In the eight years since the Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort project began to take shape, an incredible number of changes have occurred. Back in 2000, 911 was still just the phone number to dial in case of emergency. Prosperity was all around, but hadn't yet ignited the astronomical rise in home prices that would ultimately lead to today's mortgage chaos and real estate depression. Gasoline was $1.50 a gallon, which already seemed outrageously high.
Now, eight years and something like $20 million in developers' money later, the city of Sutter Creek has released a draft environmental impact report for Gold Rush. The report contains all the bad things that will happen to the city and the surrounding area if the project developers are allowed to have their way: increased traffic, oak tree removal, violation of the viewshed, school overcrowding, and added burdens on local police and fire departments, among others. The DEIR could be considered a comprehensive document, were it not for one essential flaw: It lists only negative impacts.
When the concept of an EIR was first introduced, in 1969, as part of the National Environmental Protection Act, it was meant to be "an assessment of the possible impact - positive or negative - that a proposed project may have on the environment."
In deference to the inventors' intent, there really should be a companion document, which could be called the BIR, a beneficial impact report. It would begin with the benefit to Sutter Creek that brought Troy Claveran and his investment buddies here in the first place. The city will have a place to spray the effluent that pours from the city's wastewater treatment plant, effluent that presently allows Castle Oaks Golf Club to maintain lush fairways, full water hazards and soft greens. In addition to providing the spray fields, Gold Rush would also provide the money needed to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to tertiary capability, millions of dollars that are going to need to come from somewhere rather soon. The BIR would show traffic, just not in a negative light. It would show how the thousands of residents of Gold Rush and its well-heeled golf and timeshare visitors would increase traffic over the ridge and down into the towns of Sutter Creek and Jackson, to fill the restaurants, shops and theaters.
Prosperity would be the most beneficial impact. When built, the Gold Rush golf course, driving range, restaurant and other businesses created there will impact the amount of sales tax collected in Sutter Creek. The recently released Municipal Services Review for Amador County pinpoints sales tax loss as the key fiscal element in the city of Sutter Creek's inability to provide adequate services.
The impact on local property taxes is obvious and readily apparent. The beneficial impact on the local job market is beyond estimation. The Gold Rush organization has a proven track record of hiring people from our local community and can be expected to continue to follow that policy when hiring in the future. The devastating economic downturn of the last two years, coupled with (perhaps causing) a dip in county population, is resulting in some shrinkage in student population. Gold Rush, though it anticipates only one-third of a child per home, will bolster the numbers and return the school district to levels needed for adequate state funding.
Impacts on public services, such as police and fire, will cut both ways. There will undoubtedly be increased loads, but amicable discussions have led to commitments of substantial economic benefits.
A BIR would also show the powerful impact on the local amenity scene, known to be a chronic source of complaint from residents and visitors alike. Gold Rush promises to create a challenging, top-quality golf course, on par with Claveran's Salmon Run in Brookings, Oregon, and StoneTree Golf Club, on the former site of the Renaissance Fair in Novato, where Gold Rush applicant Bill Bunce is managing partner.
When Claveran first arrived in Sutter Creek, with his infectious enthusiasm, confidence and bonhomie, the plan he presented seemed so simple and perfect. The city of Sutter Creek had a potentially disastrous problem approaching. The long-standing arrangement for disposal of treated effluent on the fairways of Castle Oaks golf course and onto spray fields near Ione was scheduled to expire in 2008. The city fathers and their golfing attorney, Brad Sullivan, latched on to the concept of creating a win-win situation by building a golf course, which could provide the necessary spray fields and an attractive amenity at the same time.
They reached out to Claveran, who combined all the desirable elements. He comes from a golfing family. He, his father, uncle and brother are all members of the PGA. He had local ties, having been a sports star at Bret Harte High School (and Grant Reynolds' greatest rival). Most importantly, he was just finishing his Oregon golf course project.
What definitely should be included in the BIR is the beneficial impact Claveran has had on many of the local hackers' golf game, present company included.
| Jerry Budrick |