climate change

Motorized scooter riders see change of laws in California in 2019

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On the heels of the banning of electric scooters in many cities, Governor Jerry Brown of California has signed a bill that mandates helmets for users only if they are under the age of 18 and if the scooter goes above 15 miles per hour.

The bill, authored by Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora of Ripon, was written to encourage scooter use to alleviate congestion on the state's roads and meet climate change goals of reducing car emissions.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Letter: Why you should vote Nick Exline for South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board

My name is Nick Exline and I am asking for your vote on November 6th for the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board as I will bring a higher level of commitment, leadership and vision to the STPUD Board.

2019 project to reroute Upper Truckee River through South Lake Tahoe marsh

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Money is on its way to South Lake Tahoe to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh, the largest remaining wetland in the Sierra Nevada, and reverse damage created by decades of development.

The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) announced Thursday they received $1,700,066 from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife towards their project to redirect the Upper Truckee River to its historic network of channels through the Marsh. Water flowing through the Marsh will slow down, allowing sediment to settle instead of reaching Lake Tahoe.

"A Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" topic of next TERC talk

Event Date: 
August 30, 2018 - 5:30pm

Join UC Davis TERC in Incline Village for a special summer feature lecture on Thursday, August 30, with Jared Blumenfeld, former EPA Regional Administrator.

For Jared, walking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail opened up new ways of thinking about our relationship with nature. Jared's talk will combine his amazing hiking photographs, stories of adventure and insights about the current state of environmental politics.

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.

#TeamTahoe focus of Lake Tahoe Summit

The annual Lake Tahoe Summit held this week at Sand Harbor State Park marked the 22nd time government officials, public agencies, non-profit environmental groups, the public and other groups came together to renew their focus and commitment on preserving the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

National Forest Foundation receives nearly $13 million for forest restoration work in Tahoe/Truckee

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The National Forest Foundation (NFF) has received a major grant from the California Climate Investments Forest Health Grant Program to conduct important forest health work on the Tahoe National Forest, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands in the Truckee / Tahoe region.

CAL FIRE awards $27.5 million to reduce wildfire risks

Today, CAL FIRE awarded four grants totaling $27.5 million to fund high-priority forest health projects designed to combat climate change and reduce the risk of wildfires.

Steve Teshara named president of California Association of Councils of Governments

Steve Teshara, CEO of the Tahoe Chamber and chairperson of the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) Board of Directors, now has another leadership duty for the upcoming year.

Teshara will serve as the president of the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG), a group whose membership includes 47 regional governments involved in the planning, funding, and development of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

He has been representing TTD on the CALCOG Board.

State of the Lake:Both air and water temperatures in Lake Tahoe Basin on the rise

In June, 2018, we found out the epic clarity of Lake Tahoe was measured at an average of 59.7 feet in 2017, a 9.5 foot drop from the previous year and 10.3 feet lower than the five-year average according to a report compiled by the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) at the University of California, Davis.

This measurement surpassed the previous lowest level of 64.1 feet which was recorded in 1997, but far below the record high of over 100 feet in the mid-1960s.

Column: Lake Tahoe Summit-recommitting to collaboration

Nearly 25 years ago, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and dozens of partners embarked on an unprecedented mission to conserve and restore the Lake Tahoe Basin’s treasured natural resources through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP).

Chariot microtransit system arrives in South lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Your chariot has arrived!

The League to Save Lake Tahoe has teamed with Chariot to bring a new microtransit service to the South Shore starting on Monday, July 9. They will use the busy summer traffic-congested tourist area to test a solution for transportation issues around the lake.

Column: Drought, extreme winter reduce Tahoe’s clarity, but restoration remains on track

Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest lakes in the world, known around the globe for its spectacular scenery. The lake’s water clarity is one of the many attributes that make the Tahoe Basin such an amazing natural resource and a mecca for outdoor recreation.

Letter: League to Save Lake Tahoe applauds California voters for passage of Prop. 68

California residents yesterday voted to pass Proposition 68, approving a $4 billion investment to protect the state’s unique natural resources and provide protections from the growing threat of climate change.

Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, the executive director for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, represented the League on the statewide Yes on 68 committee. The following is a statement by Dr. Collins:

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.

The View at 6229.1': #BeKindSLT

I’ve had this article in my head for months, bouncing around the walls of my brain, trying to decide where to go with it. There is an epidemic continuing to spread in this country. One that is curable without a vaccine, without drugs, without changing one’s diet. It’s called a Lack of Kindness.

Locals and tourists alike can feel it in South Lake Tahoe, as if a cloud of hate has descended over the lake. Pleasantries seem to be a forgotten art, as has simple kindness like holding a door open for another, or letting a car back out of a parking space, or a simple smile to a stranger.

South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Celebration

Event Date: 
April 28, 2018 - 10:00am

The South Lake Tahoe Earth Day celebration will be on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park. The special day recognizes, celebrates, and promotes our region’s unique beauty while educating the public about local environmental issues.

Letter: South Lake Tahoe’s 2nd annual People’s Climate March

Climate change is the defining issue of our time. We are bombarded daily by those who seek to divide us on the issue of climate change. Those that sow the seeds of division understand the climate science and the catastrophic impacts if it goes unchecked, but yet they still work tirelessly and at great expense to keep us apart and create doubt.

The decades long campaign to mislead the public on climate change was done so for one very simple reason, to ensure the profits of a very select few at the cost of “we.”

Climate March in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
April 28, 2018 - 10:00am

The second People's Climate March will take place on Saturday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m., prior to the South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Celebration.

The Tahoe Climate Change Action Network organized the inaugural march in 2017 to coincide marches across the country and the huge national march in Washington, D.C. marking President Trump's 100th day in office. Marches protested the President's environmental policies, changes to the Environmental Protection Agency and the rolling back of Obama-era regulations on fossil fuels.

"Paint and Sip" customized for Tahoe Valley Elementary students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Budding Van Goghs, Monets and O'Keeffes are honing their talents in the Tahoe Valley Elementary Library every Wednesday when Lake Tahoe Paint and Sip comes to help them them. Only thing different from the adult version of their unique painting classes is what is sipped.....the students get to sip water.

Public invited to attend weather conference event: Is This Global Warming?

Event Date: 
January 23, 2018 - 8:00am

The keynote speech during the annual Lake Tahoe weather conference, Operation Sierra Storm, is open to the public on Tuesday, January 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. "Is This Global Warming?" is the presentation by Dr. Noah Diffenbaugh, internationally renown climate scientist and leader. There will also be a panel discussion.

The free presentation will be in the Harvey's Cabaret.

8:00 a.m. - One hour plus questions and answers: Network Weather Producers Presentation

Operation Sierra Storm returns to Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 23, 2018 - 8:00am

A leading national weather conference, Operation Sierra Storm (OSS), returns to the South Shore January 21-24 and locals are invited to attend a morning of their presentations. OSS brings together national weather broadcasters and journalists, prominent scientists and experts.

Are extreme weather events linked to global warming? How do weather broadcasters decide what is aired?

Column: Conservation partnerships are an opportunity to bridge divides

Nearly 200 conservation professionals from around the country gathered back east this November to have a strategic dialogue about the state of landscape-scale conservation. Lake Tahoe was featured at the forum for the region’s cooperative restoration initiatives, and it was an honor to share the stage with such high-caliber conservation thought leaders.

The national forum showcased how people of all backgrounds are collaborating and working to conserve some of America’s most iconic natural areas.

Have an innovative solution to solve the environmental issues facing Tahoe?

LAKE TAHOE - The Tahoe Fund is looking for those with solutions to help solve environmental challenges at Lake Tahoe, particularly those helping to reduce the risk of wildfire, addressing climate change impacts, and innovative ideas.

Meet the Democratic 4th Congressional District candidates

Event Date: 
November 16, 2017 - 6:00pm

The four Democratic 4th Congressional District candidates will participate in a public forum at Lake Tahoe Community College on Thursday, November 16. The forum, which is being sponsored by the South Lake Tahoe Democratic Club, South Lake Tahoe Solidarity Network, and the Tahoe Climate Change Action Network, will be held in the LTCC Board Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

"Understanding Ice Shelf Collapse" focus of next TERC talk in Incline

Event Date: 
November 9, 2017 - 5:30pm

The powerful images of climate change, the catastrophic scenes of ice shelves collapsing and the rare fresh water lake system they leave behind will be the focus of the next U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) presentation on November 9 in Incline Village.

Epishelf lakes, the rare lake system where freshwater overlies seawater, have been researched by Assistant Professor Dr. Alex Forrest and his team in the remote Canadian Arctic.

Column: Tahoe taking action on forest health

The heartbreaking fires in Northern California’s wine country this month have upended hundreds of thousands of people’s lives. In just over one week, the fires across Northern California burned more than 220,000 acres, destroyed 6,000 buildings, and killed more than 40 people. Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties.

Can a mega fire happen in Lake Tahoe?

Before that question can be answered, we need to understand what a mega fire is. To be a mega fire it needs to meet these five points:

1. Starts near or in a high fire danger area during approaching or actual red flag conditions,
2. Escapes the initial attack,
3. Develops into a campaign fire covering a large area,
4. Requires thousand of firefighters and extensive additional resources to bring final containment,
5. Often cause huge property and other cultural losses in addition to vegetation destroyed.

LTUSD adopts Healthy and Environmentally Sound Schools resolution

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a “Healthy and Environmentally Sound Schools” resolution at its October 10 meeting. This supports expanded energy efficiency programs, and alignment with the City of South Lake Tahoe’s recent commitment to get 100 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

Guest Columnist: Restoring Lake Tahoe’s Clarity

Lake Tahoe is known around the world for its crystal-clear water. For several decades, Tahoe’s clarity, which measured more than 100 feet in 1968, was declining each year because of stormwater pollution from poorly planned development and the lingering effects of historical activities such as cattle grazing and logging.

Lake Tahoe Summit: Bi-state, bipartisan effort to preserve Tahoe never complete

Achievements in preserving Lake Tahoe were celebrated August 22 during the 21st Lake Tahoe Summit at Tallac Historic Site, but it was clear there is a lot more to do and the job will never be over.

Started by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, this annual gathering of government, public agencies and private partners highlights what has been done, what is being done, what what still needs to be done in keeping Lake Tahoe clean and clear.

New partnership established to protect Lake Tahoe and Central Sierra

Today at the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit, the creation of a new partnership of state, federal, environmental, industry, and research representatives working together to protect Lake Tahoe and the surrounding central Sierra Nevada was announced. The effort, the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative, is focused on restoring the health and resilience of the area’s forests and watersheds. It builds on the legacy of work that has been done to “Keep Tahoe Blue,” and a variety of activities already underway in the Central Sierra landscape.

Governor, senators and others to speak at 2017 Lake Tahoe Summit

Event Date: 
August 22, 2017 - 10:00am

California Senator Diane Feinstein is hosting the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at Vahalla in the Tallac Historic Site from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The theme for the day is "2017- A Pivotal Point for the Future of Lake Tahoe.”

The event will examine successful restoration projects and ways to address new challenges facing the lake. A key focus will be combating the effects of climate change in the Lake Tahoe basin.

Opinion: Confronting climate change at Lake Tahoe

For 20 years, every August we’ve paused to reflect on our collective commitment to Lake Tahoe’s restoration at the Lake Tahoe Summit. This year, with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein hosting the event, the issue of climate change will be front and center. Climate change poses incredible challenges for Tahoe, affecting not only the health of its famously cold, clear waters, but the health of its expansive forests and what is to become of our $5 billion outdoor recreation-based economy.

Report: Lake Tahoe is getting warmer, trees are dying and algae is increasing

Climate change has brought major changes to Lake Tahoe including warmer water, an increase in dying trees and a reducing summertime lake clarity.

These and other findings were released today in the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report for 2016. The year was marked by the hottest temperatures on record followed by a winter of unprecedented levels of rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada.

TERC Director Geoffrey Schladow presented the report at a free public talk July 27 in Incline Village.

Climate change documentary, From the Ashes, shown in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 15, 2017 - 7:00pm

The Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group presents a free, advanced screening of From the Ashes, produced by Radical Media in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies for National Geographic on Thursday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Unity of the Lake.

The film provides a compelling and often heartbreaking look at coal and what’s at stake for our economy, health, and climate. Learn more about an industry on the edge and what it means for our future.

Opinion: How we move forward after the Paris Climate Accord withdrawal

On June 1, 2017 as I watched President Trump announce that his administration would be pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord I couldn’t help but reflect on President Reagan’s farewell address to the nation in which he imparted, for the final time as president, his vision that the United States is the world’s shinning “light on a hill.”

Changing climate impacted Lake Tahoe's clarity again in 2016

Clarity levels at Lake Tahoe in 2016 increased in winter and decreased in summer in 2016 according to a report released on May 17 by researchers from University of California, Davis.

They said the summer values were due to the continuing effects of climate change and were so large that they outweighed the improving winter clarity which were at their highest since 2012.

100s join People's Climate March in South Lake Tahoe

People marched to the White House. People marched in New York. People marched in London, and people marched in South Lake Tahoe.

According to organizers, an estimated 400-500 people marched from Lakeview Commons to Earth Day festivities at Bijou community Party Saturday morning. South Lake Tahoe marchers were young, old, two-legged and four-legged, with many carrying signs to promote the protection of the environment.

Full schedule of events in South Lake Tahoe this weekend

There is a full slate of events in South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area this weekend. On Al Tahoe Boulevard, one can hit the Lake Tahoe Home and Garden Show, Earth Day, and Ladies' Morning Out on Saturday.

People's Climate March in South Lake Tahoe Saturday

Event Date: 
April 29, 2017 - 10:00am

The People's Climate Change March in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, April 29 will bring together families and community members concerned with protection of climate and the environment, beginning at Lakeview Commons at 10:00 a.m.

From the Commons, marchers will head over to Bijou Park for the local Earth Day celebration where presentations will take place.

South Lake Tahoe Earth Day to be celebrated April 29

Event Date: 
April 29, 2017 - 10:00am

The South Lake Tahoe celebration of Earth Day will be on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park. The North Shore will be holding theirs on April 22.

Earth Day South Lake Tahoe style features a full day of education on ways to counteract global climate change through recycling and composting, alternative energy, water conservation, sustainability, and reducing our ecological footprint. For over a decade, volunteers from the Tahoe Earth Day Foundation have put on the event for all ages.

South Lake Tahoe first Sierra community to have goal of 100% renewable energy

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Residents of South Lake Tahoe take pride in their city, its beauty, charm and recreational opportunities, and action during Tuesday's City Council gave people another reason to appreciate their community.

In honor of Earth Day, the City of South Lake Tahoe joined at least 26 other municipalities in the United States, and the latest in a growing coalition of mountain communities, to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by the year 2032.

Establishment of renewable energy and carbon emission goals on SLT Council agenda

The South Lake Tahoe City Council will vote Tuesday on adopting a resolution to use 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2030.

"This could be a historic moment for the community, as we would join a growing movement of communities taking control of their energy future to tackle climate change," said Devin Middlebrook, TRPA Sustainability Program Coordinator. "We expect a big crowd of supporters wearing white shirts and 100 percent stickers in solidarity."

Global climate change the focus on next TERC Talk in Incline Village

Event Date: 
April 20, 2017 - 5:30pm

Humans produce carbon pollution. It's no secret. When we drive our cars, heat and light our homes, grow our food... we emit CO2. All around the world, habitats called carbon sinks have absorbed approximately 25% of this carbon pollution reducing the risk of global warming impacts without imposing a monetary cost on society.

Californians saved enough water to serve 6.24M homes for a year

Water conservation efforts in California have saved 2.51 million acre-feet of water since June of 2105. This is enough water to provide 6.24 million homes with water for a year, or almost one-third of the state's population.

Since state-mandated water restrictions have been in place, the cumulative statewide savings has been 22.5 percent, when compared with the previous 18-month period.

Since June 2015, the 817.9 billion gallons saved is enough water to supply more than 12.5 million people with water for a year has been saved at the state level.

Dancing With the Tahoe Stars crowns new champion

A packed house at MontBleu Resort on Saturday night was on hand to see Blue Angel Cafe owner, and Lake Tahoe Community College Board Trustee Jeff Cowen win the mirror ball trophy for the 5th annual Tahoe Arts Project's Dancing with the Tahoe Stars.

Cowen, and his professional partner Rhonda Keen performed a Bollywood number that brought down the house.

Local Sierra snowpack holding 153% of average water; Tahoe basin at 191% of normal snow

Measurements of the Sierra snowpack by both California and Nevada water officials have good, but not surprising news: There is well above average amounts of snow and snow water content in the Sierra Nevada, and Lake Tahoe and Truckee basins.

During his monthly trek into the snow at Phillips Station, 15 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program found 22.1 more inches of water in the snow than what he found January 3.

National focus on South Lake Tahoe's snowpack during Operation Sierra Storm

The annual television meteorologist's conference, Operation Sierra Storm (OSS), couldn't have happened at a better time to bring the national spotlight to early January's storms fondly nicknamed Snowmageddon and Januburied.

Jim Cantore and Paul Goodloe, leading correspondents at The Weather Channel, both broadcast live from Heavenly Mountain Resort and showcased South Lake Tahoe’s powder-filled ski conditions for two days, eight hours each day during the historic snowfall January 10-13, 2017.

UCD lecture at Incline: Climate change and lake temperature in the Sierra Nevada

Event Date: 
February 9, 2017 - 5:30pm

While climate can be an important factor controlling lake temperatures, in many lakes, water temperatures are responding differently than air temperatures. Through decades of climate and water temperature data from Sierra Nevada, Dr. Steve Sadro was able to illustrate the magnitude of warming taking place and demonstrate the role of winter snow-pack in regulating lake temperatures. Sadro and his findings will be featured at the next UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) discussion on February 9. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30 p.m.

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