Sky Tavern light plan will permanently change Reno mountain view
Re: “Lights OK’d for Sky Tavern,” April 8:
The Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company stands in firm opposition to the recently approved night skiing operations at Sky Tavern Ski Area, with grave concerns over environmental impact, economic feasibility, community disruption and increased safety risks.
MRPOWC recognizes and applauds Sky Tavern’s commendable efforts in fostering outdoor sports among Reno’s youth through their Junior Ski Programs. This initiative has not only introduced countless children to the joys and challenges of skiing, but also has played a pivotal role in promoting physical activity and appreciation for the great outdoors within our community. The dedication of Sky Tavern to enriching the lives of young Reno residents through these programs has garnered significant local support. It stands as a testament to their commitment to positive community engagement.
The proposed lighting for the night skiing operation, equivalent in scale to eight Walmart parking lots, is set to cast an intense glow over the area. This artificial brightness will reflect off the snow-covered landscape, causing Mount Rose to emanate a glow akin to downtown Reno.
Dark skies at risk
The ambient light pollution from this operation will not only disrupt the natural beauty of our night skies, but will fundamentally alter the character of our mountain landscape. A critical point of contention is Sky Tavern’s environmental impact assessment regarding the proposed lighting. The assessment, based on the installation of a single test light, falls significantly short of providing a realistic understanding of the impact of the 73 lights planned for installation. This inadequate assessment raises serious questions about the actual environmental footprint of the night skiing operation, particularly given the scale of light pollution it could introduce.
The MRPOWC is compelled to highlight that the proposed night skiing operations blatantly disregard the Mount Rose Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and the Washoe County General Plan, both of which are instrumental in safeguarding the area’s natural beauty and maintaining dark night skies. This initiative not only threatens the scenic integrity of Mount Rose, but also undermines the community’s longstanding commitment to environmental preservation and adherence to established local guidelines.
Adding to the concern is the decision to proceed with the lighting installation despite explicit recommendations against such action by Washoe Country engineering staff. These professionals, who are wellversed in zoning regulations and community planning, had advised against the approval, citing potential adverse impacts and inconsistencies with community standards and environmental stewardship.
We forecast a challenging future for the night skiing initiative due to the economic vulnerabilities of the project and the heightened risk of potentially fatal accidents, especially among participating children, and we believe the program will fail within a short span of three years. The community must weigh the economic ambitions of this project against the irrevocable loss of our night sky’s natural beauty and the unacceptable risk it poses to our children.
The MRPOWC questions the necessity of this extensive night-time operation, suggesting that alternatives such as expanding midweek day skiing could be considered. This would align more closely with Sky Tavern’s traditional operations and the natural rhythms of our environment.
Snowmaking equipment also a concern
There also has been a lack of review regarding the proposed snowmaking systems. The introduction of snowmaking equipment raises serious questions about potential noise pollution and its impact on our community and local wildlife.
It’s also unclear whether the operational noise levels of the snowmaking equipment will exceed local ordinances. This concern was echoed by Washoe County Board of Adjustment member Kathie Julian during the April 4 special-use permit review meeting. Julian, drawing from her experience living near Diamond Peak Ski Resort, questioned the anticipated noise levels from Sky Tavern’s proposed operations and the absence of a satisfactory response from Sky Tavern management.
Our main concern is that the scale of this project is unsustainable for Sky Tavern’s size and staff, demonstrated abilities from past projects. Three million gallons of water storage for 143 skiable acres is far greater than is needed on this size mountain. Diamond Peak has two 225,000-gallon tanks to make snow for 655 skiable acres. Mt. Rose has 5 million gallons for 2,900 acres.
Rehabbing the old lodge or building proper storage for the new snow cats may be a better way to allocate funds. The heart and dedication of the staff is not in question; it is the viability of the new plan in relation to the area and their capability.
Sky Tavern has made significant investments in their mountain bike program; however, their old lifts are incapable of accommodating mountain bikes. We’re surprised that upgrading the lifts, which would enhance winter and summer capacity, is not their priority.
Take another look at decision
We urge the Sky Tavern Ski Area management, the Washoe County Board of Adjustment and the relevant authorities to revisit this decision with a broader perspective, considering our community’s long-term environmental, economic and social implications. Sustainable development should enhance, not diminish, the natural and community assets we hold dear.
The MRPOWC calls for an immediate reassessment of the night skiing proposal, advocating for a transparent and inclusive decision-making process that prioritizes the well-being of the entire Truckee Meadows community and preserving our cherished natural environment.
To express your concerns or to support our cause, please contact the Washoe County Board of Adjustment at washoe311@washoecounty.gov.
For additional information about the Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company, please contact Sally Broili, president of the Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company at ssbroili@yahoo.com.
The Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company is dedicated to managing and preserving domestic water for its membership, representing the property owners of the Mount Rose area, committed to the stewardship of our community’s environmental integrity, safety, and overall quality of life. We champion responsible and sustainable development that respects our natural landscapes, aligns with community values, and ensures the well-being and prosperity of future generations.