SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A landmark settlement agreement between the Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group, South Lake Tahoe resident Alan Miller, Suntex Marinas, and the City of South Lake Tahoe represents an important victory for protecting Lake Tahoe’s water quality and sensitive aquatic environment. See more from the Sierra Club.

The agreement resolves environmental concerns surrounding the Tahoe Keys Marina redevelopment and establishes commitments to improve stormwater treatment, address aquatic invasive species, reduce pollution from shoreline infrastructure, and support scientific research.

A major achievement is Suntex’s commitment to pursue an improved stormwater treatment system that captures, treats, and discharges runoff rather than relying primarily on underground infiltration. This is particularly important at Tahoe Keys, where shallow groundwater and contaminated soils raise concerns about transporting legacy pollutants into surrounding waterways. The agreement provides for up to $750,000 in additional stormwater treatment costs and two years of water quality monitoring.

Suntex also committed up to $750,000 toward designing and permitting maintenance dredging to address accumulated sediments and support aquatic invasive species management. Coordination with the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association could provide opportunities for broader improvements throughout the interconnected waterways.

Additional commitments include up to $300,000 for environmentally protective bulkhead coatings and $100,000 for research into microplastics and other water quality concerns.

“We appreciate Suntex’s willingness to work with the Sierra Club to find meaningful solutions,” said Tobi Tyler, vice chair of the Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group.

The settlement demonstrates that environmental protection and redevelopment need not be competing objectives. Through constructive negotiations, the parties secured commitments that could establish stronger environmental practices for marinas throughout the Tahoe Basin.

While some improvements remain subject to regulatory approvals, feasibility, and cost limitations, the agreement represents meaningful progress toward addressing longstanding environmental concerns.

Lake Tahoe’s future depends on preventing pollution, restoring degraded aquatic environments, and ensuring that redevelopment strengthens rather than compromises environmental protection. This settlement provides an important example of how community advocacy and collaboration can help achieve those goals.

Key Environmental Commitments

Improved Stormwater Treatment: Suntex has agreed to pursue a capture, treat, and discharge system for runoff from impervious surfaces, reducing reliance on underground infiltration. Subject to regulatory approval and the agreement’s cost (up to $750,000) and feasibility provisions, the system will treat stormwater before discharge to surface waters. Two years of monitoring will evaluate its effectiveness in removing hydrocarbons, phosphorus, nitrogen, lead, copper, and fine sediment.

Marina Dredging and Aquatic Invasive Species: Suntex will initiate the design and permitting process for maintenance dredging within the marina, committing up to $750,000 toward the effort. Dredging could help address accumulated sediments and support efforts to manage aquatic invasive plants, including Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed. Suntex will also explore coordinating dredging activities with the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association.

Safer Shoreline Materials: Suntex has agreed to use uncoated metals or coatings that meet specified drinking-water infrastructure standards for replacement bulkheads, committing up to $300,000 in additional coating costs. The agreement also includes safeguards for handling dredged materials and managing associated water.

$100,000 for Lake Tahoe Science: Suntex will contribute $100,000 toward scientific research on plastic and microplastic pollution and/or improvements to Lake Tahoe’s water quality. This investment will improve understanding of ongoing environmental threats and potential solutions to plastic pollution in Lake Tahoe.

-By Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group