Sierra resort faces fines of $2.7 million

TRUCKEE, Calif. -- A Sierra ski resort will pay more than $2.7 million in fines and penalties under a proposed settlement for environmental violations in 2006, officials said.

Officials with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board said the settlement with Northstar Mountain Properties is among the largest of its type proposed by the agency.

"It is a very serious matter," said Scott Ferguson, an enforcement chief with the board's Lahontan region.

The water board is expected to vote on the settlement in July. A Northstar official said the company agrees with the proposed terms.

The violations concern an alleged failure to adequately control storm water runoff at construction sites and failure to comply with provisions of a November 2006 cleanup and abatement order.