Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service now manages 77 percent of the Basin. In 1973, to better manage these lands, the Forest Service formed the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). While still part of the three National Forests, the LTBMU, has improved coordination with the partners within the Basin.
The Forest Service has successfully acquired thousands of acres in an effort to protect water quality, provide public access and recreation, restore the watershed and wetlands, and improve the overall forest health of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Since the early 1980s, the Forest Service has acquired over 11,000 acres of environmentally-sensitive lands authorized by the Santini-Burton Act (PL 96-586) valued at $99 million, and 3,048 acres through land exchanges. These lands include 3,400 urban-lot parcels. Three House bills have been introduced in Congress since 1991 (the most recent was HR 2122) to designate the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) a National Forest. Land ownership in the Lake Tahoe Basin is approximately:
The Forest Service also manages many recreation facilities, including several world-class ski resorts, marinas, historic interpretive sites, 945 camping sites, crosscountry skiing trails, and hiking on 216 miles of trails that traverse three Wilderness areas. The majority of National Forest land encompasses most of the non-urban wetlands, meadows and Stream Environment Zones; important fish habitat; wildlife habitat; and the available open space for recreation and environmental interpretation opportunities.
In addition to recreation, key Forest Service programs include: watershed restoration to reduce nutrients flowing into the lake and to restore damaged wildlife and fisheries habitat; Erosion Control Grants to local and state agencies; Forest monitoring that tracks water quality; and vegetation management actions such as fire suppression, prescribed fire, and commercial and non-commercial thinning are employed to improve wildlife habitat, visual quality, vegetative health, and reduce the risk of large catastrophic wild fires.
Natural Resource Conservation Service
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, South Lake Tahoe Field Office, provides ecosystem-based technical assistance, program coordination and environmental education and information to 55,000 residents within the Lake Tahoe Basin. NRCS programs include stream and wetland restoration, forest health, storm water runoff conveyance and treatment and assistance to homeowners. These programs are implemented on a watershed basis in partnership with the local Resource Conservation Districts, local, state and federal agencies and private groups and organizations.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, EPA was involved in assisting with the development of water and air quality plans that serve as points of reference for the Tahoe Regional Plan and environmental threshold carrying capacities that guide the activities of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Since 1975, EPA has awarded grants to TRPA and to local governments in the Tahoe Basin for water quality management planning, sediment and erosion control projects, wastewater treatment facilities ($60 million), and wetlands management. Presently, EPA is administering the Federal transit Authority the South Shore Tahoe Transportation Project, a $2.5 million environmental technology demonstration grant.
Geological Survey
The Geological Survey participates in the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program in a cooperative effort with TRPA and the University of California at Davis. Through that program, the USGS measures streamflow and water quality at a number of sites on 10 major streams flowing into the lake. The USGA also monitors ground water levels and quality in major aquifers in the Basin.
Bureau of Land Management
Although the Bureau of Land Management does not manage any land in the Lake Tahoe Basin, it is involved in land exchanges and the Santini-Burton Act of 1980. Receipts from the sale of surplus BLM land in the Las Vegas area have been used to acquire environmentally sensitive land in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
US Fish and Wildlife Service
The Fish and Wildlife Service is the lead agency for endangered species listing and recovery in the Tahoe Basin. The USFWS has been working with the Forest Service on bald eagle management and the effects of winter recreationists on bald eagle foraging behavior in the Basin.
Bureau of Reclamation
The top 6.1 feet of the lake is a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir that supplies water to downstream water users (primarily Nevada) including the Reno metropolitan area, the Newlands Irrigation Project, and Pyramid Lake. The usable storage capacity is 744,600 acre-feet and releases are controlled exclusively by the Federal Watermaster.
The Army Corps of Engineers has initiated a Tahoe Basin Study that will focus on water quality, wetlands habitat, and other environmental restoration opportunities in three subbasins of the Tahoe Lake Basin. An expedited reconnaissance study for the Tahoe Basin was initiated in November 1996 and is scheduled for completion in October 1997. The reconnaissance study is fully federally funded. The purpose of the study is to outline the resource problems in the basin and develop a scope, schedule, and federal interest for a subsequent detailed feasibility study. Preliminary recommendations of the reconnaissance study are to initiate a cost-shared feasibility study for the Upper Truckee River and Trout Creek watersheds, and to conduct additional reconnaissance studies for other subbasins.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which maintains Division offices in the State capitals of Sacramento and Carson City, administers the Federal Aid program for highway and multi-modal transportation investments. The Federal program relies on State and metropolitan planning and priority setting to identify specific local investments. An FHWA Regional office in San Francisco provides environmental, technical and administrative support.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides funding assistance to local transit systems via the same planning and decision making processes as FHWA. All administration is provided by the FTAs Regional office in San Francisco.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates the national air traffic system, including the air traffic control towers at the Lake Tahoe Airport and Reno International Airport. The FAAs Airport Division Office in San Francisco administers the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), through which Federal funds are invested in capital improvements.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) oversees rail safety measures from its Regional office in Sacramento. The U.S. Coast Guard oversees boating safety from its Station in Tahoe City.
The private sector is a major partner in local environmental protection and economic revitalization efforts. Private property and business owners participate in a number of ways; through payment of air quality and water quality mitigation fees on new development, by incorporating threshold attainment components into project design, and by adjusting to a land use plan which allocates annual growth. The private sector, through mitigation measures and project design, is a critical partner in improving the scenic quality of the built environment to respond to the needs of the touring public and position itself as a destination resort.
At the local level there are a large number of public and private agencies and organizations involved in managing, improving, and developing environmental and economic conditions at Lake Tahoe. Within California and Nevada, there are five counties, one municipality, one redevelopment authority, two resource conservation districts, more than twenty public utility and general improvement districts, several non profit organizations, and a number of chamber of commerces and visitors authorities, all addressing environment, recreation, property rights, economy, and sustainability.
From acquiring important areas near Lake Tahoe, to educating the public about recreation, water quality, and economic opportunities, and improving planning, public utilities, and the local economy, these local public and private agencies and organizations are working to protect and restore the Lake Tahoe Basin.
At the joint request of the states of California and Nevada, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) was chartered by federal law under an interstate compact in 1969 (revised in 1980) as a bi-state planning and regulatory agency to manage growth and protect the lake and its surrounding environment. The 1980 Public Law establishes that the "maintenance of the social and economic health of the region depends on maintaining the significant scenic, recreational, educational, scientific, natural and public health values provided by the Lake Tahoe Basin." The law further finds that "the federal government has an interest in the acquisition of recreational property and the management of resources in the region to preserve environmental and recreational values, and the Federal Government should assist the States in fulfilling their responsibilities." Under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts TRPA has enforcement responsibilities for attaining environmental thresholds for air and water quality, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, vegetation management, noise, recreation, and scenic quality. TRPA has also developed an Environmental Improvement Program and an integrated set of environmental improvement projects.
The State of Nevada has a strong commitment to Lake Tahoe, as shown by the many state programs in the Basin. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, managed by the Division of State Parks, provides lake access and acres of forest and meadowland for picnicking, camping, hiking and fishing. The Division of Forestry participates in managing the forest ecosystem, especially on State and private lands, and in preventing and fighting wildfires.
The Division of State Lands is responsible for the administration of two state bond programs in the Basin. Under a 1986 Tahoe Bond Act, the agency has spent more than $26 million to acquire approximately 500 parcels of environmentally sensitive land, and has issued more than $7 million in erosion control grants to local governments. In 1996 voters approved a $20 million bond for erosion control and stream restoration work in the Basin. Special Lake Tahoe license plates will be issued, with the proceeds directed to the Division of State Lands to protect the water quality of the lake. The Department of Transportation maintains its state road network in the Basin.
Through the Nevada Division of Water Planning, $8.5 million in bond funds have been committed in grants for improvements to community water systems. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has provided more than $21 million in grants, loans and program support for environmental planning, resource protection, pollution control and program support work. The focus of these and other state agencies is to work cooperatively with local, regional, and federal agencies to protect and enhance the lake and the environment of the Basin. The state DEP is the lead agency responsible for implementing EPA's programs.
The State of California has primary responsibility for implementing the majority of federal programs on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The California Tahoe Conservancy administers programs involved in the acquisition, improvement, and management of land in the Tahoe Basin, either directly or through grants, to protect the natural environment, to provide public access and recreation opportunities, and to preserve wildlife habitat areas. To enhance access, restore wildlife habitat and streams, and acquire environmentally sensitive areas, the Conservancy has authorized the expenditure of more than $146 million, acquiring more than 5,250 parcels of land, and completing 320 site improvements.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation operates five major recreational facilities, creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation, and at the same time protecting the State's most valued natural and cultural resource. At Lake Tahoe, the Department of Boating and Waterway's focus is the development and improvement of boating facilities, and the promotion of boating safety, education and enforcement.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection maintains a full-time fire station at Lake Tahoe and is responsible for protection on certain private and state-owned lands. The agency provides forestry management services to the Tahoe Conservancy, and is an active member of the Lake Tahoe Unified Steering Group and the Forest Health Consensus Group.
Within the Lahontan Region, the State Water Quality Control Board preserves and enhances the quality of Lake Tahoe, regulating operations such as stormwater treatment, timber harvest, water quality standards, dredging, and cattle grazing.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintains 163 miles of state highways in the Basin. Since 1975, Caltrans has spent approximately $11.5 million on roadside drainage and erosion control. Working with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and local agencies, Caltrans continues to identify new projects that will contribute to the water quality of the Basin.
The California Office of Tourism focused on Lake Tahoe with its Ski California marketing program, and as part of its statewide CalTour program. Additionally, the Office of Tourism sponsored the Western Summit on Tourism and Public Lands, which was held at Lake Tahoe last year.
University of Nevada, Reno; University of California, Davis; Successful management strategies in the past have been on a sound scientific foundation. A cooperative research partnership among federal, state and local entities have provided the basis for such successes.
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Sustainable Future, a 501(C)(3) organization
dedicated to achieving a sustainable future for the entire Lake Tahoe region.
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Last updated: July 25, 1997