Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board in November will decide how to spend money from a settlement agreement with Squaw Valley ski resort.

The public has until Oct. 14 to weigh in on the decision.

Through the mid- to late 1990s, Lahontan issued several orders to address various issues of non-compliance with Squaw Valley Ski Corporation (now Squaw Valley Resort). Lahontan referred the matter to the California Attorney General’s Office for further enforcement, and complaints were eventually issued by each party against the other. The parties settled their complaints in 2005. In part it required Squaw Valley to pay $900,000 and complete specific projects.

Lahontan received $354,187.67 from the Attorney General’s Office for money set aside and not spent by the Department of Justice for its legal fees in managing the agreement. The use of these funds is unrestricted for Lahontan.

Lahontan staff reached out to local nonprofit watershed groups to solicit potential water quality related projects that can be completed with these funds. Four projects were submitted from Friends of Squaw Creek, Truckee River Watershed Council, and the Alpine Watershed Group.

The Lahontan board will meet Nov. 9-10 in South Lake Tahoe to determine which project or portions of projects
to fund.

Submit written comments to Lahontan@waterboards.ca.gov. Put “Proposed Expenditure of Squaw Valley Consent Agreement Funds” in the subject line.