Park personal as the areas do not accommodate the power washing equipment that would be needed to effectively remove the paint from the boulder surfaces.
Please call the Sierra State Parks District if you have information on the acts of graffiti.