WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT PUBLIC ACCESS TO ROYAL GORGE'S PLANS ON DONNER SUMMIT?

The rights of the public, insured by the California Public Records Act, to view documents submitted by developers is important in order to assure true public participation in all facets of the planning process.  If developers are allowed to have counties and other governmental agencies study and comment on their plans in secret, then the public will be shut out during the important formative stages of the project, when their input may help to shape the project in a way beneficial to all.  A "private" "draft" "hush-hush" study of plans between Placer County and Royal Gorge LLC virtually guarantees concerned citizens will be presented with a neatly wrapped "fait accompli",  and will cause grave concerns that the ensuing CEQA process is merely window-dressing swathed around a predetermined outcome.

Ideally, concerned citizens groups act as watchdogs on counties and governmental entities so that situations such as this mess with Placer County and Royal Gorge LLC shielding records from the public don't occur. We are lucky to have a vigilant homeowners group such as Serene Lakes Property Owners Association willing to go to bat for all of us; it would be ideal if other groups such as Donner Summit Area Association (DSAA) also step up to the plate. Whether or not DSAA has taken a stand for or against Royal Gorge LLC's development, it is imperative that they take a stand to support public access, as required by state law, to the plans, studies, and documents submitted to Placer County by Royal Gorge in the permitting process.  It is especially important for an organization such as DSAA, which hopes to involve the Summit Community in "visioning" a long range plan for the Community, to remain engaged in ensuring all citizens have genuine and unhampered access to public records involving development.

Let's hope all the Summit Groups can work together and be a true "Voice for the Mountains."