The site on Wednesday where Barton Health hopes to build a new hospital in Stateline.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Barton Health officials acknowledged Monday that they didn’t complete required work to prevent runoff from the weekend’s storm leaving the Stateline site where they hope to build a new hospital.
Officials with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency issued an order on Saturday after noting that erosion controls weren’t effective and that the site hadn’t been stabilized, which resulted in runoff from the site.
“Temporary erosion controls are not installed, and areas where these have been installed are not installed properly or functioning correctly, resulting in a discharge from the site,” Code Compliance Manager Steve Sweet wrote.
Public Information Officer Mindi Befu said the hospital has been working with the agency since December on a plan for the site to prevent runoff from going into Lake Tahoe.
“Barton did not complete the enhancements within enough time to be as effective as needed prior to the atmospheric river weather event beginning at the end of last week,” she said.
The National Weather Service gauge in South Lake Tahoe recorded 2.22 inches over 72 hours ending Monday morning. A gauge on Kingsbury Grade had 1.48 inches since 6:30 a.m. Friday.
“A weather event of this size creates challenges around the basin,” Befu said. “Extraordinary volumes of rain added to excessive stormwater entering the site. Barton engaged engineers and contractors under guidance from the TRPA to expedite enhanced stormwater management.”
The Agency has been concerned about the state of the property since Christmas Eve, following up on Jan. 7, Jan. 9 and finally on Saturday, according to TRPA’s letter.
“Indirect discharge to the water of Lake Tahoe occurred from inadequate best management practices and from the site not being properly stabilized,” Sweet wrote.
Sweet said that plan wasn’t submitted until Jan. 28 and didn’t allow enough time to implement it, resulting in more sediment discharge on Friday and Saturday.
A comment period for an environmental assessment for the proposal has been extended to Friday. Written comments will be accepted at BartonProject@trpa.gov, or by mail to PO Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449.
“Barton has a long-standing commitment as a good steward of Lake Tahoe. Protecting Lake Tahoe and the surrounding environment remains a priority,” Befu said. “Barton recognizes the important role best management practices have in protecting Lake Tahoe and is committed to meeting these requirements.”
She said that Barton will finish implementation of the plan and will follow TRPA and Douglas County guidance.
The proposal to move Barton Hospital to Stateline has been controversial as neighbors oppose the project.