Sierra County Supes Address Environmental and Safety Concerns

LOYALTON — The Sierra County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday to discuss county matters, including environmental protections and traffic safety proposals.

Jackson Meadows and Bowman Lake Closed to Motorized Boats

The Nevada Irrigation District (NID) has closed the boat launches at Jackson Meadows and Bowman Lake to motorized boats for the remainder of 2025. The decision aims to prevent the spread of the Golden mussel, a high-risk invasive species found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. NID explains that the mussels “pose a significant threat to infrastructure, recreation, ecosystems and water quality.”

Board members and meeting attendees supported efforts to protect local waters, but confusion surfaced about the closure details. Kenny Osburn, President of Friends of Independence Lake, Inc., a Loyalton-based group, wrote a letter to the supervisors raising several concerns.

Osburn’s letter questions whether the closure complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it may restrict access for people with disabilities who depend on motorized boats. It also asks how funds from Aquatic Invasive Species stickers—required decals promoting invasive species transmission prevention—are used. Additionally, Osburn notes that non-motorized boats like kayaks, often transported long distances, could also spread Golden mussels, though motorized boats are typically seen as higher risk due to their size and complexity. Supervisors expressed frustration over limited communication from NID, and Osburn proposed an inspection facility to check all boats entering Jackson Meadows and nearby lakes.

Caltrans Proposes Loyalton Speed Limit Increase

Caltrans has proposed raising speed limits on parts of Main Street, mirroring plans for Sierra City and Sierraville. Currently, the 25-mile-per-hour zone begins before Hill Street on the west side of Loyalton, but the proposal shifts it to start after Taylor Avenue. The section west of Taylor Avenue, up to the 55-mile-per-hour sign, would become a non-radar transition zone, effectively allowing speeds up to 55 mph without radar enforcement.

Loyalton resident Janet McHenry called the proposal a “ridiculous change,” pointing to the many homes along the affected highway stretch. She highlighted that winter snowplows often block the sidewalk on one side, pushing pedestrians closer to traffic. Discussions echoed concerns from Sierra City and Sierraville, including risks to pedestrians, shorter stopping distances, wildlife hazards, and possible flaws in Caltrans’ speed surveys.

The supervisors scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 17, at 1:30 PM, to be held jointly with the Loyalton City Council, pending their approval. Past hearings on similar proposals elsewhere in the county failed to alter speed limits, but they prompted Caltrans to consider traffic-slowing devices in Sierra City.