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Seven outstanding restoration, sustainability, and construction projects were recognized as recipients of Best in the Basin awards by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) during an online meeting of the agency’s Governing Board. The projects and programs each exhibit outstanding planning and execution and lead the way in environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Region, according to the agency.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Long after the fire trucks have come and gone, the threat to a community impacted by wildfire remains. It’s a less obvious threat than a towering inferno destroying homes and ripping through forests and hillsides. It is a hidden threat that arrives with winter rains and California Conservation Corps Corpsmembers are helping communities stay safe from it—toxic runoff, including those from the South Lake Tahoe center.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For years the members of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) have planned for a major legacy project for the community. The club has saved a portion of its fundraising proceeds for over a decade while searching for a major project which suits its mission to empower women and youth. The result of that search broke ground Wednesday - the renovation of the softball field at the South Tahoe Middle School. The socially distant ceremony was held with club members and partners in their endeavor.

A $45,000 grant from the Tahoe Fund has allowed the nonprofit Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) to begin a trail improvement project that will reconstruct sections of the Upper Tyrolian Trail in Incline Village. The project is designed to enhance the user experience, make critical trail connections, rehabilitate and restore old logging roads to reduce erosion and improve lake clarity. It is expected to be completed by the end of October 2020.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - When the three parking lots with 90 spaces were created last year in Incline Village for the popular East Shore Trail, they were free but all were told paid parking was coming in the near future.

That time has now come.

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has unveiled the Park Tahoe pilot program at the trailhead north of Ponderosa Rand Road. The lots were created to expand off-highway parking options along the high traffic area of SR28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

TAHOE CITY, Calif. - What many have been waiting for is now open to traffic on the North Shore. The long-anticipated new quarter-mile segment of State Route 89 includes a new 153-foot bridge crossing over the Truckee River, a roundabout on the south end next to the Tahoe City Transit Center and another roundabout on the north end near the Caltrans Maintenance Station, allowing a second entry/exit route for Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

The new Truckee River Bridge and realignment of SR89 are meant to ease congestion in the Tahoe City area.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Roadwork on a three-year $57 million project along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe is coming to an end. Until November 1, crews will be working on some curb and gutter portions of the road along with some sidewalk repair. They will also be working on electrical components, landscaping, erosion control and painting of lines.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The new roundabout in Meyers on Highway 50 at the base of Echo Summit has already been partially open but on Thursday motorists will be able to use the complete roundabout as designed, including the westbound by-pass lane.

Final paving will be done Wednesday and Thursday night so the bypass lane of the roundabout should be open by Thursday morning. The speed limit in the area is posted at 20 mph through the roundabout, 30 mph as one exits to the west and 40 mph will remain the speed limit through Meyers.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The Tahoe East Shore Trail at Lake Tahoe is now open to non-motorized bicycle and foot traffic. The Nevada Department of Transportation and Tahoe Transportation District, along with their partners in the project, celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon the three-mile path between southern Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) will limit public access and temporarily close portions of some south shore beaches starting Friday, June 28, 2019. They announced beaches they own near Lakeview Commons and the Upper Truckee Marsh will close for public safety and to protect sensitive wildlife habitat and areas prone to erosion.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All involved parties reached a settlement today concerning the May 2018 boulder rolling incident at Emerald Bay. At that time, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) received a complaint about the contractors hired to build a retaining wall at Emerald Bay on SR89. In that complaint, a video was provided that showed equipment pushing a large boulder over the edge of the road as crews cheered. As the boulder rolled it took out or damaged several trees, including a majestic Sugar Pine.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will begin a two-year long storm drainage project to help preserve water quality and reduce erosion on US 50 between Carson City and Spooner Summit on Thursday, April 25.

Stateline, Nevada – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is accepting project nominations for its annual Best in Basin awards program now through Tuesday, April 2.

TRPA created the Best in Basin awards program as a way to recognize public and private projects that demonstrate exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

STATELINE, Nev. - Nine projects were honored as "Best in the Basin" Wednesday during the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) board meeting.

For 28 years TRPA's program has showcased projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.

The Best in Basin award winners:

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) would like to remind residents and contractors that the annual grading and digging season for permitted projects will end on Monday, October 15, after which all construction sites must be appropriately winterized.

The following is a comment in support of Preferred Alternative 2B of the Upper Truckee River Restoration and Golf Course Reconfiguration Project submitted by the League to Save Lake Tahoe to California State Parks:

Due to high water in Lake Tahoe, the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has announced that they will temporarily close portions of some South Lake Tahoe beaches for public safety and to protect sensitive habitat and areas prone to erosion.

This news affects the Upper Truckee Marsh and three CTC beaches near Lakeview Commons (see map above), both areas heavily used during the 4th of July holiday.

Recreationalists that frequent these beaches will need to make alternative plans. CTC asks for patience and cooperation during this time of high water.

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 the annual report compiled by the Tahoe Environmental Research Center at the University of California, Davis.

This measurement surpasses 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.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - There will be single lane closures on Highway 50 near Cave Rock starting Monday, May 7, as Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) completes roadside slope repairs.

Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is a place of majestic beauty with sandy beaches and secluded, boulder-strewn coves. It’s where residents and visitors alike go to enjoy Tahoe’s famously cold, clear water, whether they are dipping their toes in for the first time or launching their boat, kayak, or paddleboard for a daily outing.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is accepting project nominations for its annual Best in Basin awards program through Saturday, March 31.

TRPA created the awards program as a way to recognize projects that demonstrate exceptional planning and design and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be wrapping up their two major Lake Tahoe projects for the season over the coming weeks. Crews are working diligently to complete all that they can this construction season before heavy winter weather sets in and makes construction infeasible. Both projects will return with construction next spring.

U.S. 50 Logan Creek Slope Stabilization Project

he Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Wednesday recognized 15 exceptional projects completed in 2016 with Best in Basin awards.

Now in its 27th year, TRPA’s Best in Basin awards program each year showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.