Sawmill Poses Threat to Public Safety

Our group has several critical objectives we urge the Nevada County Planning Commission (PC) and Board of Supervisors to consider:

1. Deny Approval of the Sawmill Project: Reject the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).

2. Deny Approval of the Glu-Lam Factory.

3. Pause the Approval and CEQA Review Processes: Allow sufficient time for community discussions to understand the projects and their impacts, especially since there has been inadequate outreach in the Town of Truckee.

4. Extend the Hearing Date: Postpone until fall or winter 2024.

5. Require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR): An EIR is necessary instead of an MND due to significant and underestimated impacts - for noise, traffic safety, property values, and effects on neighboring properties and surrounding community.

6. Establish a Separate Ingress and Egress at the Top of Highway 89 Hill (South of Klondike Flat Rd. at OHV):

   1. Provide an emergency evacuation route.

   2. Reduce noise from Jake brakes and emissions from trucks.

   3. Decrease air pollution affecting residential properties.

   4. Eliminate traffic on Klondike Flat Road (KFR), a residential access road.

   5. Avoid the need to realign KFR as currently proposed.

   6. Ensure traffic safety on KFR, preventing truck-human interactions.

7. Install Dedicated Turn Lanes on Highway 89 at the KFR Intersection: Improve public highway safety in both directions.

8. Limit Hours of Operation: Restrict to Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, to preserve the enjoyment of our properties. The current proposal allows operation from Monday-Saturday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

9. Install Sidewalks/Bike Paths: Enhance pedestrian and public safety.

10. Require Design Review by Neighbors: Minimize light pollution and ensure other design elements meet community standards. 

Impact Analysis:

Noise: Logging and lumber trucks will generate excessive noise from Jake brakes going downhill and from revving gears going uphill at the Highway 89/KFR intersection.

Air Quality: Increased diesel emissions from trucks will settle in the low point at Prosser Creek, adversely affecting nearby residences. 

We believe these actions are essential to protect our community's health, safety, and quality of life.

Sincerely,
Friends of Prosser Truckee
friendsofprossertruckee@outlook.com