TCSF Newsletter Winter, 1996

Program for Building Information and Technology Capacity

The Program began with its first internet home page, a draft created for TCSF and located on the World Wide Web through the California Resources Agency CERES server at:

http://ceres.ca.gov/tcsf/tcsfhome.html

The TRPA pages are now being created and a number of initiatives are being developed to assist TRPA in more efficiently providing information to the public, stakeholders, realtors, developers and interested parties. One of the first is to develop remote access using the internet and web pages for the Individual Parcel Evaluation System (IPES), by which every developable parcel in the Tahoe Basin is rated with a score for its development potential.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with TRPA, Institute for Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute to work together on the entire second application of the program. As a multi-year project, it will integrate with the TRPA program for real time monitoring. This application will create computer presentation tools for TRPA thresholds, allow residents and stakeholders to understand their need and operation, convene an approach to defining, understanding and implementing sustainability in the Tahoe region and ultimately work to create systemic changes which achieve environmental standards using least cost methods.

Sustainability Curriculum Program

Following the successful pilot program in September, partners Sierra Nevada College (SNC), UNEX - UC Davis and TTREC are developing the program for 1996. Program manager Sue Rae Irelan heads the effort, which has four goals 1) allow students to work on real life applications related to the economy, environment and human well being, 2) provide support for teachers to access state of the art scientific knowledge and follow up projects, 3) promote learner-based, thematic or integrated education which involves parents, school district officials, community leaders and resources professionals, and 4) build on the existing curriculum for efficiency. The 1996 Program will focus on recreation activities and their relationships with water and watersheds, tieing in to a Tahoe Truckee Forum theme for October of recreation as an economic development strategy.

NTIA Grant/Information Technology Program

The grant began on October 15 and was placed on hold while the fiscal/management partners in Sacramento decide how to administer it. They expect resolution and a go ahead by the end of March.

New Board Member

Charles Levitan of SNC announced his resignation from the Board to meet other commitments, and TCSF is very pleased to have Lennard Glogauer replace him. Glogauer is the Vice President of Sierra Nevada College, and he recently left GTE as an executive after nearly 30 years of broad experience. Glogauer will fill the position of Vice-Chair to replace Levitan and will maintain the strong connection to Sierra Nevada College.

Joseph Kruth (702) 588-2342