SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (March 10, 2024) – In the wake of a recent snowstorm that blanketed the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe, residents find themselves facing more than just the aftermath of a picturesque winter scene. The storm that swept through the region left not only deep snow but also a trail of frustration and anger, as snowplows failed to clear the roads promptly.
Last weekend’s snowfall prompted the deployment of snowplows to tackle the challenging conditions. However, the El Dorado County residents, particularly those along Upper Truckee Road and its sidestreets, were left grappling with the aftermath of inadequate plowing efforts. Some areas saw only one pass by a plow each day, while others, like Upper Truckee Road, went untouched for days, leaving residents to navigate through deep snow.
El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine took immediate action after receiving numerous phone calls about the dire road conditions. Determined to grasp the severity of the situation firsthand, Laine traversed the roads herself, discovering impassable routes and narrow, inadequately cleared paths. Collaborating with the county’s Department of Transportation (DOT), Laine delved into the reasons behind the breakdown in service and sought solutions for improving plow deployment.
“The circumstances they were experiencing were awful,” Laine empathized. “Everything was as bad, or worse than they described.”
Laine’s investigations revealed a frustrating reality: the department was understaffed, and despite having more equipment than available drivers, this issue had not been addressed proactively. She expressed her disappointment, emphasizing that staffing concerns should have been resolved months earlier.
Currently, the snow removal workforce in the lake portion of the county falls short of the ideal numbers. While there should be 19 employees dedicated to snow removal, only 9 are full-time, with an additional 3 seasonal workers. Night shift coverage is limited to just two staff members. In response to the crisis, seven employees from the West Slope were brought in to assist on Monday, finally addressing some untouched roads.
Laine acknowledged the dedication of the existing crew, stating, “They care and are working the best they can with what they have.”
A notable contrast emerged when Laine compared El Dorado County’s situation to the City of South Lake Tahoe. She highlighted the city’s effective snow removal strategy, underlining their increased pay rates and well-equipped department, which operates 24/7 during storms. Laine expressed her desire for a similar setup to benefit county residents.
The passage of Measure S in November 2022 aimed to address these concerns, allocating a four percent increase in the transient occupancy tax for snow removal and road maintenance in the unincorporated Tahoe Area. Despite the anticipated annual revenue of approximately $2,500,000, challenges persist.
While new equipment was acquired, setbacks occurred during this storm, including an incident where a driver collided with one of the newest graders, rendering it out of service with only 20 hours of use.
Compounding the challenges, the closure of I80 redirected an influx of vehicles to US50, with many using the unplowed North Upper Truckee Road. This led to additional roadblocks, necessitating the towing of stranded cars and big rigs and diverting crucial time from plow drivers.
Furthermore, the county faces staff losses to the City and Caltrans due to higher pay rates in those departments. Laine emphasized the need for a comprehensive upgrade to the snowplow program, calling for improved workforce conditions, higher pay, and streamlined processes.
“Our snow plow program is in need of upgrading,”
Laine declared.
“It’s been slipping and falling apart for a while now, and this storm highlighted the fact that this department needs better tools, like a better workforce. They need a good work environment and good pay, as well as good processes.”
Laine expressed optimism that the DOT recognizes the urgency of addressing these issues before the next winter season, asserting,
“We have enough time to fix this by next winter. We need to address snowplow services much as the City has.”
