Independence Lake fact sheet

Jim Hill

19 years ago

NAME:

Independence Lake — A Walt Disney Outdoor Division Project

LOCATION: The Independence lake – Mt. Lola area of California, approximately 10 miles north of Truckee, and outside the Lake Tahoe Basin.

WHO ARE THE PARTNERS: The Walt Disney Company has entered into a joint venture agreement with the Southern Pacific Land Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company. Disney is the general and operating partner, while Southern Pacific Land Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company are limited partners. Southern Pacific is contributing 7,300 acres and Sierra Pacific is contributing 2,200 acres, only a small fraction of which would be involved in actual development.

WILL PUBLIC LANDS BE INVOLVED? We see the project as being possible entirely on private lands now owned by the limited partners. However, there are approximately 10,000 acres of public land administered by the U.S. Forest Service adjacent to this private property, and we would expect some of this will continue to be available for skiing across or for hiking or camping, as it is now.

The Forest Service is conducting an dextensive land capability study covering both the private and public lands, entitled “The Little Truckee River Basin Study,” which is expected to be completed in 1975. No decisions will be made by the Forest Service as to the potential recreational use of its lands until the study is completed.

WHY DID THE DISNEY ORGANIZATION SELECT THIS LOCATION?

The U.S. Forest Service and Nevada County have designated the Independence Lake – Mt. Lola area as being appropriate for recreational development.

The development of the Independence Lake – Mt. Lola area for year-round outdoor family recreational use will help meet the public need in California for well-planned and well-managed recreation destinations.

The area represents the opportunity for developing its attractive outdoor rcreation potential (camping, hiking, skiing, etc.) without harmful impact on the present environment.

Its development will open up for public use, lands that have been used predominantly for private purposes, and should help to prevent further overcrowding of and reduce pressures on the Lke Tahoe basin.

During the last century, the lands in this area have been extensively used for logging and mining activities. Every natural resource in the area has been utilized except the recreational resource.

HOW WILL THE NEW PROJECT BE PLANNED? The master plan will be based on an environmental analysis and the Forest Service land capability study. The history and nature of the area tells us that it is ideally suited for recreational use. The land and environmental studies will tell you exactly where facilities should be located and what levels of development will be appropriate.

WHAT FACILITIES DO YOU EXPECT TO PROVIDE?

The project will offer to the public a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, both summer and winter. The extent and location of these facilities will be determined as we proceed with our land use planning. Basic to the concept, of course, would be a village to serve as a focal point for the recreational activities and which would offer the service required by recreational visitors.

The project would also contemplate accommodations, summer camping areas, trails for hiking and horseback riding, and winter sports facilities. The Disney organization is committed to providing recreational opportunities to familes andindividuals representing a wide range of income.

WHAT WOULD BE THE DESIGN CONCEPT? It is our plan to have a village designed with an architecturally consistent theme to complement the recreational atmosphere and opportunities of the area, offering a variety of facilities to meet the needs of vacationing families. It will be a village free of automobile traffic — uniquely American and based on the historical significane of the area.

WHAT ABOUT THE VARIOUS IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT?

A. Environmental. Initial studies indicate that more than 90% of this area will remain in its natural state. The necessary precautions will be outlined in the environmental analysis.

Soil investigations will determine building sites. The Disney organization will take the responsibility for installing sewerage treatment systems that will meet federal and state standards. Disney will establish an Environmental Protection Department to safeguard water quality and other environmental considerations. Water and electricity will be provided by the participating public utility, Sierra Pacific Power.

B. Aesthetic. Access will be by an improved existing road extending approximately 5 miles from State Highway 89.

The state highway is designated as a scenic highway. Therefore, secondary development between truckee and the project will be tightly controlled by law, thus preserving aesthetic values.

So far as traffic is concerned, the heavier amount is expected in summer, and present state highways are fully capable. It is a significant consideration that in a destination resort of the type we envision, a substantail number of guests come by means other than automobile, stay several days, and generally do not travel during peak periods.

No aspect of the recreational project will be visible from the scenic highway, and opportunities exist to select a village site from which skiing would not be visible.

C. Economic. The Independence Lake — Mt. Loa project will result in increased economic activity in the area, increased employment, and an increased tax base to the two California counties involved.

The economic contributions to the surrounding communities are being studed in depth, and the findings from these studies will be incorporated in our planning.

D. Sociological. We are aware that additional housing, schools, and other services will be required. We will work with the local agencies on meeting such requirements.

So far as the cost of additional community services is concerned, we see tax revenues generated by this project as providing more than adequate compensation, and all likelihood adding significantly to each jurisdiction’s resources.

WHAT INVESTMENT DO YOU ANTICIPATE? The level of development will be determined through an extensive environmental analysis which will deter the capabilities of the area.

This press release was originally issued by Walt Disney Productions on July 16, 1974