environmental

South Lake Tahoe first Sierra community to have goal of 100% renewable energy

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Residents of South Lake Tahoe take pride in their city, its beauty, charm and recreational opportunities, and action during Tuesday's City Council gave people another reason to appreciate their community.

In honor of Earth Day, the City of South Lake Tahoe joined at least 26 other municipalities in the United States, and the latest in a growing coalition of mountain communities, to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by the year 2032.

Caltrans project outlined to South Lake Tahoe community

For the next three summers, Caltrans crews will be in town to work on their U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Highway Improvement Project, and Caltrans spoke with locals Wednesday evening about what they could expect during the project which starts May 1, 2017 and should end by winter, 2019. This will be their last Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) task to collect and treat stormwater runoff which accomplishes several other goals as well.

$57 million will be spent in South Lake Tahoe to also:

South Lake Tahoe Democratic Club holds monthly meeting

Event Date: 
April 20, 2017 - 6:00pm

Learn how you can become involved with the South Lake Tahoe Democratic Club during their monthly meeting at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course on April 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

They hold meetings on the third Thursday of each month and Democrats and progressives are encouraged to attend. Items on the agenda include reports from subcommittees on candidate identification and endorsement, rapid response and community service and outreach.

Douglas County declares State of Emergency prior to Spring runoff

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential of flooding associated with spring runoff and for stormy conditions such as this weekend. . The declaration has been submitted to the State of Nevada and will allow regional partners to expedite mitigation efforts as well as speed up the delivery of resources required to more effectively respond to an emergency.

Weather permitting, prescribed burning to continue in Lake Tahoe

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD), California State Parks (Parks) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have scheduled more prescribed burns in the Lake Tahoe area, as long as weather permits the operations.

Starting Monday, April 10, burning may take place near Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Round Hill, Lower Kingsbury Grade, South Lake Tahoe, and Meyers.

Areas on the map above:
A) 30 acres in the Glenbrook area (TDFPD)
B) 40 acres in Edgewood Creek area (TDFPD)
C) 15 acres in Lower Kingsbury area (TDFPD)
D) 30 acres at Burton Creek State Park (Parks)

Caltrans to hold public meeting about 3 year long SLT road project

Event Date: 
April 12, 2017 - 5:45pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is inviting the public to a meeting on Wednesday, April 12 from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Library to learn more about their upcoming project on two miles of U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.

A project presentation will start at 6 p.m. Caltrans staff will be available after the presentation to answer questions.

Long summer of major road projects ahead for South Lake Tahoe

Get ready for the second of two seasons for South Lake Tahoe: Road Construction (the other being winter).

Caltrans will start their almost $57 million project along Highway 50 (US50) from the "Y" to Trout Creek Bridge on May 1, 2017.

90% of Mountain yellow-legged frogs have disappeared in Sierras, can they recover?

Event Date: 
April 6, 2017 - 6:00pm

Imagine a world with no frogs. No longer would you hear frog melodies in the evening, algae would flourish, and entire ecosystems could change dramatically. This is a possibility in the Sierra Nevada because 90 percent of the Mountain yellow-legged frogs have been disappearing due to an amphibian pathogen and loss of habitat from fish introductions in our lakes.

Prescribed burning resumes around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service plan on continuing prescribed fire operations April 3, weather and conditions permitting.

Scheduled operations are near Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Round Hill, Kingsbury Grade, and Meyers.

A) 30 acres in Glenbrook
B) 40 acres at Edgewood Creek
C) 15 acres on Lower Kingsbury
D) 30 acres at Burton Creek State Park
E) 50 acres at Logan Creek and Highway 50 near Cave Rock
F) 20 acres on Grass Lake Road and SR89
G) 30 acres on SR89 and Luther Pass

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Sass: Loop Road, housing and bike trails

With the warm spell of late, at lake level it looks like the big snow storms never happened. However, go up above 8,000 feet and you see a much different picture. Atop Heavenly’s Dipper Chair there is an information shack that is between 8-10 feet high. Next to it is 10 foot high signage indicating where the runs are. As of today, you can’t see either of these. Over 50 feet of snow fell up there and even with the melt and the settling, there is still a ton of white stuff. I expect our streams will be flowing into August and our mountains might stay white throughout the summer.

Prescribed burning set to resume around Lake Tahoe

The California Tahoe Conservancy, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service are planning on continuing prescribed fire operations March 27, depending on conditions.

If fire crews get the okay, operations will be near Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Round Hill, Kingsbury Grade, and South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe - 15 acres at Sunset Stables Property. North of Elks Club neighborhood, East of Upper Truckee River.

South Shore Nevada - Lower Kingsbury Area - 15 acres, Edgewood Creek Area - 40 acres.

Creating transportation infrastructure key to getting locals, commuter and visitors out of cars

Lake Tahoe must improve its internal transportation systems before they can expect visitors to the region to get out of their cars and use different, and better, ways of getting around. That was the message during last week's Tahoe Talks presentation by Lake Tahoe transportation partners, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and El Dorado County.

What trails do you think need priority maintenance? Let USFS know

Over 16 million people use the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service (R5), and input is needed from those users on what they feel are nine to 15 priority areas for needed trail maintenance.

The region encompasses California and contains more than 16,000 miles of trails managed by USFS.

One the public helps them identify needs, the USFS effort will be with partners and volunteers to increase the pace of trail maintenance.

Global climate change the focus on next TERC Talk in Incline Village

Event Date: 
April 20, 2017 - 5:30pm

Humans produce carbon pollution. It's no secret. When we drive our cars, heat and light our homes, grow our food... we emit CO2. All around the world, habitats called carbon sinks have absorbed approximately 25% of this carbon pollution reducing the risk of global warming impacts without imposing a monetary cost on society.

Lake Tahoe license plate program trying new ideas to spur sales

The Lake Tahoe license plate has been around for 25 years in California, one of 12 special interest plates people can choose from when registering their vehicles.

Funds collected from sales are allocated to the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) who is required to support “preservation and restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe area” and for “establishing and improving trails, pathways, and public access for nonmotorized traffic.”

STHS grad returns with Audio Threat for Tahoe Arts Project performances

Event Date: 
March 31, 2017 - 7:00pm

Tahoe Arts Project is presenting a night of music, dancing and drumming when Audio Threat takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. on March 31 at Harrah's Tahoe.

Audio Threat features South Lake Tahoe native, Nikki Grant, Jared Hren and DJ- Dyna “Mic” Duo.

Prescribed burning resumes around Lake Tahoe

If conditions are favorable, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service may resume prescribed fire operations beginning today, March 16, 2017. Operations may take place near Tahoe City and Glenbrook and may continue as conditions allow.

On the schedule is the burning of 50 acres of hand piles at Logan Creek Drive and Highway 50 as well as 30 acres at Burton Creek State Park between North Tahoe High and Rocky Ridge Properties.

Knight's Inn purchase approved; All phases of Bijou Park Creek project outlined

The South Lake Tahoe City Council made it official Tuesday and unanimously approved the purchase of the Knight's Inn for $5,935,000, paving the way for the 850-acre Bijou Park Creek Watershed Restoration Project. The 110-unit Knight's Inn, a motel built in 1956 on Highway 50 near Ski Run Blvd., has been owned by the Patel family since 1994.

"This project has been in the works for 10-12 years," said Pradip Patel. "This is the best for me, my family, and the community."

Special SLT City Council meeting Tuesday on purchase of Knight's Inn

What is officially known as the Bijou Park Creek Watershed Restoration Project, or unofficially the Knight's Inn Project, will be brought before the South Lake Tahoe City Council to be approved during a special meeting on Tuesday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m.

The three phase, 850-acre project will be both an environmental and economic development project, something the City has been working on for several years.

South Lake Tahoe Democrats to start meeting monthly

Event Date: 
March 16, 2017 - 6:00pm

The South Lake Tahoe Democrats will meet monthly at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course beginning March 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, and Democrats and progressives are encouraged to attend.

Items on the March 16 agenda include:

- Reports from subcommittees on local immigration issues, health care, candidate recruitment and more

World Cup skiing and Celebrity Pro-Am events at Squaw Valley this weekend

With the Audi FIS Ski World Cup women's races at Squaw Valley starting on March 9, several other events will be going on at the North Lake Tahoe resort which include a concert featuring actor Dennis Quaid and his band The Sharks, and a Toyota Celebrity Pro-Am. Skiers participating in the Pro-Am include Quaid, Bret Saberhagen, Ed Begley, Jr., Ben Stiller, Bobby Kennedy, Jr. and Cheryl Hines. They will be joined by former and current U.S.

Local schools celebrate reading and Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, and to honor the beloved children's author better known as Dr. Seuss, Read Across America is celebrated annually on March 2.

This annual reading motivation and awareness program calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on this day, and schools in South Lake Tahoe joined in with guest readers in the classroom, and some joined in with Dr. Seuss inspired costumes.

Best in Base Award nominations accepted through March 31

Stateline, Nevada – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is accepting nominations for its annual Best in Basin awards program through Friday, March 31.

TRPA created the awards program to recognize projects that demonstrate exceptional planning and design and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

New Tahoe Chamber CEO brings passion for business and economic development

"I'm looking for opportunities to build strategic relationships and leverage resources, and not duplicating what we already have," Craig A. Schmidt said after being on the job for five days at the Tahoe Chamber. "That is what excites me about the South Shore."

Schmidt is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, a job vacant since July 1, 2016 when "B" Gorman left to develop her coaching business.

Northstar Mountain 20-year master plan approved by Placer County Board of Supervisors

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF., - The Northstar Mountain Master Plan was approved Tuesday by the Placer County Board of Supervisors, providing a roadmap for the next 20 years for the North Lake Tahoe resort.

South Lake Tahoe school boundaries discussed at next LTUSD board meeting

During the last meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees, discussion about neighborhood schools and theme schools surrounded the proposed STEAM Academy at Al Tahoe Elementary when it reopens. STEAM - science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics - would be the focus of all students at the school, much as the themes surround all other local elementary schools.

At the request of the board, LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Tarwater will present the demographic data from each school in relation to where they reside.

Opinion: Why themed schools work in South Lake Tahoe

As we look at reopening the Al Tahoe Elementary School as a STEAM academy, it is important to take a look back at the journey Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has taken to get to where we are today.

Following decades of desegregation efforts and forced busing, lawsuits in the 1990s effectively brought a halt to desegregation efforts in the country. Neighborhood schools in South Lake Tahoe may have been segregated, not only based on race, but based on income levels.

Tahoe Truckee Unified School District receives largest rebate ever awarded by Liberty Utilities

Almost $20,000 was recently awarded to the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) for improvements made in 2016 to increase energy efficiency at two school facilities.

Even though the check Liberty Utilities gave to TTUSD was for $19,638.42, the district can expect more than $15,700 in annual energy bill savings.

The rebate represented the largest incentive payment provided to any commercial customer by Liberty Utilities since it began operations in the Lake Tahoe and surrounding region.

The district made the following two changes:

Tahoe Grown water bottles being sold for Magnet School's 5th grade fundraiser

The fifth-grade class at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School is selling water unique "Tahoe Grown" Klean Kanteen water bottles to fund their spring activities.

Maybe you need valentine gifts, bottles for your Tahoe kids away from college, or stock up for your Lake Tahoe friends and family.

The metal, lightweight 27-ounce bottles are $20 and 100 percent of proceeds go to the class.

Checks can be made out to the LTESMS PTA. To purchase, find your favorite LTESMS fifth grader or contact Michelle at glitzypursegirl@yahoo.com.

TRPA accepting Lake Spirit Award nominations

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is looking for nominees for the 2017 Lake Spirit Award, a recognition of people who exhibit a special dedication to conserving Lake Tahoe.

From installing erosion control measures to minimizing car trips, everyone can help Lake Tahoe and those that are committed to the a spirit of cooperation and protecting the lake are eligible.

National focus on South Lake Tahoe's snowpack during Operation Sierra Storm

The annual television meteorologist's conference, Operation Sierra Storm (OSS), couldn't have happened at a better time to bring the national spotlight to early January's storms fondly nicknamed Snowmageddon and Januburied.

Jim Cantore and Paul Goodloe, leading correspondents at The Weather Channel, both broadcast live from Heavenly Mountain Resort and showcased South Lake Tahoe’s powder-filled ski conditions for two days, eight hours each day during the historic snowfall January 10-13, 2017.

Tahoe RCD records largest stormwater flows at monitoring sites during recent storm

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - The January 7, 2017 storm that hit the Sierra Nevada and brought with it over 5 inches of rain before several feet of snow, also brought along some records, too.

During this storm event the Tahoe Resource Conservaton District (TRCD) Stormwater Monitoring Program measured the highest flows ever recorded at all eight of their monitoring locations since monitoring began in 2013. The Tahoe Valley site, located off Tahoe Keys Blvd., measured 1.5 million cubic feet of flow, nearly 90 percent of the flow that was observed throughout the whole 2016 water year!

UCD lecture at Incline: Political Polarization and Policymaking

Aggravated Divisions: Political Polarization and Policymaking after the 2016 Election with Dr. Christopher Hare from the UC Davis Department of Political Science is the next topic at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) lecture in Incline Village on February 2 at 5:30 p.m.

UCD lecture at Incline: Climate change and lake temperature in the Sierra Nevada

Event Date: 
February 9, 2017 - 5:30pm

While climate can be an important factor controlling lake temperatures, in many lakes, water temperatures are responding differently than air temperatures. Through decades of climate and water temperature data from Sierra Nevada, Dr. Steve Sadro was able to illustrate the magnitude of warming taking place and demonstrate the role of winter snow-pack in regulating lake temperatures. Sadro and his findings will be featured at the next UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) discussion on February 9. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30 p.m.

TRPA approves Tahoe Basin Area Plan, Lodge Project

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board on Wednesday unanimously approved Placer County’s Tahoe Basin Area Plan and the Tahoe City Lodge Project.

“This is the fourth area plan approved at Lake Tahoe and an important milestone for implementing the 2012 Regional Plan,” said Joanne S. Marchetta, executive director of TRPA. “With this plan, we can take significant steps to improve the environment and strengthen communities on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore.”

Squaw Valley expands World Cup weekend to include Toyota ProAm

While the top women’s alpine ski racers in the world prepare to descend on Squaw Valley March 10-11 for the Audi FIS Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom and Slalom races, another group of seasoned competitors will also be setting their sights on the California resort with the addition of the Toyota ProAm Ski Challenge to the weekend’s festivities.

Tahoe Keys property owners apply for 2018 herbicide trial

In their ongoing battle with aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys, the area's property owners association has applied for a permit to test herbicides in the lagoon in 2018.

Guest Columnist: Let’s keep Tahoe’s progress going

Twenty-five years ago, I finished my graduate work in Oregon and moved to Northern Nevada for a planning position at TRPA. Having spent a large part of my youth hiking and camping at Tahoe and in the Sierra, the move felt like coming home.

Controversy brewing as City and County reps on Tahoe Conservancy Board resign

Friday's board meeting of the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) was delayed almost two hours due to ice on the road near near Zephyr Cove, causing it to close, and those weren't the only icy conditions on the South Shore that day.

The other ice could be felt during the meeting as conflict of interest, ethics, integrity, suspicious actions and lack of transparency were the theme of the day.

All three items on the agenda Friday were placed there amid a stressed relationship between the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and Patrick Wright, the Executive Director of the CTC.

Douglas County School Board turns down $100k request from buyer of KMS

During their meeting Tuesday, the Douglas County School District Board of Trustees turned down a request by the buyer of Kingsbury Middle School (KMS) for almost $100,000 to be spent on a environmental impact study of the planned development of the South Shore property.

'Ski with a Ranger' set to begin at Heavenly Mountain Resort

Tons of new snow has fallen in the Lake Tahoe Basin over the past week, just in time to Ski with a Ranger. The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit invites the public to participate in the free program while skiing and boarding at Heavenly Mountain Resort beginning Friday, January 20, 2017. Tours begin at the top of the gondola every Monday and Friday at 1:00 p.m. The tours last approximately one hour and continue through April 7, 2017, weather permitting.

New Tahoe Chamber CEO announced

What is Mammoth Lakes' loss will be Lake Tahoe's gain as the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) has selected their new Chief Executive Officer from the mountain resort community to the south.

Craig A. Schmidt, the current Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce in Mammoth Lakes, will take over his new position on the South Shore February 6.

The Chamber's Board selected Schmidt, an accomplished chamber professional with 22 years of experience in business, workforce and tourism development.

Basin fire operations to continue on North Shore next week

If conditions are favorable, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. They will take place on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe near Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, and Incline Village.

A) Jennifer/Tyner Urban Fuels Reduction area near Incline Village will have 34 acres of hand piles scheduled to be burned.

B) Tahoe City along Fairway, across from NTFPD Station 51 - 8 acres to be burned.

C) Hwy 267 has 50 acres schedule for burning.

California, at forefront of climate fight, won’t back down to Trump

Foreign governments concerned about climate change may soon be spending more time dealing with Sacramento than Washington.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has packed his cabinet with nominees who dispute the science of global warming. He has signaled he will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. He has belittled the notion of global warming and attacked policies intended to combat it.

Sign ups being taken for Magnet School kindergarten lottery

The lottery to assign spots for the Fall '17 kindergarten class at Lake Tahoe Environmental School (Magnet School) will be held in Spring. Signups to be part of the lottery will start when school resumes after the holidays on January 9.

It is not a first-come, first-served process so parents have until the end of March to sign up.

More prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe starting Monday

The North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts may continue prescribed fire operations next week if conditions are favorable. Areas scheduled to be burned are in the Glenbrook, Round Hill, Lower Kingsbury Grade and Tahoe City area.

To view a map with project locations and details, visit the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) website at http://www.tahoefft.org.

Burns in areas A-D (see map):

(A) North Lake Tahoe Fire District will be burning 5 acres in the Bunker Drive area.

Opinoin: Passage of Lake Tahoe Restoration Act caps year of progress

Four years ago this month, TRPA approved the 2012 Regional Plan. The landmark plan charts a course to restore Lake Tahoe’s environment and revitalize our communities and it was forged through Herculean work by California, Nevada, local governments, the public, and dozens of other partners.

Many Tahoe Basin stakeholders once questioned if we could work together, but the Regional Plan ushered in an era of collaboration. Today, the answer is how can we work together more efficiently. By building and strengthening partnerships we have made remarkable progress. This year was no different.

Prescribed burns resume around South Lake Tahoe

If weather conditions allow, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled prescribed fire operations at four South Lake Tahoe area locations.

South Upper Truckee area (B on the map) - 50 acres of hand piles will be burned by USFS starting December 12 and continuing as conditions permit. Seven days burn down time. Smoke should flow North /Northeast.

North Upper Truckee area (D on the map) - 12 acres of hand piles will be burned by USFS starting December 12 and continuing as conditions permit. Seven days burn down time. Smoke should flow North /Northeast.

Late night vote in Washington brings $415 million to Lake Tahoe

Late Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the U.S. Senate in passing the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016, which will bring $415 million in future funding to Lake Tahoe over the next seven years. The decision brought cheers from many local agencies, including the League to Save lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

South Lake Tahoe Endowment gives out $50,000 in grants to local schools and nonprofits

The South Lake Tahoe Endowment Cabinet awarded $50,000 to South Lake Tahoe area non-profits and schools during a recent reception at South Tahoe High School.

Wendy David, the Cabinet Chair, awarded the grants to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

Private donors fund the Foundation with money to be given back to the community in the form of grants.

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