Resource Conservation District

TRPA updated Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection program and fees for 2021

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board has approved updates to Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection fees and added enhancements to make inspections more convenient following an unprecedented year for the program, the agency said today.

Column: 2020 Highlights from your Water and Sewer District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.

California Tahoe Conservancy awards over $340,000 to Washoe Tribe to restore Meeks Meadow

The California Tahoe Conservancy Board has awarded a $380,454 grant to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California for the Máyala Wáta Restoration Project at Meeks Meadow, and area rich in cultural and ecological importance.

Blue Ribbon Awards winners announced during virtual awards show

The winners of the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday, November 19 during an awards show shown on Lake Tahoe Television. In place of the annual awards dinner the community was invited to tune in virtually with hosts Chris Fiore from the City of South Lake Tahoe and Meg Peart from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. If missed, everyone can watch the celebration of the 2020 finalists and winners at https://tahoechamber.org/13th-annual-blue-ribbon-awards-show/ (and don't read any further if you want to be surprised).

Workshop to help builders create homes to withstand wildfire

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm

Building professionals are invited to join a free virtual workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 18 to learn how to design, build, and retrofit homes to withstand wildfire.

Tahoe Chamber announces finalists for 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 6:00pm

The community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s 13th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards to honor South Shore businesses and individuals that have impacted the community for the better. In place of the annual awards dinner, winners will be announced in an awards show that is pre-filmed and broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television on November 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the free event can register in advance on TahoeChamber.org to get direct access to the awards ceremony.

New forestry program headed to Lake Tahoe Community College

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new Forestry Education and Job Placement program is heading to Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) in South Lake Tahoe.

To get things started, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded the college a $351,000 grant and $480,000 was received from CAL Fire’s Forest Health Grant Program. LTCC has hired Kim Carr as their contracted consultant on the project and she helped write the grants and secure funding for the new avenue of education in South Lake Tahoe. She is bringing 30 years of forestry and environmental experience to the college.

Nominations announced for the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

The Tahoe Chamber collected 190 nominations from the community for the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Award to celebrate the businesses, non-profits and individuals that make the South Shore of Lake Tahoe so unique. Local businesses have been a resilient backbone of the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and honoring their contributions, achievements and milestones is more important than ever before.

Citizen science drives environmental restoration and reservation in Tahoe-Truckee Region

LAKE TAHOE - Volunteer citizen scientists working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe conducted surveys of Donner and Spooner Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species, and restored native wetland habitat in Johnson Meadow in September. Both efforts are aimed at preserving the Tahoe-Truckee region’s unique ecology.

Lake Tahoe boat inspections move to winter operation schedule October 1

Beginning October 1, watercraft inspections for the detection and prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS) will change locations and shift to a first-come, first-served basis, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) announced today.

With this shift back to on-demand inspections, the agencies are closing out the inspection appointment system initiated this year to lower the risk of COVID-19 spread.

October 1 through 12:

Column: Our fight against aquatic invasive species

By motor or by paddle, the experience of boating on Lake Tahoe is like none other. Hovering over its crystal clear shallows and unfathomable depths inspires awe, and the surrounding mountains and forests combine for a breathtaking experience. Given this, it is understandable that boating is both a major part of Tahoe’s culture and its regional economy.

Public invited to virtual field tour of Johnson Meadow Restoration Project

Event Date: 
August 18, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) is inviting the community to attend a virtual field tour for the Johnson Meadow Restoration Project on August 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

TRCD acquired the Johnson Meadow property in 2018. The 206-acre meadow, located along Upper Truckee River in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, provides valuable habitat and ecosystem services as well as community open space for all the residents and visitors of South Lake Tahoe.

With mural project canceled, Leadership Lake Tahoe gives back to the community

Leadership Lake Tahoe is a ten-month-long course held every two years on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. It began in 2003 with a mission to identify and develop current and future leaders through a comprehensive program designed to increase knowledge and awareness of the issues and challenges facing our community. At the beginning, the program was sponsored by the Tahoe Douglas Chamber and South Lake Tahoe Chamber, they merged a few years later and became the Tahoe Chamber (or Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce).

Volunteers spend Tahoe Forest Stewardship day restoring Johnson Meadow

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Johnson Meadow was once used as a post-Gold Rush dairy farm, became a place for summer cattle grazing, and is now being restored as part of the Upper Truckee River watershed. The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) purchased the Johnson Meadow in 2018, a critical step in restoring the river's watershed that contains significant wildlife habitat, including river, riparian, meadow, and upland habitat areas.

Sign up for July 25 Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day- Summer

A few spots are left in the this summer's Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on Saturday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join the League to Save Lake Tahoe for a small, RSVP only and physically distanced restoration event. The deadline to sign up is coming quickly - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24.

By pitching in, you are improving ecosystem health and the wildlife habitats that surround Lake Tahoe. Healthy forests and meadows act as natural pollution filters to Keep Tahoe Blue.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to this fun, hands-on restoration day.

Boaters can expect delays at Lake Tahoe inspection stations

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As demand soars for watercraft inspections at Lake Tahoe, agencies preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into the lake’s pristine waters caution boaters to expect delays and to be prepared to change boating plans through the July Fourth weekend.

Lake Tahoe boat inspection program temporarily halted in response to COVID-19

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Watercraft inspections to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Lake Tahoe have halted until at least April 16 in response to Nevada and California Executive Orders on COVID-19, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Watercraft inspection stations, as well as the boat ramps at Cave Rock, Nevada and Tahoe City, California, will remain closed until it is deemed safe for personnel to return to work, they said.

Golden Bear neighborhood is first South Lake Tahoe National Firewise USA® Designation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Golden Bear community in South Lake Tahoe has been at the forefront of neighborhood fire safety and their hard work has paid off. They have earned a Firewise USA® designation by the National Fire Protection Association, making them the first South Lake Tahoe community to earn this designation.

Science of Cocktails next presentation at TERC in Incline Village

Event Date: 
January 31, 2020 - 6:00pm

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), together with support from community partners, will host the 4th annual Science of Cocktails with proceeds directly supporting the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center and innovative science education programs.

Shake things up at the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center on Friday, January 31, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. when they hold "The Science of Cocktails," a unique evening event where mixology and science meet.

California Tahoe Conservancy board approves forest health, aquatic species and marsh restoration funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has authorized spending $1,036,750 to implement three high-priority projects to reduce fire risk and improve forest health in South Lake Tahoe and on the west shore.

During their meeting on Thursday, the CTC Board approved funding for projects that include:

- Spending up to $211,250 on forest thinning on Conservancy land in the South Lake Tahoe Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods,

- A grant to the South Tahoe Public Utility District for up to $338,000 for forest thinning on the grounds of its treatment plant, and

Tahoe Basin Wildfire Pre-Attack Plans funded by Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation

The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has announced a donation of $18,057 to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) to enhance wildfire suppression capabilities on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. This donation will result in the expansion of strategic and tactical Wildfire Pre Attack plans covering the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Pre Attack Plans help first responders by identifying critical infrastructure, vulnerable population groups, evacuation routes, water sources, Temporary Refuge Areas, and locations where forests have been thinned before a wildfire strikes.

Opinion: Sierra Boulevard is at an end; Looking forward to the next beginning

It's been one heck of a summer in terms of driving around town. Between Echo Summit and the Meyers roundabout, the horrible accident at Elks Club, US50 through town and then the construction at Stateline that caused delays back to Zephyr Cove in mid-September. Luckily, the Stateline issue was quickly remedied, the highway at Elks Club seems mostly repaired, and the Meyers roundabout turned out great.

Volunteer mapping of invasive plants along Upper Truckee River completed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A three-year effort to survey the Upper Truckee River for aquatic invasive plants has wrapped up. Community members, supported by staff from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, and California State Parks joined together to map the plants in order to prevent their spread during major upcoming restoration projects along the river, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary.

Citizen Science Celebration

Event Date: 
October 17, 2019 (All day)

Thursday, October 17 | 5:30 - 8 pm
Himmel Haus, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Join us for a night of celebrating our dedicated volunteers and the valuable citizen science work that they do! We invite the community to learn more about how to get involved in the League to Save Lake Tahoe's citizen science programs. Food, drinks, live music, presentations and fun provided. Keynote presentation by Desert Research Institute on microplastics in Lake Tahoe.

Partners:
Desert Research Institute
Tahoe Environmental Research Center
South Tahoe Public Utility District

Location

Himmel Haus
3819 Saddle Rd, South Lake Tahoe
United States

Two Lake Tahoe boat ramps to continue watercraft inspections as roadside stations close

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – This week marks the last full week of summer operations for watercraft inspection stations around Lake Tahoe. Starting Oct. 1 the duties will move from roadside stations to inspecting only at the Cave Rock and Lake Forest launch ramps for the winter season.

STHS art teacher and students create mural on TRPA shipping container

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – What was once a dull gray shipping container has been transformed into a work of art at the watercraft inspection station in Meyers, California. The container houses equipment used to decontaminate boats arriving at the station that might harbor aquatic invasive species.

Now greeting boaters will be a colorful and creative mural painted by local artists and students. At the same time the mural puts the Clean, Drain, and Dry message front and center.

North Upper Truckee neighborhood evacuation drill and BBQ September 18

Event Date: 
September 18, 2019 - 6:00pm

MEYERS, Calif. - The Upper Truckee Neighborhood is invited to participate in an evacuation drill and fire preparedness meeting on Wednesday, September 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lake Valley Fire Station 7.

Community invited to learn how to be a leader in the fight against fire in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
August 21, 2019 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As a follow-up to their "Prepare to Evacuate" community meeting, the Tahoe Neighborhoods Group is joining forces to help the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) bring a “Neighborhood Leader Orientation" meeting to South Lake Tahoe.

On August 21 at the El Dorado County Library in South Lake Tahoe from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., TRCD will focus on what it means to be a “Fire Adapted Community” and how neighborhood leaders can organize and hold neighborhood events to ensure that homes and communities are prepared and fire safe if/when a fire occurs.

Family Science Day in Kings Beach with free activities, fun, and games

Event Date: 
August 3, 2019 - 1:00pm

Everyone is invited to spend a day learning about Lake Tahoe’s unique natural environment, ecology, and conservation from area experts. Family Science Day takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at North Shore’s Kings Beach State Recreation Area.

Invasive mussels found during Lake Tahoe boat inspections

Mandatory inspections of all boats launching in Lake Tahoe and other Sierra lakes has resulted in the interception of invasive quagga mussels on two boats.

The detection of the infestations of aquatic invasive species took place at the California inspection stations in Meyers and Truckee.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

7/3

Column: Wildfires happen. Is your community prepared?

Welcome to summer! The solstice officially arrived Friday at 8:54 a.m., welcoming in the longest day of the year. As the snowpack melts away, and the lake fills above rim, we enter the warm and dry months that we relish after winter. As Lake Tahoe’s landscape begins to dry out, wildfire danger will grow.

Our respite from the seasonal dangers of wildfire here in the basin is coming to an end. With temperatures climbing, relative humidity lowering, and afternoon winds blowing across the lake, the basin will become susceptible to wildfire.

Eyes on the Lake Training

Event Date: 
August 21, 2019 (All day)

Eyes on the Lake Training
Wednesday, August 21 | 5 - 7 pm
Location: Tahoe Keys POA, South Lake Tahoe

Do you enjoy:

Swimming | Paddling | Boating | SCUBA diving | Snorkeling | Fishing

Or just viewing the Lake's natural beauty?

Then there's a role for you. Protect while you play at Lake Tahoe. Aquatic invasive plants are threatening Lake Tahoe. You can help prevent their assault on Tahoe's waters. We need your “Eyes on the Lake.”

Location

Tahoe Keys POA
356 Ala Wai Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
United States

Eyes on the Lake Training

Event Date: 
August 8, 2019 (All day)

Eyes on the Lake Training
Thursday, August 8 | noon - 2 pm
Location: Tahoe Keys POA, South Lake Tahoe

Do you enjoy:

Swimming | Paddling | Boating | SCUBA diving | Snorkeling | Fishing

Or just viewing the Lake's natural beauty?

Then there's a role for you. Protect while you play at Lake Tahoe. Aquatic invasive plants are threatening Lake Tahoe. You can help prevent their assault on Tahoe's waters. We need your “Eyes on the Lake.”

Location

Tahoe Keys POA
356 Ala Wai Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
United States

Eyes on the Lake Training

Event Date: 
July 23, 2019 - 4:00pm

Eyes on the Lake Training
Tuesday, July 23 | 4 - 6 pm
Location: Tahoe Keys POA, South Lake Tahoe

Do you enjoy:

Swimming | Paddling | Boating | SCUBA diving | Snorkeling | Fishing

Or just viewing the Lake's natural beauty?

Then there's a role for you. Protect while you play at Lake Tahoe. Aquatic invasive plants are threatening Lake Tahoe. You can help prevent their assault on Tahoe's waters. We need your “Eyes on the Lake.”

Location

Tahoe Keys POA
356 Ala Wai Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
United States

Eyes on the Lake Training

Event Date: 
July 10, 2019 (All day)

Eyes on the Lake Training
Wednesday, July 10 | 10 am - noon
Location: Tahoe Keys POA, South Lake Tahoe

Do you enjoy:

Swimming | Paddling | Boating | SCUBA diving | Snorkeling | Fishing

Or just viewing the Lake's natural beauty?

Then there's a role for you. Protect while you play at Lake Tahoe. Aquatic invasive plants are threatening Lake Tahoe. You can help prevent their assault on Tahoe's waters. We need your “Eyes on the Lake.”

Location

Tahoe Keys POA
356 Ala Wai Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
United States

Column ~ The fight continues: Battling aquatic invasive species at Tahoe

While it felt like spring had finally arrived, we all know Mother Nature can be fickle, especially at Lake Tahoe. For those who love to play in the snow, it was a fantastic winter, and a banner year for the Sierra snowpack. Despite some cooler weather now, steady warmer temperatures are on the way and our attention is shifting from the mountains to the lake.

Lake Tahoe area boat inspection stations opening for 2019 season

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV - Roadside watercraft inspections stations aimed at stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species are opening for the season. Locations, hours of operation, and opening dates are online at TahoeBoatInspections.com and as follows:

Opening Wednesday, May 1:
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week

Meyers: at the junction of US Highway 50 and Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe
Spooner Summit: at the junction of US Highway 50 and Highway 28 in Nevada
Alpine Meadows: Highway 89, off Alpine Meadows Road north of Tahoe City

Conservancy receives $1.95M to restore forest and watershed resilience

At its Board meeting in Sacramento on Thursday, the California Tahoe Conservancy accepted a $1.95 million grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to co-manage the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative (TCSI), a pioneering landscape-level effort to restore forest and watershed resilience to more than 2.4 million acres.

TRPA: What's new for the 2019 Lake Tahoe boating season

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – New boating safety programs are coming online at Lake Tahoe this summer, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

Additional enforcement of no-wake zones and excessive boat noise under TRPA’s Shoreline Program are two measures being taken to protect the lake and non-motorized watercraft and swimmers. Boat inspections fees are also being adjusted for the first time in seven years to better safeguard the lake from aquatic invasive species, and sticker fees now include a $12 fee as part of the Shoreline Program.

Evacuation planning session for Golden Bear neighborhood

Event Date: 
November 14, 2018 - 5:30pm

The Golden Bear neighborhood of South Lake Tahoe will be holding an evacuation planning meeting with the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) on Wednesday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Station 6.

Residents in the area have created a spread sheet of every home, information on the residents, how many pets and other specific issues with each home. The approached LVFPD in helping them to prepare evacuation information since there is only one entrance/exit to their area off Pioneer Trail.

TRPA recognizes 9 Lake Tahoe projects for Best of the Basin awards

STATELINE, Nev. - Nine projects were honored as "Best in the Basin" Wednesday during the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) board meeting.

For 28 years TRPA's program has showcased projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.

The Best in Basin award winners:

Ten years of fighting aquatic invasive species at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - This year marks the tenth anniversary of Lake Tahoe’s Watercraft Inspection Program. Under the program, every motorized watercraft is inspected to ensure it is clean, drained, and dry and not carrying aquatic invasive species before launching at Tahoe. Thanks to diligent boaters and watercraft inspectors, no new aquatic invasive species have been detected in Lake Tahoe since the program began 10 years ago.

Lake Tahoe Wildfire Preparation Workshop open to the public

Event Date: 
September 13, 2018 - 5:30pm

Join the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities to learn how to prepare your family and home for wildfire. In the Lake Tahoe Basin it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when the next wildfire will occur, so now is the time to prepare.

They are holding a free workshop on September 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the North Tahoe Fire Protection District located at 222 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City. It is free and open to the public.

Local experts will be on hand to teach participants about:

Weed killing mats lining parts of Lake Tahoe

The final bottom barriers have been installed at Lakeside Marina, completing a project to cut light to invasive weeds that thrive in warmer parts of Lake Tahoe.

Column: 10 years of fighting invasive species at Tahoe

This summer marks the tenth anniversary of Lake Tahoe’s Watercraft Inspection Program. Under the program, every motorized watercraft is inspected to ensure it is clean, drained, and dry and not carrying aquatic invasive species before launching at Tahoe.

22nd annual Lake Tahoe Summit to bring together senators, the public and agencies

Event Date: 
August 7, 2018 - 10:00am

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) will host the 22nd Annual Lake Tahoe Summit at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village, Nevada on Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Beach and park operations will be closed until 1:00 p.m. that day.

Lawmakers from Nevada and California will meet on the shores of Lake Tahoe to discuss how to protect a national treasure as it faces continued threats to water clarity, invasive species, wildfire and drought.

Pine Needles for Pints on both north and south shores

If you haven't already bagged up your pine needles this spring, now you have a chance to earn a free or discounted beer. Perhaps you've been waiting for the rain to stop so you can start filling those garbage bag, a Lake Tahoe ritual.

Now you can participate in a social media campaign to quench your thirst when done.

El Dorado Beach boat ramp at Lakeview Commons now open for season

The City of South Lake Tahoe owned boat ramp at El Dorado Beach is now open for the season.

Located at LakeView Commons at the corner of Highway 50 and Lakeview Avenue, the boat ramp is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the last launch at 4:30 p.m.

The ramp is open seasonally based on accessibility and the lake's water level. The boat ramp is open daily 8;00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. with the last launch at 4:30 pm.

Guest Columnist: Be Prepared for Wildfire at Lake Tahoe

Both California and Nevada suffered destructive wildfires last year. Nevada saw 768 fires burn more than 1.3 million acres. California experienced the deadliest, largest, and most destructive wildfires in its history. Just a few hours-drive from Tahoe, more than 40 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed in the wine country and North Bay last October. In Southern California, the Thomas Fire ravaged communities and forest lands last December with damaging flooding and landslides piled on after the fire subsided.

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