A national scenic byway stretches along the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Transportation and parking improvements are planned for the roadway corridor that can see thousands of visitors a day.
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Public input is being sought on the draft of the eighth four-year evaluation conducted since the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency adopted measurable targets in the 1980s.
The threshold evaluation summary, detailed findings, and feedback survey are available at https://thresholds.laketahoeinfo.org/ThresholdEvaluation/Index/2023
The agency will present a final report to the TRPA Governing Board in June that will include recommended actions in response to the findings, changing conditions, public and stakeholder input, and advancements in science.
The Tahoe Science Advisory Council coordinates a peer review process to ensure that appropriate methods and the best available science are applied in the threshold evaluation.
“The Council is committed to maintaining a strong bridge between science and management, and the Threshold Evaluation peer review effort is a great example of how independent science advice can continue to support TRPA’s important work,” Tahoe Science Advisory Council Program Officer Bob Larsen said.
More than 90 percent of measurable standards of Lake Tahoe’s environmental health are stable or improving, according to the draft report presented to the agency’s Governing Board on Wednesday. The peer-reviewed 2023 Draft Threshold Evaluation identifies several areas, including aquatic invasive species, regional wildfires, and seasonal lake clarity trends that need more attention, better monitoring, or more research. The four-year report compiles scientific data on 140 indicators of environmental quality in the Tahoe Basin and measures the progress of science-based policies and restoration programs under the bi-state Tahoe Regional Plan.
“It’s incredible to see the hard work of public agencies and property owners making steady progress and making historic achievements in restoring Lake Tahoe and enhancing our communities,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Science-based policies and regional partnerships are essential to restoration on this scale. Many challenges are ahead, but the Regional Plan remains the blueprint for continued progress in the Tahoe Basin.”
The agency adopted measurable threshold standards that encompass 10 environmental categories, from water quality to wildlife, transportation, and scenic quality. The independent Tahoe Science Advisory Council conducted a peer review of the evaluation and provided input that will help future evaluations.
In addition to TRPA’s growth management system and limits on development, findings in the report show significant progress is coming from the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, is considered one of the most successful conservation programs in the nation.