TRPA says possible delays to May 1 grading season at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Grading and digging season for permitted projects at Lake Tahoe officially begins today, however, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is cautioning that some projects and sites may be delayed due to unseasonal amounts of snow and wet conditions. Property owners and project managers should plan ahead for delays to the start of grading activity and pre-grade inspections, the agency repeated today.

Grading and digging activities are confined to drier months to protect Lake Tahoe from sources of erosion and sediment that have been tied to decreases in its famed clarity. During the normal grading season (May 1 – October 15), grading and digging can proceed in dry conditions but are not allowed when a project area is covered with snow, when the ground is saturated, muddy, or unstable, and during periods of precipitation.

The past winter has been a record-breaking season and many sites may still be impacted by snow when the grading season opens today. There is a potential for delays and in some cases, required pre-grade inspections may not be completed until all snow has melted from the site and the site is dry. Working in dry conditions prevents soil compaction and prevents loose soil and mud from washing away from project sites, into roadways, storm drains, waterways, or the lake.

Emergency exceptions are available from TRPA to protect water quality public health and safety. Visit https://www.trpa.gov/grading-season-exceptions/ for more information.

Although all grading must stop in wet conditions, not all digging requires a permit. More information is available at trpa.gov/applications-forms under Grading.