Placer County this week took action that will help the Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail through Donner Memorial State Park become a reality.

Placer County will be the lead when it comes to planning and designing the trail. Money will in part come from hotel taxes.

California Department of Parks and Recreation will oversee permitting and construction of the trail, and will be responsible for maintenance within its boundaries.

The 16-mile trail will re-create the original wagon route west over Donner Summit. It will go from Kingvale through Donner State Memorial Park in Truckee, following the original Overland Emigrant Trail but away from its remnants to protect its historical artifacts.

Environmental studies should be done a year from now, with public workshops planned in the months to come.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report