infrastructure

There’s talk of expansion in South Lake Tahoe, but this town must be mindful of its beloved nature. However, it has the capability of evolving into a prosperous city through tactful ways of expanding and changing. The awareness of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the city's plans for airport reconstruction, and the growing tourism industry in California show that expansion for South Lake Tahoe is beneficial, or at least manageable, for everyone.

Location

In a representative democracy, the system the United States supposedly has, the policy making is controlled by the representatives elected by the people. The idea behind representative democracy is that people will elect representatives that will serve their best interest. However, in the United States the funding for election campaigns is provided by large corporations, banks, and a handful of wealthy individuals that results in the election of representatives who serve the best interests of the large corporations, banks, and wealthy individuals.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) is currently in the process of preparing the 2016/2017 budget. We invite the community to participate in a Public Meeting and Presentation on the Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Plan at the District Offices on May 12, 2016, at 6 pm.

In 2014, the District sent a five-year Proposition 218 notice to all customers; this permitted the District to increase water rates up to a maximum of 6.5% and sewer rates up to a maximum of 6.0%.

Water

When people visit Tahoe for the first time, they marvel at the extraordinary natural landscape and fresh, clean air. At the same time, some are shocked at the dilapidated condition of the built environment: rundown buildings, crumbling infrastructure, and tired-looking development. The paradox is compelling. Despite TRPA’s mandate to harmonize the natural and human-made landscapes so that they blend together, outdated development that preceded environmental standards now serves as blight in our community.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, in its capacity as the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization, on Wednesday adopted an active transportation plan that will help communities continue to improve transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians in the Tahoe Basin.

Transportation projects that improve infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians also help improve air and water quality, revitalize the economy, improve public health, and enhance recreation opportunities.

On Thursday, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded more than $7 million for seven watershed restoration and forest health projects around the lake. Thirteen different applicants submitted 32 grant requests totaling $30 million, but with just $13,950,000 to give out, it was a very competitive process.

The money comes from Proposition 1, the $7.545 billion water bond approved overwhelmingly by California voters in November 2014. It was divided around the state to agencies like the Conservancy for water supply infrastructure projects.

Rarely do I use this space to comment upon political issues within our community. That said, with the “politicization” of the US Hwy 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project I felt the need to share some background and perspectives for consideration.

The South Shore of Lake Tahoe is divided by lines. These state, county, and city lines work well on a map, but they do not define the day-to-day reality of the people who live and work in this community. In the last decade we have seen definitive projects reshape South Shore – Heavenly Village, Lakeview Commons, Harrison Avenue Streetscape. We have seen new bike trails and the opening of a bi-state park.

The Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation’s Speaker Spotlight Series continues on Wednesday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board/Aspen Room when renewable energy expert Dr. Eric Munsing presents, “Cars that Run on Sunshine: Making Electricity Greener.” This is a free event, and the entire community is welcome to attend.

The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Wednesday.

The legislation, created alongside senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Harry Reid, D-Nevada and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., provides federal, state, and local partners important tools to reduce wildfire threats, improve water clarity, jumpstart innovative infrastructure projects, and combat invasive species.

The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.

Now that the gift giving season is upon us, many people may have model airplanes, drones or quadcopters on their wish list. There are some new rules in place that all users of the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) need to know.

The Federal Aviation Administration today that all UAS units weighing between 0.55 pounds and 50 pounds must be registered by February 19th, 2016.

After Monday's and Tuesday's snowstorm in Lake Tahoe, two more large ski resorts have announced their opening date, well ahead of planned.

Squaw Valley an Alpine Meadows have been making snow, and combined with what Mother Nature brought, they are able to open. Alpine Meadows is opening for the season on Thursday, November 12 at 9:00 a.m., a month ahead of the planned December 11 scheduled date. They plan on operating Kangaroo Chair as well as limited dining options.

The final portion of the Class 1 bike trail network between Meyers and South Lake Tahoe was formally opened Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of the El Dorado County project team were on hand along with current Area 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel and former Supervisor Norma Santiago. Partner agency staff were also there to celebrate the completion.

Like many Americans, law enforcement folks have been deeply moved by the horrific images we have seen in Oregon. A certain feeling of helplessness has become the norm when we look at these events from the prevention perspective. We may ask questions like:

“Why do people who would do such a thing have access to a gun?”
“Why didn’t people who knew the shooter do something to stop him before people died?”

As part of an effort to begin a countywide strategic planning initiative to formulate a long term sustainable broadband strategy, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is planning a workshop to examine the state of broadband service in the County and its impacts on businesses and residents. The workshop will occur on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. in the County Board Chambers located at 330 Fair Lane in Placerville.

Our transportation systems are entering a period of accelerated change unlike anything we've seen since the invention of the internal combustion engine more than a century ago. We are in the early stages of a sweeping transformation in how we travel that is driven by the ongoing convergence of transportation and information technologies.

Douglas County Emergency Management is currently working on managing the current flooding in the Stephanie and Johnson Lane areas of Douglas County.

The State Damage Assessment Teams went out to the affected areas on Thursday to determine the amount of damage to public infrastructure as well as attempting to determine private property damage following state and FEMA damage assessment criteria. The County hopes to have this report completed as soon as possible.

We face some big, daunting environmental restoration challenges here at Lake Tahoe. But helping our environment every day can be as simple as riding a bike, walking, or taking transit. And the hundreds of people who participated in the Tahoe Bike Challenge this June, including many of our employees at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, are showing how big of an impact our individual actions can have.

Community members joined Rotarians on Saturday as they walked the streets of South Lake Tahoe to show support and raise awareness of Rotary International’s effort to eradicate polio in the world. Over 300 people joined in the 3k walk which proceeded along Highway 50 in Stateline, past Edgewood Tahoe, by Lakeside Beach and back to the beginning at the corner of Stateline Avenue and Highway 50 at McP's Taphouse.

If you've ever driven by South Tahoe Middle School just as the kids get to school, or as they depart, you know what an unsafe area it can be for students on bikes and on foot. Because of this, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District secured a $154,000 grant from the TRPA On Our Way program to work with the Lake Tahoe Sustainability Collaborative to conduct outreach and develop a connectivity and mobility plan for the area.

Dozens of community members came to the South Lake Tahoe Library Tuesday night to see what is being planned as an update to the Lake Tahoe Region Bike and Pedestrian Plan and give their opinions.

Those attending were asked to look at the plans displayed on boards lining the room, and give their comments on a variety of issues from safety to connectivity.

People were actively participating, telling the project planners, Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization (TMPA) and TRPA, what they felt was most important on infrastructure and goals.

Everyone in the community is invited to Walk to End Polio, a 3k event being held in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Join Rotarians, non-Rotarians, young and old, locals and visitors on a 3K walk to raise awareness, and funds, to end Polio.

If you were around in the middle of the 20th century, you may remember that tens of thousands of Americans were stricken by poliomyelitis, also known as Polio. This disease attacks the central nervous system and often leaves its victims partially or fully paralyzed.

Following the lowest snowpack ever recorded and with no end to the drought in sight, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced actions that will save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the state's drought response and invest in new technologies that will make California more drought resilient.