Tahoe Resort Project Would Hamper Fire Evacuations, Critics Say

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OLYMPIC VALLEY (AP) - Conservationists trying to block the expansion of the Lake Tahoe ski resort that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics say the developer is trying to hide the impacts of the project on the pristine mountain environment.

In a legal action, the group Sierra Watch cited a dramatic traffic increase that could cause dangerous delays during a wildfire evacuation at the California resort.

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Tom Mooers, head of the group that is suing Squaw Valley and its Denver-based owner, Alterra Mountain Co., says it would take nearly 11 hours to evacuate via the single access road during a wildfire.

The group has appealed a court ruling that upheld approval of the project by Placer County, which concluded any potential harm could be offset.

Lawyers for Squaw Valley say 2.9 hours currently are needed to evacuate and that could grow to 5 to 6.5 hours under most scenarios.