Conservation

Audio: California-Nevada Consultation, Regional Plan Update Recommendations

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Regional Plan Update Committee, received on August 2nd 2012 the California-Nevada Consultation, Regional Plan Update Recommendations presented by Nevada Director of Conservation and Natural Resources, Leo Drozdoff and California Secretary for Natural Resources, John Laird. Following is a 6-minute segment of their remarks compiled from their 30-minute presentation. The segment opens with John Laird speaking about “the plan”— meaning the Tahoe Regional Plan.

Volunteers sought for weed pull

The League to Save Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association will host a volunteer weed pull event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the T...

Conservation Landscape Tour on West Shore

Tahoe Fund Hosts Croquet Party on August 12

The Tahoe Fund is encouraging supporters of Lake Tahoe to break out their croquet whites for a good cause. The environmental non-profit is preparing for its 2nd Annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner, to be held at Edgewood Tahoe’s historic Friday’s Station on Sunday, August 12th. Billed as a night to celebrate the organization’s early funders and the Lake, the event will include “Tahoe Croquet” and a gourmet dinner on the lawn. Senators Feinstein, Heller and Governor Brown have all confirmed their attendance.

Proposed Lake Tahoe regulations raises environmental concerns

The agency that oversees Lake Tahoe is reworking its regional plan. It's the first big overhaul since 1987, and the initial draft has raised concerns about how much and where commercial development will be allowed.
Alex Leff, with the conservation organization Friends of the West Shore, says the main draft plan would allow significant commercial development on recreational land, which makes up 22 percent of Lake Tahoe's Basin.

New Lake Tahoe Master Gardener Program Offered

Training for a Lake Tahoe Master Gardener program will begin this September in South Lake Tahoe.
The program is a partnership between the University of California Cooperative Extension Central Sierra and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.
Participants who complete the 50-hour training course will be certified Lake Tahoe Master Gardeners who then can provide the community with research-based information about home horticulture and gardening.

Nevada Affirms U.S. Agriculture Department Drought Disaster Declaration

CARSON CITY — Nevada today affirmed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s automatic drought disaster declaration, which applies to all 17 Nevada counties.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District hires new district manager

Tahoe Resource Conservation District's new district manager, John Skeel, officially took over duties on July 19 at TRCD's offices in South Lake Tahoe. Skeel has 24 years of experience working with ...

Conditions will close Rubicon Trail under agreement

The U.S. Forest Service has agreed to increase protections for water quality in a deal that will allow improvements to the Rubicon Trail to move forward, according to a statement from conservation ...

Conditions will close Rubicon Trail under agreement

The U.S. Forest Service has agreed to increase protections for water quality in a deal that will allow improvements to the Rubicon Trail to move forward, according to a statement from conservation ...

Conservation community to present its views on TRPA Regional Plan

Lake Tahoe Resource Conservation District Hires New District Manager

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) has hired a new District Manager, John Skeel, who officially takes over duties on July 19 at Tahoe RCD’s offices in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Skeel has 24 years of experience working with government organizations and not-for-profit agencies, focused primarily on community services, parks and recreation.

Area conservation groups to host Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update Q-and-A

KINGS BEACH, Calif. - Concerns over what kind - and how much - development will be allowed under the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's long-awaited Regional Plan Update will be the focus of a meetin...

Learning the land

Students from the Native Youth Conservation Corps will camp at Hope Valley to learn about Native American heritage and land management this month. NYCC is part of the Sierra Native Alliance, a n...

Four Infested Boats Prevented from Launching into Lake Tahoe in 2012; 5 inspection stations prepared for July 4 holiday

The July 4th Holiday and fireworks celebrations always bring an influx of boaters to the Lake Tahoe Basin. With sunny skies and warm temperatures predicted for the 4th of July holiday week, boaters are urged to Clean, Drain and Dry their boats before arriving at one of 5 roadside inspection stations in the Tahoe to avoid delays and decontamination fees.

Volunteers from Scottsdale Assist Tahoe RCD with Evans Family Garden

Twenty-three teen and four chaperones from the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix volunteered Thursday at the Evans Family Garden and pitched-in with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District's (TRCD) efforts at the garden. As the five-year-anniversary of the Angora Fire just passed, it was a fitting volunteer effort from this out-of-town group.

Public Invited to Lake Tahoe Community Watershed Partnership kickoff events

Event Date: 
June 27, 2012 - 4:30pm

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) will hold conservation events that highlight environmental projects and stewardship opportunities in the Lake Tahoe Basin communities. These gatherings are part of the 2012 Community Watershed Partnership (CWP), a holistic program which provides a place for education, participation, and involvement in your local watershed.

Police: Burglary may be tied to marijuana grow

A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy responded to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District boat inspection station near U.S. Highway 50 and Nevada State Route 28 Sunday morning following a report of a...

Deal reached for tracking Sierra Nevada wildlife

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service and conservation groups have reached an agreement to strengthen monitoring of Sierra Nevada wildlife.Under the settlement reached Friday, an independent...

Lake Tahoe forest plan could set Sierra precedent

A wide-ranging plan to manage of more than 150,000 acres of forest surrounding Lake Tahoe could be precedent-setting for the entire Sierra Nevada range, according to a coalition of conservation ...

Tahoe Keepers protect Lake Tahoe and other waters from invasive species

A coalition of local and visiting Lake Tahoe paddlers, business owners and basin environmental groups are helping to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Tahoe Keepers are paddlers who inspect and decontaminate their boats and gear every time they haul out and move between new waterbodies.

Tahoe Fund Names Amy R. Berry as first CEO

In a milestone for the organization, Amy R. Berry was appointed to the new position of CEO of the Tahoe Fund on Wednesday. The official announcement is a major shift forward for the organization and its mission to raise private and public funding for environmental projects in Lake Tahoe.

Development vs. conservation in Utah ski country

Webinar series offered to develop fire adapted communities at Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week runs through June 3. A Webinar Series on developing fire adapted communities at Lake Tahoe has been launched. Communities located in fire-prone area are fire adapted when they require little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Residents accept responsibility for living in a high fire-hazard area. They possess the knowledge and skills to prepare their homes and property to survive wildfire and they know how to evacuate early, safely and effectively.

Tahoe Yellow Cress planted in partnership with high school, private business and conservation groups

A group of South Tahoe High School students joined Edgewood employees, conservation experts and officials on May 19 to plant new nursery grown stems of the threatened plant, Tahoe yellow cress on the beach at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Edgewood Companies is participating in a volunteer program called the Tahoe Yellow Cress Stewardship Program and has been assisting with inventory surveys as far back as 1979.

Tahoe yellow cress stems planted at Edgewood

A group of students, scientists and a conservation coordinator planted more than 300 nursery-grown Tahoe yellow cress stems as part of a stewardship program Saturday at Edgewood Tahoe.The Tahoe ...

Policy makers, environmental stakeholders attend Lake Tahoe science conference

The economic and environmental future at Lake Tahoe will be discussed among 350 researchers, scientists, policy makers and economic stakeholders at Incline Village this week during the Tahoe Science Conference Tuesday through Thursday.

Fire Awareness Week at Lake Tahoe kicks off with activities, film series

With the theme "your home, your responsibility" the third Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week begins Saturday, May 26 and will continue through June 3. The focus of the week is to promote homeowner and resident actions that reduce the risk from wildfire to homes and communities.

Invasive Species Control, Water Quality to be discussed at Tahoe Science Conference

The upcoming Lake Tahoe Science Conference in Incline Village, Nev. will feature presentations from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) and its partners. Will Anderson of Tahoe RCD’s Watershed Resources Program will present on modeling of storm events, and Jim Brockett will display photographs highlighting aquatic invasive species control projects underway in Lake Tahoe by Tahoe RCD and its partners.

Tahoe Yellow Cress Planting at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course

Saturday from 10am to noon, a group of students from South Tahoe High School will join Edgewood employees, conservation experts and officials to plant new nursery grown stems of the threatened plant, Tahoe yellow cress on the beach at the Edgewood Tahoe golf course. Edgewood Companies is participating in a volunteer program called the Tahoe Yellow Cress Stewardship Program and has been assisting with inventory surveys as far back as 1979.

Guest column: Tahoe's in Trouble

There's a serious problem at Lake Tahoe. How serious? Serious enough to warrant a "sign-on" letter of warning, jointly written and distributed by all eight of the leading conservation/environmental...

TRPA kicks off Fire Awareness Week with activities

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is encouraging local residents and part-time homeowners to become “wildfire aware” by taking advantage of public education activities during Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week happening May 26 to June 3.

“With the fifth anniversary of the Angora fire coming up, this is a good opportunity for our community to discuss the importance of wildfire awareness,” said Joanne Marchetta, Executive Director of TRPA.

Board Poised to Further Conservation Efforts in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Bill Boosman and Paul Sciuto, both Lake Tahoe residents with backgrounds in conservation issues, were sworn in as Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) Board members at a public meeting on Tuesday in South Lake Tahoe. They join 3 existing members to complete a five-person Board of Directors.

May Message from South Lake Tahoe Mayor Claire Fortier

Some seven years, countless meetings and 2,500 pages later, the TRPA draft regional plan and supporting documents are finally ready for your reading enjoyment. While not the action-packed read of a Harry Potter or dark pleasure of "Fifty Shades of Grey," the four tomes of the TRPA holds some unexpected plot twists.

Key among those surprises is the Threshold Evaluation Study, a report I consider the prelude to the Regional Plan because understanding what worked well environmentally after the 1987 Regional Plan helps inform us what needs attention in the new plan.

Lake Tahoe Roadside Boat Inspection Stations Open for Season

Roadside stations for inspections and decontaminations of motorized boats and watercraft are officially open for the 2012 boating season at 5 locations entering the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“Boat inspections are critical to maintaining the health of Lake Tahoe and our local recreation-based economy,” said Ted Thayer, TRPA’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Through the efforts of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s well-trained inspectors and other private and public partners committed to the Lake, we expect to have another successful season.”

Political Science: The ongoing sandbox civil war at Lake Tahoe

Policy and science “link up all the time” says Leo Drozdoff, Nevada secretary of conservation and natural resources. Drozdoff, along with John Laird, California secretary of natural resources, discussed issues on environmental policies of Lake Tahoe at a recent UNR seminar. The men spoke mostly on the logistics of protecting Lake Tahoe between two states, to which Nevada contributes one-third of the budget, with the other two-thirds the responsibility of California.

Lake Tahoe environmental report shows promising results

Several environmental gains over the last five years have been made at the Lake Tahoe Basin, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s “Threshold Evaluation Report” released Wednesday, which highlights water quality as a continued area of concern.

The comprehensive report offers a snapshot of the health of the ecosystem in the Tahoe Basin by documenting the status and trends of more than 100 environmental standards ranging from air and water quality to fish and wildlife. The biggest improvements were documented in air and water quality, and scenic resources.

Ski Legend Mancuso Promotes Lake Tahoe Plates, Tahoe Projects

Julia Mancuso, coming off gold-winning performances in the super-G and giant slalom Friday and Saturday at the U.S. ski championships in Colorado, has agreed to appear in TV and radio spots promoting the California and Nevada Lake Tahoe license plates.

Film profiles legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold

The U.S. Forest Service and Lake Tahoe Community College will host a free screening of “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time” On March 28. Filmmakers Ann and Steve Dunsky will be available to answer questions after the screening.

Trout in the Classroom Teacher Training at South Tahoe, Incline Village

Bring real biology and aquatic ecology into your classroom! This hands-on program engages and inspires students as they raise Lahontan cutthroat trout for release. At this FREE workshop, learn how to care for trout eggs and facilitate an unforgettable learning experience.

*Previous participants are strongly encouraged to attend*

Two Training Times/Locations Available:
Saturday, March 31st, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, S. Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care eyes Echo Creek Ranch for relocation

A 16-acre parcel near where Highways 89 and 50 meet is being scoped as a possible and permanent relocation site for Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.
The property, known as Echo Creek Ranch, sits in an estate and trust by the late Alex Graf and once had a value of about $7 million during the height of the real estate boom. 

Conservation Corps looking for military vets for crews

Grant supports Lake Tahoe 'Children’s Forest' at Pope-Baldwin

A grant to the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will help develop a “Children’s Forest” for exploration and education in the Pope-Baldwin Recreation Area, off Highway 89 near South Lake Tahoe.

Court Orders New Study of Boat Buoys on Lake Tahoe

On Feb. 29 the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) acted illegally in not analyzing the boat pollution impacts for over one thousand illegal boat mooring buoys in the lake and that it must do so before it can approve other lake development.

The appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that found proposed amendments to the shoreline development plan were invalid. Under the new ruling, TRPA will retain discretion in how it will conduct a new study of the impacts of legalizing these buoys.

Tahoe resorts, business outfit vehicle fleets with Lake Tahoe license plate

New Lake Tahoe license plates are appearing on the vehicle fleets of major ski resorts and businesses in the Tahoe Basin, as support for the Tahoe plate program in California and Nevada continues this winter.

Heavenly Ski Resort helped launch the program in 1996 and has 140 vehicles plated for Tahoe. Northstar Resort, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Tahoe Dave’s Skis and Boards have ordered new Tahoe plates.

Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Train with the California National Guard in South Lake Tahoe

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team hosted a joint training with the 1-168th Medevac Wing of the California National Guard and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. Training was conducted in and around Emerald Bay State Park. The 1-168th Medevac Wing, based at Mather Army Air Field Base near Sacramento, brought two Blackhawk helicopters equipped for search and rescue operations with hoists as well as their crew of Chiefs and Medics.

Lake Tahoe planning agency announces 2011 Best in The Basin award winners

Recognized for stewardship and care taken in the building and construction of developments around Lake Tahoe, the 22nd annual Best in the Basin awards were announced Tuesday by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
The TRPA, which sets policy for development around Lake Tahoe, will recognize the winners, listed below, during the 2011 Best in the Basin awards presentation during the meeting of its Governing Board on Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Stateline. Go here for the agenda.

Wild and Scenic push for Upper Truckee River reappears with workshops

After El Dorado County supervisors agreed in fall to table the concept, plans are in the works to again bring federal protection measures to the Upper Truckee River.

Homewood lawsuit: Court rejects request for Shorezone judge

HOMEWOOD, Calif. - A federal judge recently denied a request from local conservation groups that the same judge who ruled on the 2010 Shorezone plan also preside over the lawsuit challenging the mu...

Homewood lawsuit: Court rejects request for Shorezone judge

HOMEWOOD - A federal judge recently denied a request from local conservation groups that the same judge who ruled on the 2010 Shorezone plan also preside over the lawsuit challenging the multimilli...

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