2006-2007 Cool Tag Sticker Program
Teaming up with CLIF BAR Kirkwood will be selling their Cool Tag Sticker for $2 at the Season Pass and Ticket Office – for each $2 Cool Tags sold, CLIF BAR invests $2 in Native Energy's WindBuilders program, helping the Rosebud Sioux Tribe build the Rosebud St. Francis Wind Farm in South Dakota. Wind farms deliver clean, renewable energy to the grid without releasing CO2 into the air – thereby displacing energy that comes from pollution facilities.
Revegetation
Kirkwood has performed numerous stream bank restorations along Kirkwood Creek, planted willows and restored wetland habitats. Generally, wetland disturbance is avoided. The resort's mitigation measures are outlined in the approved Specific Plan's EIR for private land development. These measures demand minimal, if any, impact on wetland areas and continued erosion control on areas even unaffected by development.
Ecological Impacts and Noise
Kirkwood has many regulations in place to ensure minimal environmental impact. Water and soil analysis is performed throughout the year, as necessary, to ensure that the programs are working. Noise ordinances are enforced for all development.
All underground tanks at the Kirkwood Service Center gas station, powerhouse, and vehicle maintenance shop have been replaced by above ground tanks. The new tanks are double walled to provide containment of any leak occurring within the inner tank. Kirkwood pays a service (Reno Drain Oil—RDO) to pick up oil from the Power House and the Vehicle Maintenance Shop. They then recycle and use as oil burning fuel applicable for heating oil burning heaters in Nevada. California does not allow oil burning heaters.
Energy Efficiency, Waste Management, Recycling and Pollution Control
Kirkwood is unique in that it generates all power on site from a diesel fired power plant. The plant is equipped with state-of-the-art catalytic exhaust cleaning equipment. Kirkwood is researching the feasibility of several alternates to diesel-fired generators to supplement the existing power generation facility. Conservation is a high priority item.
Kirkwood uses a disposal/recycling company that hand picks through each load of refuse as it arrives in their facility. It has also entered into a partnership with El Dorado County who provided Kirkwood with several efficient and attractive recycling stations that are strategically located throughout the resort. Kirkwood personnel transport the recyclable aluminum, glass and plastic directly to recycle centers. Office white paper is also collected and transported to a recycle center.
The Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District operates one of the finest state-of-the-art sewage treatment facilities in the state, but it is very costly. The cost provides added incentive for the resort to be very conscientious about water conservation. As the resort continues to improve restrooms facilities, only low flow appliances will be used. Kirkwood Lodging and the housekeeping staff routinely monitor all utilities in the lodging units to make sure lights are turned off, thermostats are turned down and that there are no dripping faucets. Additional efforts to keep Kirkwood's air clean include regulations on wood burning devices. All new installations must comply with EPA Phase II clean air requirements except that one noncompliant open hearth fireplace will be allowed in limited areas.
Snowmaking Impact on Streams
Kirkwood's snowmaking system relies on water from Caples Lake (a nearby reservoir managed by El Dorado Irrigation District). Streams and creeks are minimally, if at all, affected by Kirkwood's snowmaking use. Additionally, when the manufactured snow melts in the spring, the runoff drains into the same drainage ways as its original Caples Lake source. Kirkwood is committed to helping ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the Sierra as the pristine area it is today.