In the article about Tahoe Donner open space concerns, there is no mention of how any of the proposed building complexes will affect the cross country trails and hiking and biking. So far only a “group of homeowners” is concerned because not everyone who uses the trails in both the summer and winter even knows about proposals. I only heard about it from a neighbor by chance last week; I didn't get a mailing that was supposed to have been sent.

There was no mention of notifying the Tahoe Donner cross-country customers who don't live in Tahoe Donner of the plans. All three of the proposed open space sites would be on or right next to trails. The Skislope sites would be on the Crazyhorse ski trail where it parallels Skislope and on or by the trail that intersects with the downhill area. The Alder Creek site would be at the trail junctions of Lions Leap, Sundance, Tumbleweed and the trail to Euer Valley. These areas are supposed to protected. With offices and storage, the buildings would be in use all year long, so the road that is used to get to the trail junctions would have to be paved and plowed, and cross country trails diverted, as the trail to the junction would be paved over. This is about three quarters of a mile into the trail system, not just at the edge, and a building complex with half an acre of payment and equipment isn't an appealing sight when skiers are used to seeing a view that feels like wilderness.

For more information, or to sign a petition, e-mail savetdtrails@hotmail.com. See plans at www.tahoedonner.com, under “Forestry Project” tab, and e-mail the board with your opinion.

Sharon Fong

Truckee