tahoe basin

Lake Tahoe is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. It is a beauty to behold, with forested mountains surrounding the deep blue shimmering surface. It is famous for many recreational activities- snowboarding, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and sunbathing. But the clear blue waters of Tahoe are in trouble. Invasive species, climate change, and sedimentation all threaten the unique ecosystems of the lake.

A measure to advance environmental restoration and forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin yesterday passed out of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The legislation would reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, originally passed in 2000, which has helped advance one of the most comprehensive watershed restoration programs in the nation-the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP.

A management plan that will guide management of National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin over the next 15 years has been worked on over the last decade. The creation of the plan took the concerns and values of many different groups and citizens as to how Forest Service lands in the basin should be managed.

Almost a foot of snow is being welcomed into the Lake Tahoe basin today. Snow started falling in the early hours of Thursday morning and will continue into Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, and additional 4 to 8 inches is expected at lake level during the day Thursday, with 1 to 3 inches Thursday night. A winter storm warning is in effect until 4 am on Friday morning.

Since there is a lack of snow through the Sierra Nevada, visitors and locals in the Lake Tahoe basin are enjoying things that are normally reserved for the summer months.

Cloud seeding drones may soon be used to help get more punch out of Sierra storms. The unmanned aircrafts could provide significant benefits by getting more snow on the slopes and boosting water supply.

Jeff Tilley of Reno’s Desert Research Institute (DRI) unveiled one of three drones in the country at Thursday’s Operation Sierra Storm held in South Lake Tahoe. The drone will soon be tested to seed clouds in order to get more moisture out of storms to help in times of drought.

Eight individuals who display strong personal commitment to protecting and restoring Lake Tahoe were recognized today by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) during the third annual Lake Spirit Awards ceremony at the Agency’s Governing Board meeting in Stateline.

As 2013 draws to a close, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of many this year. It was just a few short years ago, in the midst of the Great Recession, both public agencies and private companies throughout the basin were in the middle of layoffs, service reductions and unemployment hovering above 17%. Concerns regarding economic recovery were significant. Rather than buckling under, we buckled down, got things done and prepared for recovery.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will begin prescribed fire operations off of Highway 89 South near Luther Pass tomorrow, December 10, 2013. Crews will begin burning a 29 acre unit across the highway from the Luther Pass overflow campground and will burn as much as weather and conditions allow. Operations may continue through the week. In addition, crews will begin prescribed fire operations on a small unit off of Highway 28 on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Crews will burn approximately two acres on the east side of the highway between Secret and Skunk harbors near Bliss Pond.

The Christmas tree permits sold by the U.S. Forest Service in Lake Tahoe are officially sold out as of today! Between the north and the south shores of the lake there were 2,500 permits to sell to those people wanted to cut down their tree on Forest Service land.

More than 175 nominations were received by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce for their annual Blue Ribbon Awards. During a recent celebration, awards were given to the following businesses and individuals:

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence Club –Timber Lodge

Bob and Tammy Hassett, current operators of Camp Richardson and Meeks Bay Resort have been selected to run the concession at Round Hill Pines Resort according to Cheva Heck of the U.S. Forest Service. The current lease is held by the Forvilly family and is set to expire on December 31, 2013. Frank Forvilly has operated Round Hill Pines since 1971 and just found out yesterday that they weren't awarded the new contract.

Is cutting down a Christmas tree in the forest part of your tradition or wanting to start a new one? This is the time of year that tree cutting permits go on sale, and they'll go quickly! Just 2,500 permits will be available to those wishing to cut down their own Christmas Tree in the Lake Tahoe basin this year. Available are a variety of pine, fir and cedar trees from designated cutting areas around the lake. The permits cost $10 each and available only on a first come, first serve basis starting on November 18, 2013. There is a two permit per family limit.

You may have noticed the new bus shelters placed this summer along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe. They were installed by the Tahoe Transportation District, operator of the local South Shore Transit System. The shelters won't only come with seating and protect those waiting for buses from the elements, they also have new bike racks and bear safe trash cans.

Long time Tahoe RCD employee Kim Boyd was recently promoted to District Manager. Mrs. Boyd has extensive experience in resource management and project implementation in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin. From her beginnings as an Environmental Scientist in 2001, Ms. Boyd led core Tahoe RCD projects involving backyard conservation, terrestrial invasive weeds, and ecosystem restoration.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will begin prescribed fire operations in Slaughterhouse Canyon, north of Spooner Summit tomorrow, Wednesday, October 30, 2013. The total unit size is 30 acres. Fuels management crews may burn as much of the unit as possible, weather and conditions permitting. “Because of the recent snowfall, conditions allow our crews to carry out operations on larger units,” said Kit Bailey, Fire Management Officer with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Operations are likely to continue through the end of the week.

Change is in the air for South Lake Tahoe weather. Winds are picking up Sunday, temperatures will be dropping overnight with rain and snow due on Monday.

According to the weather reports, a low pressure system and a cold front reaches the eastern Sierra and western Nevada late Sunday and Monday.

As the low approaches, winds will increase this afternoon with
gusts of 40 to 50 mph across northeast California including the Lake Tahoe
basin and western Nevada. Gusts in wind prone areas along Highway
395 may reach 65 mph this afternoon. The strongest winds are

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is currently taking nominations for the Lake Spirit Awards honoring real people making real progress at protecting Lake Tahoe. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate exemplary members of our community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect the beauty and clarity of the Lake.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is working to open many Forest Service-operated facilities and restore public services that had been suspended during the government shutdown, which ended October 17, 2013. “Realizing we’re near the end of our normal operating season in Lake Tahoe, we’re focusing our efforts on those sites that typically remain open for a few more weeks and are extremely popular with locals and visitors alike,” said Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson. “We look forward to opening these and serving our local community once again.”

Lake Tahoe Community College joins the Lake Valley Fire Protection District in mourning the unexpected loss of firefighter paramedic Brandon “Mitch” Underhill. The 34-year-old, known as Mitch, died Sunday, September 29th.

Underhill has been an instructor at LTCC as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy since 2009. He joined the Lake Valley Fire District in 2005, and served the community for just over 8 years in that capacity. He is survived by his wife, two young children, his parents, and his brother and sister.

The Annual South Lake Tahoe Basin FireFest brought out crowds of all ages to the airport on Saturday, September 28.

This free event that highlighted fire and life safety for children and families. Helicopters, fire trucks, the bomb robot and dozens of fire fighting and emergency personnel were on hand to provide demonstrations as well as the popular hands-on features of the smoke house and squirting fire hoses. Smokey the Bear and Sparky the fire dog were also there to greet the kids.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will lift fire restrictions on National Forest System lands beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, September 24, 2013. “The arrival of cooler, wetter weather brings safer conditions and has allowed us to lift restrictions on Forest Service managed lands,” said Forest Service fire chief Kit Bailey. “Even though restrictions will be lifted, we still need hikers and campers to use caution with campfires, stoves, barbecue grills and cigarette smoking.”

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Tahoe Heritage Foundation will host the Fall Fish Festival Oct. 5-6, offering a variety of free, fun events with the beautiful backdrop of Taylor Creek in the fall.

Formerly the Kokanee Salmon Festival, the Fall Fish Festival will focus on the variety of fish species that live in Lake Tahoe and its rivers. In addition to the Kokanee, these species include the federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout and little-known smaller fish, such as speckled dace.

"We will never, never forget" were the words spoken by U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, 4th District of California, as Gold Star Peak was dedicated in South Lake Tahoe today. A bronze memorial plaque commemorating the peak was unveiled during the ceremony held at Lakeview Commons. Mayor Tom Davis told the group gathered, "We're proud to be able to have a memorial we can view every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year." The plaque is placed near beach level with a clear view of Gold Star Peak.