FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What are BMPs?
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are actions, required by law, to keep soil and other pollutants out of streams and lakes. BMPs are designed to protect water quality and eliminate or control pollution. In the Tahoe Basin, BMPs are required on all developed properties, with the goal of reducing the amount of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus that flows into Lake Tahoe and causes a decline in water clarity and ecosystem health. Some common BMPs include vegetating or mulching all bare, disturbed soil, infiltrating storm water from all impervious surfaces, paving dirt driveways, stabilizing steep, eroding slopes and installing gravel under raised decks. Click here to learn more about BMPs on the TRPA website.
What is the deadline for installing BMPs?
All the watersheds in the Tahoe Basin were prioritized for BMP implementation depending on various factors, including soil type, slope, ratio of development to undisturbed land, and relative inputs of nutrients and sediment from the watershed. Using this data, watersheds were determined to be Priority 1, 2, or 3, with installation deadlines of October 15, 2000, 2006, and 2008 respectively. Click here for a map of Priority Watersheds in the Tahoe Basin.
Who requires the installation of BMPs?
The TRPA is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of the BMP Retrofit Ordinance. There are many agencies and private contractors in the Basin that can help you learn about and meet the BMP Ordinance, but the ultimate requirement comes from the TRPA.
What are the penalties if I don't get my BMPs completed by the deadline?
The goal of the BMP Retrofit Ordinance is to promote installation of BMPs, rather than collect fines for non-compliance. However, to encourage installation, fines may be assessed. Click here to read about TRPA's enforcement procedure.
Has my property already had a BMP evaluation or been issued a Certificate of Completion?
Your property may have a BMPevaluation on file, or may already have a Certificate of Completion. If the evaluation was performed by TRCD, you can call and have a copy mailed to you. Click here to search the TRPA information database and determine the BMP status of your property.
How much will my BMPs cost?
The cost of BMPs is specific to each individual property. Getting an evaluation from the TRCD is currently free of charge, but installing BMPs is not. The most economical option is to install your own BMPs and use as many recycled materials as possible. The TRCD tries to make simple BMP recommendations and provide installation guidelines, and our staff is available to meet with you to help ensure a successful installation. There are also a number of contractors in the Lake Tahoe area that specialize in BMP design and installation, but hiring a contractor is often a more expensive option. Click here to view the TRCD's Cost Estimate Checklist to give you a rough idea of the cost of BMPs on your property.
Do I have to install the BMPs exactly as they are recommended on my evaluation?
If you install the recommended BMPs on your evaluation, your property will come into compliance with the BMP Retrofit Ordinance. However, if you aren’t happy with a recommended treatment or would like a different design, you can contact the TRCD for alternate designs that will meet your landscaping goals while still bringing your property into compliance.
Why do I need to implement BMPs on my property when it appears that nobody else is?
The BMP Retrofit Ordinance is Basin-wide; therefore, all property owners within the Tahoe Basin must implement BMPs on their properties. This includes not only private property owners but commercial properties and the local jurisdictions (roadways) as well. BMPs to control erosion and infiltrate runoff from public roadways are being designed and implemented through an Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) throughout the Basin. The installation schedule of these projects depends on jurisdictional funding allotments. For information about EIP projects in your area, contact your local jurisdiction or the TRCD.
How do I get a Certificate of Completion after I've installed my BMPs?
Call TRCD to request a final inspection, and a staff memeber will visit your property to confirm that all required BMPs have been installed. If the property meets the requirements of the ordinance, the TRCD will request a BMP Certificate of Completion from the TRPA for your property. To be able to release your BMP information to the TRPA and request this certificate, you must sign a Release Authorization Form. Your Certificate of Completion will only remain valid if all of your BMPs are maintained and functional. Although there is currently a long waiting list for BMP site evaluations, there is NOT a waiting list for final inspections.
How do I install my BMPs while maintaining fire defensible space?
Installing BMPs often helps create a more fire safe landscape. Fire districts recommend maintaining a non-combustible area five feet out from the foundation on all sides of the house, and TRPA allows gravel in this zone without considering it coverage. This zone is the same area used to treat roof runoff from the house drip lines using drain rock or less-flammable, irrigated vegetation. Be aware that many types of vegetation are highly flammable, such as juniper bushes and Manzanita, and are not recommended right next to the house. While pine needles are an acceptable form of mulch for erosion control in areas with an overhead tree canopy, fire districts recommend that layer to be no more than two inches deep, and should not be within five feet of structures. This duff layer improves plant health by protecting soil from temperature extremes and water loss. For a complete discussion regarding fire defensible space in Lake Tahoe, pick up a copy of “Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner” at the TRCD office, or contact your local fire district. Visit the Living with Fire website to learn more about creating and maintaining defensible space.
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