Save Our Tahoma Wilderness

It is no secret that Tahoma’s water infrastructure needs to be revamped in order to provide more adequate services for our community. We fully support this goal.

Although this project is necessary for our community, a proposed staging site for heavy equipment would negatively affect a delicate area that serves as an access point to several hiking trails within Tahoe National Forest and Sugar Pine Point State Park. 

The proposed location is in the forest past the green gate at the top of Antelope Way near the Water District's tanks. 
This staging area would be a 2-3 acre zone, cleared of vegetation, and possibly surrounded by a chain link fence. It will house heavy equipment and a fuel storage tank. Daily traffic from the construction vehicles will result in permanent soil compaction and creates the risk of sparks and fire in our tinder dry forest.

 

The noise and vibrations from heavy equipment will also disturb local wildlife, like our neighbor, the protected and endangered Northern Goshawk. Last year a breeding pair produced three fledglings in this proposed area. Goshawks are known to return to their nests year after year, and have already been sighted in the area this year.

 

 

The forest will take decades to recover. We are trading a permanent forest asset for a temporary logistical convenience.

Fortunately, the water agency has identified several developed paved alternative staging sites, areas perfectly suited for this work, areas that won't touch a single tree in our forest. By simply shifting the equipment to these developed spots, we can upgrade our utilities while keeping Tahoma’s heart whole. We believe we can support our community’s progress while maintaining our thriving wild spaces. 

Join us in urging the Water District to formally adopt the developed alternative sites into the project plan to ensure our infrastructure upgrades do not come at the cost of our community’s natural and recreational resources.