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Sierra Club Lawsuits

Lake Tahoe Region Spared from Sprawling Development in Latest Ruling

Case Updates:

September 25, 2006

On September 6, 2006, the Sierra Club and a coalition of local environmental groups entered a final agreement with Placer County and all the major landowners in the widely treasured Martis Valley, putting an end to the two and half year campaign to protect the integrity of this scenic region. After winning the challenge to the sprawl-friendly county plan last year, the environmental groups entered into a series of historic agreements over the major individual projects proposed in the valley. These agreements allow for growth where development makes the most sense while protecting watershed resources, wildlife habitat, and raising a projected $100 million to preserve open space and provide affordable housing. This optimal outcome is the direct result of coordination and extensive planning on the part of groups such as Sierra Watch, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation, and others. These groups worked closely with developers to minimize the footprint that development of this region would have, ensuring that the Martis Valley’s scenic natural beauty will be preserved for future generations.

May 3, 2005

Nestled between Lake Tahoe and the town of Truckee in Placer County lies Martis Valley, a picturesque and small-town community that is plagued with horrendous traffic congestion during the ski season and summer months. Unfortunately, the quintessential character of the region recently came under attack by powerful development interests who sought to add as many as 8,600 new homes, expand the highway, and more than double the area’s population against the will of local residents. Sierra Club, represented by Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, joined a coalition to stop the County’s green light to sprawling overdevelopment, and has now won the important legal battle to save the area from significant air pollution, water pollution, destruction of forestland, and loss of wildlife habitat. The case, and the victory, helped combine legal action with grassroots organizing, local public education, and media strategies as part of an overall strategic litigation plan.

Details and Documents:

News Articles:

Settlement ends Martis dispute
September 20, 2006 by Gus Thomson Auburn Journal

More Information:

Decision, Part 1
Decision, Part 2
May, 2005 - Superior Court, Placer County, California