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Saturday, 04 July 2009 |
Devil’s Postpile to get trail money
Devil’s Postpile National Monument will get $55,000 in stimulus money to spend on its outdated trail system next year, Postpile Superintendent Deanna Dulen said recently. The money will pay for state youth crews to put in new steps and a hand rail to the monument, as well as other trail projects in the Red’s Meadow Valley.
Killer bikes?
Bicycles, not buses or cars, are actually the most dangerous vehicles on the road to Reds Meadow, Swall Meadows and other similar winding county roads, county officials said recently.
“In a recent traffic study, the worstsafety record went to bicyclists, then to motorcyclists, then to cars and buses,” said Mono County District 2 Supervisor Duane “Hap” Hazard. Most of the larger vehicles stick to the speed limit, but bike riders in particular can’t seem to resist going 65 mph in a 35 mph zone, he said.
Mono County just isn’t
the same
Mono County often has to struggle to meet state standards designed for more urban areas when it comes to providing workforce housing, Mono County Community Development Director Scott Burns said recently. The housing element of the county’s general plan – now being updated – is the only part of the plan that must be approved by the state. Burns said the state is “putting high pressure” on the county to provide more condominium-style housing, instead of affordable single family homes with a septic and well that most local residents prefer.
Government agency land could go to housing
As the county struggles to create enough workforce housing in a county with some of the highest property values in the state, all options are on the table. That includes looking at U.S. Forest Service, Caltrans and other agency land that once had employee housing on it, such as the Caltrans McGee Creek station, said county supervisor Hap Hazard. The land already often has wells and septic tanks and Hazard said he has identified about 65 parcels that might be suitable for workforce housing.
County gets new deputy
district attorney
Mono County has a new deputy district attorney, following the resignation of Kyle Graham. Kimberly Hunt has served internships with District Attorney offices ranging from El Dorado to Santa Clara and also served with the US. Federal District Court in Northern California. Her salary will be $136,000, including salary and benefits.
Centennial Ranch
conservation easement passes
Another piece of the Bridgeport Valley ranchland may get permanent protection, after the Mono County Board of Supervisors approved putting 718 acres of working ranchland into a conservation easement last week.
The historic Centennial Ranch in Bridgeport Valley is a working cattle ranch owned by long-time rancher John Lacey.
The easement was appraised at $1.4 million and will be paid in part by a $522,100 Caltrans grant to the Eastern Sierra Land Trust. The land trust is now seeking matching funds from the state and federal government.
Granite Construction gets
Lee Vining airport contract
The Lee Vining airport will get a major facelift this summer, following the award of a $2.5 million contract to Watsonville-based Granite Construction Company to reconstruct the airport.
Construction will begin in early July with the work expected to be completed in the fall.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 July 2009 )
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