LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has raised the level of environmental review for the proposed Barton hospital project and area plan amendments at Stateline, Nev. Instead of an Environmental Assessment, Barton now needs an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This means a more detailed process is beginning, and additional opportunities to review the project and provide public input will be scheduled over the coming year.

Preliminary information from the initial environmental review indicated that a more detailed analysis is needed. This elevated level of review reflects the agency’s and Barton’s commitment to a science-based, transparent decision-making process that protects Lake Tahoe’s environment and supports communities.

An EIS is the most detailed type of environmental review. It thoroughly examines whether the proposed project meets regional environmental standards and if it will cause immediate or cumulative impacts to areas such as water quality, forest health, scenic views, traffic, and more. Preparation of an EIS can take approximately a year to complete.

An initial meeting to begin the scoping phase of the EIS is scheduled for May 14 at the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission. All scoping comments previously submitted during the EA process will be carried over and do not need to be resubmitted.

Douglas County will hold public meetings on the proposed project and potential amendments to the South Shore Area Plan as well. Those amendments include the creation of a special subdistrict to a medical facility use with an increased height allowable for buildings from the current 56 feet to 85 feet on a portion of the property. The previous Lakeside Inn and Casino was approximately 60 feet from natural grade. The additional height would only apply to a portion of the the project area and not to other areas within the South Shore Area Plan boundary.

A description of the process, schedule, and public input opportunities is available on TRPA’s Barton project page.