tahoe basin

USFS opening its Lake Tahoe campgrounds June 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On June 12, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are joined by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest who is opening all of its campgrounds in California.

Nevada group campsites and day-use areas that hold less than 50 people will also reopen. Visitor centers and California group campsites remain closed. Both the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and LTBMU offices remain closed.

Jeff Marsolais leaves LTBMU and becomes new supervisor for Eldorado Forest

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - The former Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) forest supervisor has moved over to the same position with the Eldorado National Forest, replacing the retired Laurence Crabtree.

Jeff Marsolais came to Lake Tahoe in 2010, working several positions and for the past five years, had filled the top spot.

The Eldorado National Forest is welcoming back Jeff Marsolais, who will begin serving as the Eldorado’s new forest supervisor on June 22. Jeff worked on the Eldorado National Forest early in his career and is excited to return.

Campfire restrictions around Lake Tahoe to reduce chance of human-caused wildfires

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is enacting campfire restrictions to protect the health and safety of employees and communities, effective immediately and until further notice. Outside of developed campgrounds and certain permitted facilities, igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire on national forest land in Lake Tahoe will be prohibited.

Poster Contest for a Cause

Help the Tahoe Rim Trail Association plant seeds of stewardship around Lake Tahoe by creating a poster to educate the public on how to take care of the environment!

Tahoe Bike Challenge expands to full month starting June 1

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The 15th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge begins on June 1 for a full month of bicycling excitement throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hosted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, the Bike Challenge is a basin-wide celebration of biking and a friendly competition to see who can record the most rides.

Wide range of weather in South Lake Tahoe forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Temperatures will return to around average by Monday then trend much warmer through Thursday and there will be chances for showers and
thunderstorms each afternoon and evening. A stronger storm system for early June reaches the Pacific Northwest coast next weekend for increased winds, much cooler
temperatures, and chances for showers in the Lake Tahoe Basin, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The NWS Reno forecast for the week:

Caltrans wrapping up $52.9M South Lake Tahoe project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The last scheduled Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) project for Caltrans around Lake Tahoe is almost finished. All traffic-interfering work is now complete on the stretch of US50 from the Y to the Trout Creek Bridge.

Prescribed understory burn in Sugar Pine Point State Park starts June 1

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – California State Parks will conduct an understory burn on four acres in Sugar Pine Point State Park beginning Monday, June 1, weather permitting.

Smoke may be visible.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team lists all current burn projects on their website at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/. The one next week at Sugar Pine is the only one currently scheduled.

State of California travel bans still in place, even as El Dorado County lifts their order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, May 27, El Dorado County rescinded its nonessential travel ban into the Lake Tahoe Basin, just as it did when letting the County-specific Stay At Home order expire in April.

The messaging is confusing as local orders are lifted, and state orders are still in place.

The action by the County does not mean that travel into Lake Tahoe Basin is all of a sudden okay though.

Sloan Gordon ~ 8.19.1973 - 5.18.2020

August 19, 1973 - May 18, 2020 - Sloan Michael Gordon signed off on a life lived to its very fullest on May 18, 2020. Though taken far too soon, Sloan managed to live 10 lives in the span of his 47 years, punctuated by adventure, mischief, and quality time with his family and friends.

Keeping Tahoe bears wild - COVID-19 closures can affect their behavior

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Spring is in full swing in the Tahoe Basin and Tahoe black bears are searching for food. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears results in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year, local law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #9: Up your preparedness game

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their ninth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing a total of ten tips.

This Week's Tip: Up Your Preparedness Game With Online Tools

Tahoe Chamber Town Hall with TRPA and USFS

Event Date: 
May 22, 2020 - 11:00am

The Tahoe Chamber is having another one of their virtual Town Hall meetings on Friday, May 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This week's focus will be on the reopening of recreation services in the basin.

Representatives from the US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will provide updates on the availability of access to the USFS beaches and recreation sites and the phased opening of boating season at Lake Tahoe.

Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-0rCKNqnQ7WBnuRyOhKyRg

Lake Wind Advisory in effect for Lake Tahoe Thursday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Lake Wind Advisory in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin from noon to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21.

Winds from the west 15-20 mph are expected on the lake with gusts to 35 mph. Waves will be 1-3 feet with the highest waves on eastern shores.

Small boats, kayaks and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

Temperatures will be rising at the lake, with a dip into the 80s anticipated by Tuesday!

The four-day forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Visitors to Lake Tahoe are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The messaging from the state, county, and city has been consistent throughout the coronavirus pandemic: This is not the time to travel to South Lake Tahoe. Nevada has also sent out the same message as a ban on nonessential travel that was created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between communities.

New TAHOE housing program in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Saint Joseph Community Land Trust (SJCLT) has announced a new program that seeks to preserve existing housing stock for permanently affordable, full-time homes for Tahoe Basin employees and residents. It is called the TAHOE (Tahoe Affordable Home Ownership Enabling) program.

TAHOE has been created to do three things:

1. Provide assistance to income-qualified households searching for a home in the Tahoe Basin;
2. Enable SJCLT to purchase available homes to be made available to income-qualified Tahoe Basin employees or full-time residents;

Virtual Made in Tahoe Festival over Memorial Day Weekend

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Mon May 25 2020 .
May 22, 2020 (All day)
May 23, 2020 (All day)
May 24, 2020 (All day)
May 25, 2020 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The annual Made in Tahoe festival held during the Memorial Day Weekend at Squaw Valley has moved their event to October, but, to highlight local craftspeople who would normally be there, a virtual weekend event has been created.

Times are hard, especially for the artisan and small business community so organizers have brought together 50 local artisans, businesses, chefs, organizations, and entertainers featuring a wide array of offerings that are made in or inspired by the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee areas.

Fire quickly put out near Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What appears to have been a cooking fire that got away in the forest near Van Sickle Bi-State Park on Saturday brought out a full response from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue with assistance from Tahoe Douglas Fire, Lake Valley Fire, Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jay Manning was driving on Lake Tahoe Boulevard near Stateline when he noticed smoke from the park just after 12:30 p.m. on May 16. At that same time, a ranger from the park called into 911 to report a fire.

USFS lifts closures at recreation sites around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) said the order to close Lake Tahoe recreation sites will expire Friday at midnight and won't be extended.

Regional developed recreation site and South Shore Recreation Corridor will be open starting May 16 according to Lisa Herron of LTBMU.

The closures were to keep in line with local, state and federal regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Final webinar on the future of transportation in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 18, 2020 - 12:00pm

Through its four-part webinar series, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has offered a window into the future of Lake Tahoe’s transportation system. Each part in the series – from trails and transit, to technology and communities – explored a different aspect of the Regional Transportation Plan, the vision that will guide transportation in the Tahoe Basin for the next 20 years.

Experienced California education advocate joins Lake Tahoe Community College

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has selected a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in California state policy and politics to fill a critical role during unprecedented and uncertain times.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their eighth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing a total of ten tips.

Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

Lake Tahoe Basin, El Dorado County and Sierra roadwork schedule for May 11-16

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working on several projects in the Lake Tahoe area as well as El Dorado County and the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected in late spring 2020. No traffic-interfering work is scheduled.

The time is here to place yellow jacket traps out in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It still isn't too late to prevent pesky yellow jacket interruptions of July and August picnics and outside dinners in Lake Tahoe. Now is the time to prepare by placing traps for the queens as they start to emerge from their winter hibernation.

The queens are the only bee colony member to hibernate in the winter. She emerges in spring and begins to look for a suitable place to build a nest and begin her new colony. By the end of summer one colony can have 4,000 to 5,000 yellow jackets.

Deadline extended for public comment on Lake Tahoe West Shore restoration project

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The planned restoration project on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe is a big one, covering 59,000 acres, and will provide a science-based, all-lands approach to guide restoration approaches on the West Shore over the next two decades to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.

Parking on highway at closed Zephyr Cove Resort resembles summer weekend

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The USFS Forest Service closed all of their recreation sites in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to keep in alignment with federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers.

Prescribed burn operations at Sugar Pine, Glenbrook and Zephyr Cove

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) and California State Parks will conduct understory burns at Lake Tahoe in the coming days.

TDFPD is planning on burning in Glenbrook on May 12 and in Zephyr Cove on May 20, 2020. State Paks is planning on burning at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore on May 11 and May 18. Both are weather permitting and smoke be visible.

Glenbrook - Burn Type: Hand Piles, Total Acreage: 3.00
Zephyr Cove - Warrior Way, Burn Type: Understory, Total Acreage: 2.00

Local boaters to be first allowed on Lake Tahoe; Future phases to allow out-of-area boats

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - Local boats will soon be able to get into Lake Tahoe, but boaters from out of the area will have to wait until COVID-19 reopening phases allow them.

On Friday the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced a phased approach to boating that discourages out-of-area visitation as part of state and local coordination on recreation guidelines for Lake Tahoe this season.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #7: Create a non-combustible zone

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their fifth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing three more tips.

This Week's Tip #7: Create a non-combustible zone

Old Tahoe Pines Campground restoration to include picnic area, parking and trails

MEYERS, Calif. - An old campground at the base of Echo Summit in Meyers is undergoing a major transformation that will not only create new wetlands and restore habitat along the Upper Truckee River, it will also create public access.

Work gets underway this week at the old Tahoe Pines Campground on a $1.63M project that will include new accessible-to-all trails, bridge and parking lot, and other features along the river which is Lake Tahoe's largest tributary.

Sierra-at-Tahoe offers credits for pass holders and those with prepaid items

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After the coronavirus shut down operations early this winter, Sierra-at-Tahoe has released a comprehensive season pass plan which lays out an extended Spring Pass Sale deadline, reduced pricing, exclusive discounts for renewing pass holders for 2020/21 Season Passes, credit for unused products and more.

Times may have changed, but the local resort's commitment to guests has not.

Kudos: Virtual Bliss Assembly raises $570 for Tahoe Magic

LAKE TAHOE – The Tahoe Bliss Experiences®, together with local small business owners, produced the Virtual Bliss Assembly April 22-25 and raised $570 for Tahoe Magic during the event that included four days of live, online experiences that focused on ways in which each of us can remain mindful, fit, healthy, and aware while remaining safe at home.

Prescribed burn operations resume on Lake Tahoe's northwest shore

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has resumed prescribed fire operations in the Tahoe Basin. California State Parks is currently conducting operations at Burton Creek State Park on Tahoe’s northwest shore and will continue over the next three weeks, weather permitting. Smoke may be visible. View map with project locations/details at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/ and sign-up for prescribed fire notifications by sending an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Operation information:

What is being burned - Seven acres of hand piles

El Dorado County extends ban of all nonessential travel to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The current order restricting travel into the Lake Tahoe Basin has been extended by the El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

Originally set to expire on April 30, the ban's extension begins at 12:01 a.m. May 1.

The ban is for all nonessential travel into the El Dorado County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin from outside the basin. Dr. Williams will review the current situation with local health care professionals at least every 14 days.

$11.5M project to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh now underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The largest wetland restoration project in the history of the Lake Tahoe Basin is now underway in the Upper Truckee River Marsh. The major project to restore the marsh in South Lake Tahoe has been years in the making to fix the environmental damage done by the creation of the Tahoe Keys.

Free financial literacy seminar to assist with COVID-19 related budget challenges

Event Date: 
April 30, 2020 - 4:00pm

The Tahoe Prosperity Center will be holding a free and brief webinar on Financial Literacy in light of the financial impact Covid-19 is having on households in the Lake Tahoe community.

The webinar will be this Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. It is open to all residents in the Tahoe Basin that are interested in learning how to create or refine their personal budgeting skills.

The focus will be on how to track income versus expenses and will provide some simple tools and resources to help you create your own budget and spending plan.

El Dorado County lifts orders but California stay-at-home orders still in place

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One layer of stay-at-home orders has been lifted for El Dorado County as its Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams, has lifted her stay-at-home directive effective April 30, the original date it was to be lifted when set on March 19.

This doesn't mean that South Lake Tahoe and the county are open for business though as the State's order is still in effect.

"We are requesting from the Governor that we [South Lake Tahoe] can move towards reopening in a phased approach with attention paid to his six guidelines," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Jason Collin.

Roadwork schedule for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra for April 25-May 2

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until the building season begins in May. The following is their weekly schedule:

Please remember to stay home except for essential needs.
California is under a Stay-at-Home Order and only essential travel is permitted.
~ Avoid travel ~ Stay-at-Home ~ Beat COVID-19 ~
Learn more at covid19.ca.gov
#StayHomeSaveLives

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Sue Novasel to hold virtual town hall meetings on VHR issues

Event Date: 
May 13, 2020 - 5:00pm

Please note, scheduling change)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Supervisor for Area 5, Sue Novasel, will be holding two virtual Town Hall meetings to discuss vacation home rental (VHR) issues. She will be joined by El Dorado County staff to discuss the rentals in the County portion of the Tahoe Basin.

The first will be held on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities weekly tip: #5: Identify your home's ember vulnerabilities

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their fifth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home.

Did you know embers are the leading cause of wildfire-related home ignitions?

Column: Enjoy outdoor recreation wisely

Beautiful weather and a case of cabin fever from shelter in place directives have many of us yearning to get outside. Being in nature provides many wellness benefits. When we leave home to enjoy the bounty of outdoor activities, parks, and trails around us, we can honor those working on the front-line of the coronavirus pandemic by doing our part to stay healthy and keep each other safe.

Column: 50 years of progress for Lake Tahoe and the nation

Celebrations have taken on many new forms since the start of social distancing. Birthday parties have become processions of cars parading past a celebrant’s home—people honking and waving, tossing candy and small gifts (for later disinfecting, then enjoying). And huge international celebrations like the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week have moved online, giving room for individuals to celebrate and explore the conservation movement in new ways.

El Dorado County supervisors add $1,000 fine for vacation home rental use in Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to issue citations to anyone violating the ban on nonessential travel in the Lake Tahoe Basin as it pertains to the use of vacation home rentals (VHRs).

Anyone found using a VHR is subject to a $1,000 fine per day of violation.

USFS closures at spots around Lake Tahoe, not just SR89 corridor

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Earlier this week the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced all national forest recreation areas and sites in the South Shore Recreation Corridors were closed to the public with fines for individuals or groups disobeying the order.

They said the closures were to keep in alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers.

Week full of virtual activities for 50th anniversary of Earth Day

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There will be no Earth Day Celebration festivals around the lake this year, but Lake Tahoe and Truckee event organizers have created a virtual version with daily activities for the whole family.

Despite the current global situation, everyone can still celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day thanks to the team at The Tahoe Fund spearheaded a group via their Take Care program that has provided daily activities and challenges for students and parents to participate in over the course of the week.

South Shore concierge service provides free grocery delivery for seniors and those in need

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe-based concierge service is now offering free grocery delivery to seniors over the age of 65 and to those in need.

Tahoe Warm Welcome has been providing home and guest services to homeowners and visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin since 2006. Operated by two long-time locals with over 30 years of customer service experience, they are no expanding what they offer during the coronavirus pandemic to include free shopping services for seniors and anti-viral sterilization cleaning packages for the home.

Series of webinars covering future of transportation in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
April 20, 2020 - 12:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The public is invited to attend a series of webinars that will allow participants to explore the future of Lake Tahoe's transportation system through the Regional Transportation Plan. The plan outlines the projects and programs that will shape the next 20 years of Lake Tahoe’s transportation system.

The Regional Transportation Plan is the transportation vision for the Tahoe Basin. The plan focuses on transit, trails, technology, and communities to support the environment, economy, quality of life, and visitor experience.

Follow the links below to register:

USFS closes South Shore Recreation areas: Up to $10,000 fine for violation of order

(Since publishing, LTBMU has corrected the date their order expires.)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All national forest recreation areas and sites in the South Shore Recreation Corridors are now closed. In an announcement Wednesday, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) said the closures are to keep in alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers.

Agencies seek public input on 59,000 acre Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proposed Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project is in the final planning stages and the three agencies involved, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California Tahoe Conservancy, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, are inviting the public to provide their input. The project is a big one, covering 59,000 acres, and will provide a science-based, all-lands approach to guide restoration approaches on the West Shore over the next two decades to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.

Barton Health community update: Medical Corps needed, 1300 masks made

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Working closely with state and county health agencies in a regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton Health is preparing for an anticipated patient surge by more than doubling its hospital bed capacity as well as expanding its facilities to accommodate patients who may be infected by the virus.

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