Dear Editor; On Feb 15th the Board had an agenda item to discuss Independence Lake access. Many on the audience had taken off work to attend the meeting and express their views. The problem is that The Nature Conservancy purchased a strip of land around Independence Lake using $15 million in tax money and locked the gates that provide access to the public owned lake. For an hour we were subjected to the planner listing every reason he could come up with why the county had no road to the lake. Part of his ramblings is how objective he is and he just deals with the facts. Wow, it wasn't hard to see how he was leading the Supervisors. Finally one Supervisor did ask how long this presentation was going to last and after a few more minutes of ramblings the meeting preceded. The TNC and the Friends of Independence Lake both had Lawyers to express their stands. The TNC wanted to use the delay tactic and the Friends wanted an access decision. The County Counsel talked on and it seemed as he did not suggest a decision and delay was better for him. The public spoke with overwhelming support of the county granting access. Supervisor Schlefstein made a motion for the County to provide access; he received no 2nd from the other four supervisors. This could be compared to the Loyalton swimming pool decision, to be put to vote, a motion was made and no one would 2nd it. The district 4 Supervisor said he would not support anything that had language of power boats being used in the lake. Now this Supervisor seemed to be taking ownership of the lake it sounded like, remember the lake belongs to the public, not the TNC or the County. The question at hand was the public's access to the lake. Supervisor Nunes worked hard to come up with something, and he did. It was something he could get votes for. From what it sounded like his motion was to say that access should be provided and they supported access. This was a long way from deciding that the public will have access and the county would own up to a road to the lake. When election time comes remember who voted for the people and who voted for the TNC that used $15 million of your tax dollars to purchase the strip of property around the lake and deny access to the public owned lake. Not giving Supervisor Schlefstein a 2nd might as well been a vote for the TNC and no access. Thomas Dotta, Rural Loyalton To: The Board of Supervisors Re: Independence Lake My name is Rachael Lewis and I am currently 40 years old. When I was three weeks old, my parents took me to Independence Lake. My parents, my brother, my aunt and uncle and my cousins were all there too. My family couldn’t believe what a happy baby I was, I was at Independence Lake. Every year for the next 39 years, Independence Lake is where we went for our family vacations. I looked forward all year to that one week in the mountains away from the city. Independence Lake holds an extremely special place in my heart, with memories so priceless it would take me hours upon hours to describe, so I can say with great enthusiasm that it is probably my number one favorite spot in the whole world. I grew up at Independence Lake from toddler to teens to motherhood. I even had my wedding at Independence, I have never been to a more beautiful and meaningful wedding before or after. Independence Lake is where I could be myself, meet wonderful people, commune with nature, play in the lake, cry, laugh and sing around the camp fires and go fishing with my Dad and have conversations with him that we never would have had without Independence Lake. My father began going to Independence Lake with his father and mother in 1950 and when he met my mom in 1966, began taking her. My father passed away suddenly in 2004 and I have made it a point to make sure that I fulfill my mothers requests “Take me to Independence Lake”. Since my father’s death, I have continued going with my son and mother to what until now has been untainted. My mother became ill in 2008 and is confined to a wheel chair and until last year I was still able to take her to her favorite places to look out on the Lake. I cannot describe how sickening and saddened I was to hear last year that not only could we not get in, but the road had been changed so there was no lake access. How do I take my mom to see her favorite spots before she dies? How will I share this lake with my son and his children and have them experience the magic of Independence Lake? Where will I find my Independence without Independence Lake? It brings tears to my eyes writing this. Please, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Keep Independence open to those who have enjoyed and nourished it for decades and for the future generations who it will be passed down to. Sincerely and Respectfully, Rachael & Sharon Lewis Reno, Nevada Sierra County Board of Supervisors Re: Independence Lake To Whom it Might Concern, Several months ago I appeared before you to express my concerns regarding all of the changes taking place at Independence Lake, from change in ownership of the Land previously owned by NvEnergy, to the unentitled control and restrictions that the Nature Conservancy and their friends are trying to demonstrate. This group, whoever they really are, finagled enough money from public funds to purchase the “Land” around Independence Lake. They cannot own the bed of the lake since it belongs to the people of the State of California and the water belongs to TMWA, the water purveyor for the Reno/Sparks area. I have searched and been unable to find anywhere, a document giving ownership or control from either of these entities to any group or individual. This group, whoever it really is, has also restricted access to the lake, which has a history of over 100 years of being used freely by the general public. A general public that has historically taken care to keep the area and the lake in a beautifully attractive area to visit. Accessible to all who wished to visit without restrictions that require everyone to hike a substantial distance and restricts access to those with handicaps or senior in age. My first trip to Independence Lake was the summer of 1969. I have spent time up there every year since, with the exception of this past summer. Because of back surgery last year I was unable to walk anymore then a couple of hundred feet and definitely unable to walk over rocky ground and step of logs and bushes. I might add that just a couple of months ago I had a second back surgery and this year I will be 73 years old. It bothers me that this group that has assumed ownership, as if it is their own, is so intent on keeping me out of Independence Lake. Over the years I have had talks with them, at least those connected with the Nature Conservancy in Reno and they assured me, time and time again, that they would keep the lake open and accessible in a manner commensurate with the history of the lake. None of the actions that I am seeing gives any indication that this is even remotely the truth. At the time I spoke before the Supervisors last year, one of your members ask “Why should we be concerned about this?” and I brought to your attention the lose of revenues because this land was taken off of the tax rolls and all of the visitors/shoppers that use to come to enjoy the lake would not come anymore. I also mention that there is documentation that this group plans to raise $400 million + to continue to buy land and take it off of your tax roll. Maybe your budget is plush enough that this is not a concern to you??? However, I believe their efforts to purchase land at Lake of the Woods and Weber Lake will have an even greater effect on your budget in the future. I don’t believe your citizens (Voters) had this in mind when they elected you to look after their interest. Please, please do not ignore this issue and let it become the 900 pound gorilla in you community. It makes no difference that the people visiting Independence Lake are from California or Nevada or New York City; their dollars all spend the same. We love to come to your area and we do spend money every time we are there. If the beauty and atmosphere of Independence Lake, Lake of the Woods and Weber Lake are no longer accessible then we will find other places to go. Tom Young Just a retired private citizen Reno Nevada

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