Conservancy

The Lake Valley Fire Department was given a $26,000 grant to clear brush and hazard trees from a 6.5 acre parcel in Meyers. The grant was given by the Forest Service to help reduce the risk of wildfire in Meyers.

The parcel is owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy across from the Tahoe Pine Campground.

The Sierra Business Council is hosting Peak Innovation, a conference for Lake Tahoe locals, small business owners, communities and local governments. During the conference, Dr. Peter Gleick, an expert in water issues especially in the context of economic and environmental justice, will be at the conference which takes place October 8-10 in Tahoe City. In a National Geographic science blog, Gleick recently repeated the common question, “Why, if the California drought is so bad, has the response been so tepid?”

Crews have been working on an underground stormwater system in the Bijou area of South Lake Tahoe. The work is causing both Fairway Drive and Bal Bijou Road to have detours during the week but open and no controls on weekends.

Work is wrapping up with the installation of a box culvert for Bijou Creek and work is now focused on new curbing and inlets. The Bal Bijou storm drain system will be connected at US 50 next week, with curb installation to follow.

The Tahoe Keys Marina is possibly facing charges for illegally grading a plot of land next to Venice Drive in order to create a temporary parking lot for the Wooden Boat Show this past weekend.

The California Tahoe Conservancy, who owns the land, will be installing temporary Best Management Practices (BMPs)in order to stabilize the approximately one acre of land where dirt was moved and vegetation cleared. The Conservancy had already spent funds on stabilizing the land.

Several agencies are coming together on Saturday, June 21st for the first Wildfire Safety Expo in South Lake Tahoe.

The threat of wildfire is extremely high this fire season due to record drought conditions in the West. To provide information on creating home evacuation plans, preparing for fire, creating defensible space, the expo has been created.

The expo will be held in the TJ Maxx parking lot from noon to 3 p.m.

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor and Douglas County Sheriff. This is the last of the submitted responses. Candidates Sue Novasel, Kenny Curtzwiler and Angela Swanson were the only County Supervisor candidates to respond, and Douglas County Sheriff candidates Ron Pierini and Dave Brady were the only Sheriff candidates to respond. We thank those that took the time to reply.

1) What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

Proactive forest management activities can reduce high-severity fire by up to 75%, save up to three times the cost of fighting forest fires and bring added benefits to people, water and wildlife according to a study released today.

Community.

With ski resorts busy preparing for the winter season ahead, now is the time to start planning your time on the slopes! "Plates for Powder" is the successful promotion run by the Tahoe Fund to increase sales of the Lake Tahoe license plates.

Individuals who purchase the specialty Lake Tahoe license plate in either Nevada or California prior to April 1, 2014 will receive two lift tickets to their choice of 11 Lake Tahoe resorts.

The, members of the fire-based Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (MAC) and the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), expressed appreciation for the joint Proclamation issued by the Governors of Nevada and California prior to the 17th annual Lake Tahoe Summit held in August.

Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe has submitted a proposal to the USDA Forest Service and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for expansions to its on-mountain summer activities, as part of Vail Resorts’ Epic Discovery, a Summer Mountain Adventure.

The Forest Service will hold a meeting Thursday, May 30, to answer questions and provide information about its Upper Truckee River restoration project.

The project area is located east of the Lake Tahoe Airport runway and west of the Washoan subdivision in the Tahoe Paradise residential area. The meeting will provide an overview of the activities that will occur this summer, and how these will limit public access during construction due to safety concerns associated with heavy equipment operation.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on Thursday announced the 2012 Best in the Basin award winners and will recognize the recipients March 27 at the TRPA governing board meeting.

This is the 23rd year for the program that recognizes Lake Tahoe area projects for demonstrating exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with the Lake Tahoe environment. Local professionals in the fields of landscaping, planning, engineering, water quality, and resource management judged each category. A reception for all Best in Basin winners and judges will follow the awards ceremony.

The City of South Lake Tahoe received an Award of Excellence from the California Park and Recreation Society for Lakeview Commons at El Dorado Beach. The City’s recognition in the category of Park Planning will be honored at the 2013 California and Pacific Southwest Recreation and Park Training Conference, held in San Jose March 6-8.

A dedication ceremony of the new Genoa Vista Trail will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at at the north end of the trail on Foothill Road across from Carson Street. The event is open to the public and participants are encouraged to walk or bike the 1.3 mile trail to 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa where refreshments will be served.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has partnered with federal, state and local agencies to launch "Tahoe in Depth" a new Lake Tahoe Basin environmental newspaper.

Mailed to every Lake Tahoe Basin property owner this week, the free publication is designed to keep Lake Tahoe homeowners, residents and visitors abreast of the wide variety of activities taking place to protect and restore the Lake Tahoe Basin.

After attending the State of the South Shore Economy Public Forum held on October 23rd, 2012 I was inspired to draft a response to the questions about economic revitalization that were asked at the meeting. I feel like our group had many salient ideas that were not properly represented. Also, I have noticed that people are quick to offer ideas like “reduce unemployment”, “beautify the city”, and “improve recreation”, but they are typically unable to offer suggestions on how to make those ideas a reality.

The environmental non-profit Tahoe Fund presented a $27,500 check to the California Tahoe Conservancy yesterday to allow completion of the Lower Blackwood Creek and Eagle Rock Restoration Project, a critical creek restoration and trailhead project on Lake Tahoe’s west shore.

Wild is the new theme in advertising for Lake Tahoe license plates, as U.S. National Stand Up Paddleboard Team member Jay Wild of Truckee is featured in television and print ads shot last week at Carnelian Bay.

“Over 96 percent of fees help support projects like the Lake Tahoe Water Trail and access to beaches like this,” says Wild, standing on the beach at Watermans Landing. “I train on the lake every day. Tahoe is a treasure, and I have a Tahoe plate to show my love for this magical place.”

The Dedication Ceremony of Lakeview Commons at El Dorado Beach was held today with a large turnout of contributing agencies, visitors and locals alike.

The dedication of Lakeview Commons at El Dorado Beach is Wednesday, June 20 at 2 pm. The ceremony will be followed by a concert and barbecue at 3 pm. Complimentary food, commemorative items, and speeches by California State Senator Ted Gaines, California Tahoe Conservancy, current Mayor Claire Fortier, former Mayor Kathay Lovell. The event is open to the public.

Today is the day: South Lake Tahoe bicycle group Slow Rollers is asking the community to come out to its second annual Spirit Bike Parade today and an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records by forming the longest single line of bicycles. To beat the record, now held by the city of Davis of 916 bicycles, South Lake Tahoe will have to produce 917 bicycles or more. The event begins at 4 p.m. with a start up at the old Miller's Outpost, South Shore Bikes, 955 Emerald Bay Road. Get there early to register.

Cyclists from far and wide are signing up for the Motherlode Century, being held Sunday May 20, 2012. It promises to be the best bicycle ride Northern California has to offer.

Conveniently staged in the foothills of the beautiful and historic Gold Country, the Motherlode offers three ride options: The Gold Dust (31 miles), The Gold Nugget (67 miles) and the Motherlode (100 miles). All riders will benefit from full SAG support, tasty aid stations, and a delicious post ride dinner on the river.