The Lake Tahoe Water Quality Issues workshop addressed the diminishing water clarity of Lake Tahoe and the effect this has on the recreation/tourism-based economy of the region. The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants and highlighted a number of areas of agreement on successes, challenges and needed actions, Sessions were held on three aspects of Lake Tahoe water quality: water clarity, watershed management and wetlands and stream restoration.
Water Clarity. Participants agreed that Lake Tahoe water clarity is worsening, that the beauty of the Lake draws visitors and drives the recreation/tourism-based economy, and that further worsening of the water clarity will have a major negative impact on the region's economy. It was agreed that there is strong scientific basis for action and that tools and additional data need to be developed in order to help direct scarce resources to the most effective solutions.
Watershed Management. There was consensus that poorly-planned development and the resulting erosion have led to increased run-off into the lake, increasing the Lake's nutrient level and degrading water quality. Participants agreed that better environmental monitoring is needed, as well as increased coordinated research and planning efforts among all of the partners in the Basin.
Wetlands and Stream Zone Restoration. There was agreement that the loss and degradation of existing wetlands and stream zones has contributed greatly to the water clarity problem by reducing the natural filtration which they provide. The consensus was that there is a need for continued wetlands protection and restoration efforts, as well as for continued and accelerated sensitive land acquisition for erosion control, and logging road rehabilitation.
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Last updated: August 12, 1997