Public has opportunity to comment on new Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan

An updated plan for the 72 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline is in the works, one that could enhance recreation while also bringing more piers and buoys to the lake. Stakeholders have been working collaboratively in developing solutions to both manage natural resources while improving access to the lake for recreational purposes.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, (TRPA) is asking for public comment as they go through the process of preparing a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan.

The proposed plan would update goals, policies, and regulations focused on shoreline structures such as marinas, piers, buoys, ramps, and boat slips to support water-dependent recreation and effective resource management. The plan includes five policy areas focusing on boating, access, marinas, piers, and low lake level adaptation, all to create a "fair and equal system of access."

Continuation of the 600-foot no-wake zone with 5 mph speed limit rule would continue in the Shoreline Plan.

Clear and concise rules with a simplified permitting process is in the plan as well as acceptance of some leeway for creative design with the guidelines.

Public Boat Ramps: Ramps could potentially expand from six feet to eight feet. New or potentially relocated ramps should be in areas with transportation hubs and be functional during low lake levels. There are currently six boat ramps at the lake and four public marina launches.

Concessions: Would be allowed with no permits.

Non-motorized Access: Policies would provide for safe navigation, storage racks for the beach and potential for funding for signage.

Marinas: Could improve facilities as long as they are linked to environmental benefits. There are currently 14 marinas around Lake Tahoe.

Buoys: Lakefront landowners and homeowner's associations could apply for new buoys per allotments. Landowners could apply for up to two buoys per parcel. Some buoys would be reserved for marinas and public agencies. TRPA and state agencies would implement a buoy compliance program. There are currently 4,881 buoys in the lake.

Permits: TRPA would first invite buoy owners with pending permits to validate their permits.

Piers: TRPA would permit a limited number of public and private piers on a "go-slow" basis with strong incentives for multiple properties joining together to share a pier. There had been five pier applications submitted after the last shoreline ordinance that haven't been built. All but one have withdrawn and that one is a multi-use pier. There are currently 771 piers around the lake (673 private, 42 public and 56 HOA).

Low lake level adaptation: Encourage access via marinas and other public boat ramps during periods of low lake levels. Attempt to accommodate access to the historic low lake level but not beyond. Marinas could expand capacity to accommodate more users, buoys could anchor further out and boat ramps could modify during these low lake levels.

Policies to protect and enhance the environment would have measures to ensure protection of Lake Tahoe's scenery, recreation and water quality. The plan outlines procedures for marinas, piers and dredging operations to comply to all standards while making environmental improvements.

For a look at the whole plan, visit shorelineplan.org.

Comments should be sent no later than 5:00 p.m. August 16, 2017 to Associate Planner Rebecca Cremeen, TRPA, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449 or rcremeen@trpa.org.

Public scoping meetings are also scheduled for the TRPA Governing Board meeting at 9:30 a.m. on July 26, 2017 at the North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, and for the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. on August 9, 2017, at the TRPA offices, 128 Market St., Stateline.