We hope everyone is safe and well.  Despite social distancing, the Friends of Olympic Valley have continued to work on projects focused on Squaw Valley.  Typically, this involves working with other organizations and dedicated locals to further mutual goals.

Below is a summary of recent major projects in the Valley as well as the meeting status of some community organizations.

SQUAW CREEK RESTORATION:

The Friends of Squaw Creek, working with Trout Unlimited, have obtained grants to restore the north meadow adjacent to Squaw Valley Road and also address some concerns about Squaw Creek.  Trench drains were installed during the 1960 Olympics to remove water from the parking lot, but these channels quickly shunt water to the creek thereby drying the meadow.  By placing “willow fascines” and sod plugs in these channels, more water is now retained in the north meadow. Additionally, this fall, plans call for stabilization of several Squaw Creek stream banks as well as placing “beaver dam analogues” into the creek to slow its flow and help deposit sediment within the channel in order to reverse incision and reconnect the creek to the meadow.

FIRESAFE COMMUNITY STATUS ACHIEVED: 

A Committee was formed last summer to apply for and qualify Squaw Valley as a “FIRESAFE COMMUNITY”.  The proposed boundaries of the Firesafe Community are the same the existing boundaries of the Squaw Valley Fire District. To be eligible, a community must take steps each year to make landscape and residences increasingly fire resistant.  The benefits are a safer community, the potential ability to obtain grants for funding larger projects locally, and improved insurability (in some cases with reduced premiums).

Our application was approved with the help of the Squaw Valley Fire Department and other major stakeholders in Squaw Valley including Alterra Ski Corp, the Resort at Squaw Creek, and Granite Chief Management. To learn more about becoming a Firesafe Community, refer to our website at

https://www.ovfirewise.net/

In order to maintain this certification, an action plan must be followed. This plan, by and large, is governed by the annual Fire Defensible Space inspection which requires correcting firewise deficiencies around our homes, and every year, an accounting must be submitted to Firewise USA of the hours and/or dollars spent in that effort. Therefore, everyone needs to keep track of the hours and/or dollars spent between now and snowfall on items like:

• Tree and branch removal
• Raking of pine needles and leaves from roofs
• Lawn maintenance
• Removing flammable items away from your house
• Participating in wildfire evacuation drills

We have created a simple on-line form to help you keep track of your efforts:

Record your Firewise Time Here!

GREEN WASTE DAY JUNE 13TH:

Tahoe Truckee Sierra Waste (TTSD) will have free green waste dumpsters for your defensible space debris on June 13th from 7am to 2pm located at Station 21, 305 Squaw Valley Rd.

SQUAW VALLEY MAC AND DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE:

 Neither of these organizations have met since the lockdown began, but if anything of importance comes up, the meetings will be convened by virtual video conferencing. You can sign up for meeting agendas and minutes at  https://www.placer.ca.gov/2530/Squaw-Valley-Municipal-Advisory-Council

SV PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT AND SV MUTUAL WATER COMPANY:

The SVPSD  has continued to meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 8:30AM. The meetings have been held by virtual video conferencing.  Details at https://www.svpsd.org

The SVMWChas also continued to hold its meetings (see their website) on Zoom.  More details can be found at  http://www.squawvalleymutualwater.com

OLYMPIC MEADOW PRESERVE:

The 30-acre parcel that was the home of Wayne and Sandy Poulsen is once again for sale (asking price $15 million).  It is zoned for a potential of 300 bedrooms. As many of you recall, there was a significant effort by the Truckee Donner Land Trust and the SV Public Service District to purchase this parcel on behalf of the community and to preserve it mostly as open space.  Unfortunately, the acquisition failed, but there is still strong community interest in finding a way to preserve this iconic property for the public.

SQUAW VALLEY PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION: 

The SVPOA  typically hosts a Memorial weekend breakfast at the Fire Department, a valley-wide volunteer cleanup day, and an annual meeting to update residents on issues of interest in Squaw Valley.  This year’s event will not be held as usual, so in order to keep abreast of valley news and activities please consider membership in the SVPOA if you are not already a member.  Their website is  https://squawvalleypoa.com

SIERRA NEVADA WINTER SPORTS MUSEUM: 

The Museum is still in process of completing their environmental questionnaire so that Placer County can evaluate the project and its impacts.  The SNOW foundation prefers to locate the museum in the SV Community Park, and additional community meetings are planned to further consider this proposal.  Details can be found on their website: https://www.thesnowmuseum.org

RECREATIONAL OPENINGS IN SQUAW VALLEY:

The bicycle trails are now open for running, walking and riding, but social distancing must still be observed.

The Pickleball courts are also open with restrictions.  The playground and restrooms remain closed.

Currently, the ski area remains closed, but there are some Stage 2 facilities (grocery, restaurants) open in the Village (please check their website for current information).

The Member Locker room is now open by appointment by calling Squaw Valley Security.  You must wear a mask, gloves and present a photo ID for access.

There are plans to open the golf course at the Resort at Squaw Creek before the end of May.

Please review the current rules relating to the Coronavirus restrictions on the Placer County website and observe mask and social distancing regulations.