Environment
Environmental Improvements in 2006
Water quality improvement projects, revegetation, mountain cleanup, seed harvesting and application were all part of Squaw Valley USA's environmental enhancement work completed during the 2006 summer season. Environmental education programs in place for the upcoming winter include Sustainable Slopes Outreach and Earth Day celebrations.
This summer, Squaw Valley continued work on a multi-year Water Quality Improvement Program. This two-tier program includes the use of both 'source control measures' and 'sediment collection features' designed to meet several environmental improvement and sustainability goals. Where vegetation and source controls did not exist, Squaw Valley created collection features to allow sediment from runoff water to be trapped and collected. These features include rock-lined ditches, sediment basins and ponds. The rocks stabilize the soil and allow sediment to settle out of the water as it passes over them. Sediment basins and ponds provide an area for water to collect and sediment to fall out before water continues down stream.
The Reveg Department, an environmental improvement staff of eight workers planted hundreds of shrubs to augment natural vegetation and applied over 900 pounds of seed, 2 tons of organic fertilizer, 120 cubic yards of wood chips and 1,000 bales of straw to Squaw Valley's slopes to help stabilize potential erosion. Over 4,000 feet of straw waddles were installed by hand and secured by 6,000 wooden stakes for slope stabilization. In addition, Squaw Valley continued with the resort's native seed collection program. In this process, seeds are hand collected from the resort's slopes and added to the revegetation seed mix. The plants and seeds were watered regularly using several miles of temporary irrigation lines, installed by hand and fed by water trucks, to ensure proper root development and plant health.
Squaw Valley's efforts to improve and sustain the mountain's natural vegetation and riparian areas all contribute positively to water quality in Squaw Creek. The Valley's forested and revegetated land absorbs rain, refills under-ground aquifers, cleanses water, slows winter runoff, reduces flooding, and sustains overall watershed stability and resilience. To monitor the success of improvement efforts, Squaw Valley has continued with substantial and regular water quality and vegetation monitoring at dozens of sites within the watershed to ensure the continued health of the Squaw Valley ecosystem.
Squaw Valley's employees also conducted a mountain wide clean-up day where staff combed the slopes and roads within the resort collecting trash and debris left by visitors during the snowy winter season. Staff filled more than three dumpsters with items such as fallen signs, broken bamboo poles and ropes, plastic bottles and cans, trail maps and other debris.
To help educate winter guests about some of Squaw Valley's environmental programs, Squaw participates in Sustainable Slopes. The National Ski Area Association's (NSAA) environmental charter, Sustainable Slopes provides an opportunity to educate and encourage guests to do their part to help stop climate change by encouraging them to carpool. Squaw Valley offers a variety of ride sharing opportunities including daily shuttles, a partnership with the web based carpooling organization Alternetrides.com, as well as sponsorship of the local public transportation buses.
Earth Day, April 28 2007, offers another opportunity to educate guests about how they can help protect the environment. Squaw Valley's Earth Day events will again include educational and environmental booths, earth-friendly vendors, hands-on activities, arts & crafts, food and drink, mural and face painting for kids, and the annual recycling-themed Earth Day Eco-Parade.
For a complete listing of all Squaw Valley's USA's environmental programs visit www.squaw.com and click on the Sustainable Slopes Logo.