environmental

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The last scheduled Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) project for Caltrans around Lake Tahoe is almost finished. All traffic-interfering work is now complete on the stretch of US50 from the Y to the Trout Creek Bridge.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance during their special meeting Thursday, one that relaxes the regulations regarding temporary signage, building permit fees, and outdoor restaurant seating rules.

As the City and County move into Governor Newsom's Stage 2 plans, restrictions placed on some places of business to promote social distancing and safety practices will not allow many to reopen in the same manner as pre-pandemic.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Spring is in full swing in the Tahoe Basin and Tahoe black bears are searching for food. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears results in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year, local law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On May 7, 2020, South Lake Tahoe lost a steadfast advocate for safe, clean drinking water and reliable wastewater services. James R. Jones, 77, a local engineer and avid sailor, served on South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors for 39 years (1977-1989, 1993-2020). During his tenure on the Board, Director Jones focused on building for the future, instead of 'kicking the can down the road.’

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The planned restoration project on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe is a big one, covering 59,000 acres, and will provide a science-based, all-lands approach to guide restoration approaches on the West Shore over the next two decades to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - Local boats will soon be able to get into Lake Tahoe, but boaters from out of the area will have to wait until COVID-19 reopening phases allow them.

On Friday the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced a phased approach to boating that discourages out-of-area visitation as part of state and local coordination on recreation guidelines for Lake Tahoe this season.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has unveiled his plan for the state to reopen under phase one starting May 9, 2020. Outdoor malls, restaurants, hair salons, and barber shops are among those able to reopen with new standards for safety.

"We must stay safe so we can stay open," said Sisolak of the ability to move into phase 2 by the end of May, or sooner.

"The beginning of the reopening of our economy is not the end of the coronavirus," said Sisolak during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "It's still with us, as strong as ever. It will not go away until there's a vaccine."

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has resumed prescribed fire operations in the Tahoe Basin. California State Parks is currently conducting operations at Burton Creek State Park on Tahoe’s northwest shore and will continue over the next three weeks, weather permitting. Smoke may be visible. View map with project locations/details at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/ and sign-up for prescribed fire notifications by sending an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Operation information:

What is being burned - Seven acres of hand piles

Celebrations have taken on many new forms since the start of social distancing. Birthday parties have become processions of cars parading past a celebrant’s home—people honking and waving, tossing candy and small gifts (for later disinfecting, then enjoying). And huge international celebrations like the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week have moved online, giving room for individuals to celebrate and explore the conservation movement in new ways.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation and deepest thanks to the Barton Health team for their efforts to address the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. This is an unprecedented time to work in health care, and the staff, physicians, and administration have risen to this challenge while showing perseverance, nimbleness, and strategic creativity. The dedication to their job and the brave face they don each day while arriving at work is humbling. As Board members and community members we are deeply moved by this courage.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proposed Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project is in the final planning stages and the three agencies involved, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California Tahoe Conservancy, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, are inviting the public to provide their input. The project is a big one, covering 59,000 acres, and will provide a science-based, all-lands approach to guide restoration approaches on the West Shore over the next two decades to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.

2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and now, more than ever, it is important to spend time reflecting on and celebrating Mother Earth. The Sierra Nevada Alliance (Alliance) is proud to provide a way to appreciate our planet and inspire advocacy from the safety of your couch during the coronavirus pandemic. The Alliance is inviting everyone to celebrate Earth Day online with the Virtual Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Watercraft inspections to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Lake Tahoe have halted until at least April 16 in response to Nevada and California Executive Orders on COVID-19, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Watercraft inspection stations, as well as the boat ramps at Cave Rock, Nevada and Tahoe City, California, will remain closed until it is deemed safe for personnel to return to work, they said.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At its last meeting, the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) authorized $912,000 for grants to advance climate change adaptation and improve community sustainability in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Conservancy Board approved three climate adaptation grants, all funded by Proposition 68:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council has announced they selected Joseph Irvin as the new city manager for South Lake Tahoe.

Irvin was one of four final candidates for the position that met with the community on Monday, giving them a chance to do their own interviews, ask questions, and fill out a questionnaire on their choices.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal land management agencies, will continue prescribed fire operations in the Tahoe Basin over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Smoke may be visible.

Aspen 1011 - USDA Forest Service - Location: Off Pioneer and Marshall trails near South Lake Tahoe. Burn Type: Hand Piles. Total Acreage: 10.00. Planned Ignition: 02/28/2020

Twin Peaks 1091 - USDA Forest Service - Location: Near corner of Pawnee Drive and Iroquois Circle, Meyers, CA. Burn Type: Hand Piles. Total Acreage: 30.00.

The following 86 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe during the months of December 2019 and January 2020:

DECEMBER

12/2
RALPH ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES

12/3
MCCOY CONSTRUCTION LLC

12/4
ANDREW BOWEN SERVICES

12/5
ACORN LANDSCAPING
MINTIER HARNISH LP

12/6
LWE HANDYMAN SERVICES
MINDEN HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
WHITE MAGIC MUSIC LLC

12/10
TAHOE CANNABUS

12/12
ALOIS BAUMGARTNER TAXI DRIVER

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has plans to continue prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe over the next several weeks, weather, conditions and staffing permitting.

In the map above, the following operations are scheduled (clockwise starting with Sugar Pine Point State Park):

Sugar Pine Point State Park - California State Parks
Rod Beaudry Trail northwest of Ehrman Manion
Burn Type: Hand Pile
Total Acreage: 2.00
Planned Ignition: 03/02/2020

Burton Creek State Park - California State Parks
Burton Creek State Park, North of Rocky Ridge

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On the 20th of each month in 2020, the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation (LTEF) is teaming up with Lake Tahoe AleWorx for a fundraising series where all proceeds during the evening will go to the special projects of LTEF.

Each month LTEF and South Tahoe Now will spotlight the event and feature information about a different area of the local education programs offered through Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and supported by LTEF.

Welcome to the ninth year summary of the SnowGlobe Music Festival. This is the first year the TRPA has done any monitoring and the event continues to violate TRPA’s pre-existing rules. We can add air pollution to the list of accomplishments for this event given the recent successful lawsuit by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Onsite inspections for building and fire continue to find violations (they have had violations every year) and the fireworks were moved to an open undeveloped area in the forest of Bijou Park this year.

Members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal land management agencies, will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin as conditions, staffing and weather allow. Smoke may be visible.

The following 12 areas are on the schedule:

Aspen Lily Lake 1011 - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Location: Powerline Road (Forest Road 12N08), off Pioneer Trail near South Lake Tahoe. Burn Type: Hand Piles - Total Acreage: 14.00 - Planned ignition: 1/25/20

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Melissa Berry, AP Psychology and US History teacher at South Lake Tahoe High School was selected to receive one of the five 2019 Carlston Family Foundation Outstanding Teachers of America Awards.

In November, Ms. Berry received a $15,000 cash award at the Carlston Family Foundation’s 17th Annual Awards Ceremony in Mill Valley, Calif. During Tuesday's Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) board meeting, she received an additional $5,000 grant for South Lake Tahoe High School.

Members of the Climate Crew, an environmental club at South Tahoe High School, attended the 2020 Citizens Climate Lobby Conference in Oakland last weekend.

Led by Lindsay Richardson, a teacher at STHS and advisor of the Climate Crew, eight seniors from the club took the four-hour drive to Oakland to hear new ideas on how to encourage the community and their peers to be environmentally friendly.

First up was the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) executive director, Mark Reynolds, with a passionate speech about the late founder and president of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Marshall Saunders.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Everyone has seen the pictures, piles of broken plastic sleds left behind in the snow, trash left behind on the beaches and even pet waste disposal bags left along the trails.

Shared on social media, these photos of irresponsible people enjoying the beauty of Lake Tahoe have spread like runny pancake batter. The reason most visit and live around the Lake Tahoe Basin is for the natural beauty everywhere one looks. The majestic peaks and pine-tree filled mountains, the crystal blue water, beaches lining much of the 72-mile circumference of the pristine Lake Tahoe.