FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company Decisively Opposes Sky Tavern's Night Skiing
Proposal Ci�ng Unprecedented Environmental and Community Concerns

Reno, NV – April 5, 2024 – The Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company (MRPOWC) stands in firm
opposi�on to the recently approved night skiing opera�ons at Sky Tavern Ski Area, with grave concerns
over environmental impact, economic feasibility, community disrup�on, and increased safety risks.

MRPOWC recognizes and applauds Sky Tavern's

commendable efforts in fostering outdoor sports among
Reno's youth through their Junior Ski Programs. This
ini�a�ve has not only introduced countless children to the
joys and challenges of skiing but has also played a pivotal
role in promo�ng physical ac�vity and apprecia�on for the
great outdoors within our community. The dedica�on of
Sky Tavern to enriching the lives of young Reno residents
through these programs has garnered significant local
support. It stands as a testament to their commitment to
posi�ve community engagement.

The proposed ligh�ng for the night skiing opera�on, The current view of the Sierra Nevada mountains
equivalent in scale to eight Walmart parking lots, is set to is set to change for over 200,000 residents.
cast an intense glow over the area. This ar�ficial
brightness will reflect off the snow-covered landscape,
causing Mount Rose to emanate a glow akin to
downtown Reno. "The ambient light pollu�on from this
opera�on will not only disrupt the natural beauty of our
night skies but will fundamentally alter the character of
our mountain landscape," emphasized John Williams,
area resident, and IVGID city infrastructure expert.

A cri�cal point of conten�on is Sky Tavern's

environmental impact assessment regarding the
proposed ligh�ng. The assessment, based on the
installa�on of a single test light, falls significantly short of
providing a realis�c understanding of the impact of the 73
lights planned for installa�on. "This inadequate
assessment raises serious ques�ons about the actual
environmental footprint of the night skiing opera�on,
par�cularly given the scale of light pollu�on it could The lighted area will be equivalent to eight South
introduce," stated Benjamin Kleinbach, a property owner Reno Walmart Parking lots.
adjacent to Sky Tavern.

The MRPOWC is compelled to highlight that the proposed night skiing opera�ons blatantly disregard the
Mount Rose Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and the Washoe County General Plan, both of
which are instrumental in safeguarding the area's natural beauty and maintaining dark night skies. This
ini�a�ve not only threatens the scenic integrity of Mount Rose but also undermines the community's
longstanding commitment to environmental preserva�on and adherence to established local guidelines.

Adding to the concern is the decision to proceed with the ligh�ng installa�on despite explicit
recommenda�ons against such ac�on by Washoe Country engineering staff. These professionals, who
are well-versed in zoning regula�ons and community planning, had advised against the approval, ci�ng
poten�al adverse impacts and inconsistencies with community standards and environmental
stewardship.

Further compounding our concerns, homeowner and ski industry expert Chris Minnes has forecasted a
challenging future for the night skiing ini�a�ve. Minnes points to the economic vulnerabili�es of the
project and the heightened risk of poten�ally fatal accidents, especially among par�cipa�ng children,
predic�ng the program's failure within a short span of three years. "The community must weigh the
economic ambi�ons of this project against the irrevocable loss of our night sky's natural beauty and the
unacceptable risk it poses to our children," Minnes highlighted.

The MRPOWC ques�ons the necessity of this extensive night-�me opera�on, sugges�ng that alterna�ves
such as expanding midweek day skiing could be considered. This would align more closely with Sky
Tavern's tradi�onal opera�ons and the natural rhythms of our environment.

Adding to the litany of concerns, resident John Williams, who has lived adjacent to Sky Tavern for 17
years, highlighted the lack of review regarding the proposed snowmaking systems. "The introduc�on of
snowmaking equipment raises serious ques�ons about poten�al noise pollu�on and its impact on our
community and local wildlife," John Williams expressed. He voiced apprehensions about whether the
opera�onal noise levels would exceed local ordinances.

This concern was echoed by Washoe County Board of Adjustment member Kathie Julian during the April
4 SUP review mee�ng. Drawing from her experience living near Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Julian
ques�oned the an�cipated noise levels from Sky Tavern's proposed opera�ons and the absence of a
sa�sfactory response from Sky Tavern management.

"Our main concern is that the scale of this project is unsustainable for Sky Tavern's size, staff, and
demonstrated abili�es from past projects. Three million gallons of water storage for 143 skiable acres is
far greater than is needed on this size mountain." John Williams said. "Diamond Peak has two 225,000-
gallon tanks to make snow for 655 skiable acres. Mt. Rose has 5 million gallons for 2,900 acres.
Rehabbing the old lodge or building proper storage for the new snow cats may be a beter way to
allocate funds. The heart and dedica�on of the staff is not in ques�on; it is the viability of the new plan
in rela�on to the area and their capability."

Chris Minnes added to John Williams's sen�ment, saying, "Sky Tavern has made significant investments
in their mountain bike program; however, their old li�s are incapable of accommoda�ng mountain bikes.
I'm surprised that upgrading the li�s, which would enhance winter and summer capacity, is not their
priority."

We urge the Sky Tavern Ski Area management, the Washoe County Board of Adjustment, and the
relevant authori�es to revisit this decision with a broader perspec�ve, considering our community's
long-term environmental, economic, and social implica�ons. "Sustainable development should enhance,
not diminish, the natural and community assets we hold dear," Sally Broili, Mount Rose Water Company,
stated.

The MRPOWC calls for an immediate reassessment of the night skiing proposal, advoca�ng for a
transparent and inclusive decision-making process that priori�zes the well-being of the en�re Truckee
Meadows community and preserving our cherished natural environment.

To express your concerns or to support our cause, please contact:

Washoe County Board of Adjustment at washoe311@washoecounty.gov

For addi�onal informa�on about the Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company, please contact:
Sally Broili, President, Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company
Email: ssbroili@yahoo.com

About Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company

The Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company is dedicated to managing and preserving domes�c
water for its membership, represen�ng the property owners of the Mount Rose area, commited to the
stewardship of our community's environmental integrity, safety, and overall quality of life. We champion
responsible and sustainable development that respects our natural landscapes, aligns with community
values, and ensures the well-being and prosperity of future genera�ons.