Opinion: Collaboration needed in Tahoe basin, not divisive letters
To the community,
Having been a volunteer firefighter (almost 30 years), EMT (four years)and reserve deputy sheriff (12 years) in Alpine County, been the Alpine County Board of Supervisor’s rep on our Fire Safe Council, plus one or two other activities, I personally feel Mr. [Carl] Ribaudo’s letter was, although I’m sure heartfelt, just a cheap shot.
After this last Lahontan board meeting I had coffee with Nancy Gibson, USFS supervisor, and told her of our experience on the Alpine County Board of Supervisors. We have worked collaboratively with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on a NEPA-CEQA document regarding the Hawkins Peak Communications project, certainly not to the scale of the Lake Tahoe Fuels Project, the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest is from Region 4, out of Ogden, Utah, with the forest operated out of Sparks and the Carson Ranger District, out of Carson City, Nevada.
Don Jardine
There was a bit of a learning curve on each side, but working together, we both saw all issues addressed, each in its own manner and this project is basically completed.
On a personal note, if Region 4 can make it happen, collaboratively, can Region 5, out of San Francisco, do it?
As I talked with Nancy Gibson, I imparted that we each have a role to play, regarding NEPA-CEQA, particularly in the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is a higher standard. But working together, we can meet these standards. We may or may not have another Angora Fire, I pray not, but working together we can reduce the public safety issues.
This does not even bring up the perfectly valid points brought up by the U.S. EPA rep at our meeting.
I feel Mr. Ribaubo’s letter was destructive and was no help as I talked with my friends at CalFire, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, our friends and cooperators with USFS, California State Parks and others about collaboration.
I feel all of the involved agencies and public have a continued opportunity to work together.
I’m sorry, his letter really burns me. We have many issues that we are required to address. Many thanks to all.
Don Jardine, chairman Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
Of course we should all collaborate and pull in the same direction. Unfortunately Don you don’t like my direction and I don’t like yours. Carl had oodles of constructive criticism including the non pronouncable proposed new name for Lakeview Commons. How about Lahontan and how the previous director who took a demotion to get a huge pay raise to spike his pension. Bureaucrats tend to stick together and build empires as your opinion so ably demonstrates.
The current battle over Washoe Meadows typifies how unwieldy government bureaucracies are. What should take months takes years and what should take years takes decades to accomplish with your beloved bureaucrats. Follow me Don to the government nirvana. I know the way.
Some people actually work to get things done like Don. Others just whine and bloviate like spoiled children with selfish attitudes.
TeaTotal perchance do you work for the government? Sounds like a nerve was touched