Plumas County voters created the EPRD in 2002 and was granted $250,000 authorized from funds from "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002” (Prop 40). The EPRD used the funds to support youth sport teams, the Sierra Buttes Trail stewardship, yoga in Blairsden; improvements at the Portola pool; and improvements at the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl (JHSB).

In 2005, The Plumas Ski Club had completed a feasibility study for improving the JHSB and cooperated with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) to meet the legal requirements to evaluate the environmental impacts of reopening the ski hill in 2006. Because the JHSB is in the Plumas Eureka State Park, it became apparent that the best working arrangement for its development, operation and funding was through a local governmental agency.  In 2008, the EPRD was asked by the Ski Club to take over the job of improving and operating the JHSB. The down turn in the economy over the next few years hampered funding opportunities, but refocused efforts. In 2011, EPRD entered into a ten-year Operation Agreement with the CDPR, owner of the Park. The Agreement governs construction and winter operations of JHSB.   Over the past three years progress has been made and the JHSB has hosted the long board ski races, Winterfest activities, and music festivals. These events have given local citizens recreation opportunities and drawn visitors to the area.

Though developing the JHSB has been a focus, the EPRD continues to seek funding to support all types of recreation opportunities in eastern Plumas County including trails and other facilities, as well as  events.  Recently the EPRD facilitated the receipt of grants to improve trails for All Terrain Vehicles in the hills bordering the Sierra Valley and provide Iron-Man event training for local youth.