GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH

Lakeside property owners are concerned about potential damage to their private property if Royal Gorge LLC is permitted to increase the height of the dam on Dulzura from its historical level. There are fears trees will die, low lying properties will become swampier, and hardscape and foundations may be damaged.

Royal Gorge LLC, on the other hand, as present owner of the lake bottom, apparently owns quite a bit of the greenbelt that abuts private property. It's hard to tell in some cases where private property stops, and the greenbelt begins--and in the past it hasn't mattered, because the lake bottom owner wasn't proposing to raise the water level, swamping the two little islands, and the shores of Serena and Dulzura.

Can they do it now? I think not, and here's why. Some lakeside owners have easements across their property to grant access to the greenbelt, and all lakeside owners have a duty to refrain from any actions that will cause harm to the greenbelt. The various subdivisions undoubtedly have different rules regarding this, but everyone (up until now) understood the importance of maintaining the greenbelt, because it looks lovely, and because it helps stabilize the shoreline, and mediate flow of water into the lake. The vegetation also acts as a filter to protect water quality.

Royal Gorge LLC as owner of the lakebottom has an even greater duty to maintain the greenbelt, as it may take no actions that threaten the water quality delivered by SLCWD, who holds the rights to the water in the lake. Let's hope Royal Gorge LLC is fully aware of this duty, and in their push to develop the Serene Lakes and Donner Summit area they're also aware of the perils of pursuing riches--some advice from Robert Burn's "Green Grow the Rushes"-

"The worldly race may riches chase

And riches still may fly them oh

And when at last they catch them fast

Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them oh"

And a toast to Robert Burn's birthday tomorrow, January 25 (1759).