Caltrans contractor in hot water with TRPA

The contractor working at Emerald Bay is accused of violating the permit. Photo/Susan Wood

By Kathryn Reed

The contractor doing work on Highway 89 near Emerald Bay could face a slew of violations from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and possibly other agencies.

A video on the White Trash Brigade Facebook page shows workers with Stewart Engineering of Redding, the contractor hired by Caltrans, laughing as a large boulder rolls down the hillside and takes out a tree.

Caltrans did not respond to repeated emails.

TRPA was first notified May 21 about the company allegedly disposing of rocks and asphalt.

“TRPA investigated and found large boulders from the project area and tailings of sediment and asphalt extending down onto California State Parks property, with damage to trees, slope destabilization, and impacts to a stream environment zone in this highly sensitive natural area,” Tom Lotshaw, spokesman for the bi-state regulatory agency, told Lake Tahoe News.

At that time a cease and desist order was issued until the company came into compliance with the permit which mandated erosion control measures be in place and to adhere to other aspects of the contract.

TRPA officials went back out to the site on June 7 and said the company was still violating the permit. Stewart was given 24 hours to fix the problems or have the site shutdown. TRPA will be back out there this afternoon to see where the project stands.

“TRPA is continuing to investigate this incident for potential civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day for each code violation, and is also working with Caltrans and California State Parks on a plan to clean up and restore areas impacted by this unfortunate incident,” Lotshaw said.

Because this is an ongoing investigation the number of violations has not been determined.

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Publisher’s note: There is profanity in the video that may be offensive to some people.