My partners and I have created the Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort in consultation and collaboration with the Sutter Creek community. Seven years in the making, the project plans are now going through final city reviews.

We have taken the time to ensure everyone has opportunities to review all aspects of the project and we have included a wide array of community benefits and amenities in response to the input we received. Together with our community outreach team, my partners and I have met with more than 1,500 residents to answer their questions and get their feedback. We have conducted more than 75 site tours with small groups and individuals. We have held 56 community workshops. We have participated in more than a dozen public meetings sponsored by the city. We have held more than 26 open houses. That is why it was so discouraging to read a recent commentary that was filled with so many misstatements about our proposed project (Aug. 22, "The greed of Gold Rush"). Reasonable people can disagree about the merits of most things. But what we don't want is to have a difference on the basic facts. When our project is complete, our endeavor will provide the following verifiable results:

- Fire protection: Future Gold Rush residents will provide about $750,000 a year for enhanced fire and paramedic protection for all of Sutter Creek. A new police and fire site has been designated along Ridge Road as requested by these agencies.

- School contribution and new school site: Gold Rush will fully pay all school fees and we are in the process of acquiring an appropriate site for a new school.

- Sewage treatment upgrade: Gold Rush will provide funds to upgrade the sewage treatment capacity to serve our project and Sutter Creek. Additionally, we will improve the overall water treatment to benefit the environment.

- Open space protection: Gold Rush will permanently dedicate 300 acres of open space and deed restrict an additional 200 acres that comprise the golf course. Currently, there is no conservation restriction on any of these 500 acres.

- Affordable housing: Gold Rush will contribute more than $1 million into an affordable housing trust fund. We will also construct residences to be affordable by design and support the construction of affordable second units.

- Oak tree preservation: We have agreed to have no net loss of oak trees. We will plant more than 13,000 new oak trees and acquire off-site lands (200 to 300 acres) to preserve currently unprotected oak woodland. Further, the project will permanently protect 300 acres of oak woodlands and open space on site and the oak trees remaining on the 200 acres of the golf course.

- Wetlands preservation: Stoney Creek, the only perennial water feature on the ranch, will receive permanent protection along its full watercourse.

- Bypass access: Gold Rush's Valley View connector will have direct access to the new Highway 49 bypass. In addition, Gold Rush will contribute to the Amador County Transportation Commission's regional traffic improvement fund.

- Support for area businesses: Our project will increase the population over time. But given its secluded location, there will be little direct impact on existing residential areas of Sutter Creek. We all have many friends who have small businesses and they are in great need of improved commerce. Gold Rush's residents and vacation ownership guests will assist in revitalizing our area shops and restaurants.

Gold Rush Ranch has been carefully developed to preserve the small town quality of life that has brought all of us to the area. It will provide community-wide benefits and environmental improvements. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at work (267-1441) or at home (267-0832).

Troy Claveran is a Gold Rush project partner and a Sutter Creek area resident.