Open Houses to Discuss Future Protection of the Upper Truckee River

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Kirsten Lindquist
upper truckee

Hiker on the Upper Truckee (photo by Streamside Adventures)

Interested in the future of the Upper Truckee, or maybe even in getting involved in improving protections for its banks, wildlife and waters? One of our Basin partners, California Trout–in connection with the national network of Trout Unlimited–is hosting a series of open houses to discuss the possible designation of the Upper Truckee as a Wild and Scenic River.”Wild and Scenic” is a federally-recognized designation for rivers with outstanding recreational, cultural and ecological value, and ensures the free flow of water throughout the designated length of the river. Development is not prohibited on Wild and Scenic Rivers by the federal government, nor does it

A prize catch on the river (Photo by Aaron Keller)

give them control over private property. It does, however, limit damming and bring a brighter spotlight onto the great value of the river to both wildlife and human communities and economies. As the largest watershed feeding Lake Tahoe, a home to Lahontan cutthroat trout, and a well-loved local paddling hotspot, the Upper Truckee River certainly provides a variety of benefits worthy of protection.

To learn more about the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, California Trout and Trout Unlimited’s push for Wild and Scenic designation of the Upper Truckee, and its possible benefits for our Tahoe community, attend an open house on:

February 21st, from 4-7pm at the El Dorado County Public Library (1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA)

or

February 22nd, from 3-6pm at the Alpine County Library (270 Laramie St. Markleeville, CA)

For more information, contact Jenny Hatch at jhatch@caltrout.org, or check out the flyer on our calendar at http://www.tahoercd.org/index.php/connect/calendar

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2012 Annual Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Fees

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Jonelle Bright

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Governing Board approved a new fee structure for the Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Inspection Program in an attempt to make it more equitable and sustainable, according to Agency officials.

The TRPA Board voted to keep the same inspection fee for local “Tahoe Only” boats and to increase watercraft inspection fees for “Tahoe In & Out” vessels that come from other waterbodies or have never been inspected. Another change is the addition of a new decontamination charge for those boats not clean, drained, and dry when they arrive at the Lake.

2012 Tahoe Inspection Sticker Annual Fees

2012 Tahoe Inspection Sticker Annual Fees

Inspection fees for all other boats range from $35 for personal watercraft and vessels under 17 feet up to $121 for vessels over 39 feet. As in 2011, there is an additional fee for the decontamination of all boats with ballast systems, because of the inability to verify if there is water in these systems and the additional resources required.

“A significant portion of the costs of this program are the decontaminations of boats that either come from infected water bodies or are not clean, drained, and dry when they arrive for inspection,” explained Dennis Zabaglo, TRPA’s Watercraft Program Manager. “Previously, decontaminations were paid for as part of the annual inspection fee. We are adding a $25 decontamination fee so that those who require this service pay for it,” he said.

According to Ted Thayer, TRPA’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, “The federal sources of funding for the watercraft inspection program that we have relied upon for the last several years are in decline,” he explained during the Governing Board presentation. “We want to act now to ensure that this critical program to protect Lake Tahoe from Aquatic Invasive Species is sustainable.”

The new fee structure, approved for the upcoming boating season, would allow the Watercraft Inspection Program to achieve a higher cost recovery, as well as stretch current federal funding through 2013 as new sources of funding are sought out. Fees from the 2011 boating season covered only 29 percent of the cost of this program. The new fee schedule will cover 47 percent of the program for the 20

12 season with the remainder coming from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is also intended to bemore equitable by rewarding those boaters who arrive at inspection stations with their boats already clean, drained and dry.

“We want to encourage boaters to arrive at inspection stations with their boats cleaned, drained, and dried. This will save them both time and money,” Zabaglo explained. More information on the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program can be found online at www.TahoeBoatInspections.com

Remember…We’re All In This Boat Together! ~JB

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Winter Drought and Irrigation

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Nicole Cartwright

Yes, you can water your dormant landscape plants to help them spring back next growing season with more vigor and less annual die-back.

Watering the Angora Community Demonstration Garden, January 12, 2012

Watering the Angora Community Demonstration Garden on January 12, 2012

Prolonged exposure to dry conditions without the protective benefits of snowpack damages plant roots and starves our soil microbes, the little guys who are responsible for nourishing our plants. When daytime highs are above 40, water early in the afternoon to allow the water to soak into the soil before afternoon temperatures dip.

Without significant fall and winter precipitation, this should be done one to two times a month. Watch for runoff and don’t resume irrigation until the soil receives the water like a sponge. Avoid creating a layer of ice over the plants you irrigate. Irrigation should be no more than the soil will absorb. Evergreens, and shallow rooted deciduous shrubs and trees such as maple dogwood and willow, new plantings and ground covers, including turf, are particularly susceptible to damage from winter desiccation.  Don’t forget to apply a heavy layer of mulch to reduce damage from drying wind, sun and freeze-thaw. Read these informative articles for more information:

Happy New Year Watering

Fall and Winter Watering

Feel free to contact Tahoe RCD (530) 543-1501 x113 with specific questions or to request a vegetation consultation for your property next spring.

Good to Grow,

Jennifer Cressy

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Water Quality: TRPA and Improvements to Lake Clarity

Posted on December 7, 2011 by kgorman
Forum Participant Question: TRPA has been punishing residents with capricious fees for over 30 years and Lake Tahoe’s water quality has now gone down. When will we see results from this agency?

Conservation Clearly ImageResponse from TRPA: November 12, 2011- Regarding water quality gains: Recent science shows that the declining trend in Lake Tahoe’s water quality has slowed over the last decade. The change in the trend coincides with restoration projects that were ramped up in the late 1990s.  TRPA is encouraged by these trends and feels that the investments being made in Lake Tahoe’s restoration are paying off.

Most of the large-scale restoration projects are funded by federal and state grants, but they are not enough to offset all of the impacts that our homes and neighborhoods have on Lake Tahoe. Local jurisdictions have water and air quality improvement projects they need to build as well, and funding is always difficult.  Property owners pay air and water quality mitigation fees with permit applications and 100 percent of these mitigation fees are passed through to the local jurisdiction in which they were collected to help build erosion control, stormwater management, and transportation improvement projects such as sidewalks and bike trails.

The TRPA recognized in the mid-1990s that regulating the built environment alone was not enough to reverse the loss in Lake Tahoe’s clarity.   In order to restore Lake Tahoe, we need to actively repair past damage.  On public lands, we have the Environmental Improvement Program fixing the roadway network, going after invasive species and restoring streams and forests.  But in our town centers, there has been a lack of investment and TRPA is updating the Regional Plan to encourage environmental redevelopment of commercial and tourist areas.  We can restore Lake Tahoe while building sustainable communities.

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Water Quality: Car in Trout Creek for over 30 years?!

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Courtney Walker

Cold & Trout Creek Forum Question from a long-time Montgomery Estates Resident:
There has been a car in Trout Creek for over 30 years. Can someone please help me get it out?!

This old car has been in Trout Creek for 30+ years, according to a Montgomery Estates homeowner.
This old car has been in Trout Creek for 30+ years, according to a Montgomery Estates homeowner.

Follow up Action: October 11, 2011- The Tahoe RCD has been in contact with the Clean Tahoe Program and the Forest Service to attempt to remove the car. We have a meeting scheduled for October 21st to talk about logistics of removal. Depending on the outcome, either Clean Tahoe will remove with large equipment or we will collaboratively arrange a community work day to haul out with hand tools.

The Tahoe RCD will be updating this post as things progress….

UPDATE: November 21, 2011 - Crews from the CCCs, Clean Tahoe Program staff, Tahoe RCD staff and a concerned homeowner held a work day to try to remove parts of the car from Trout Creek.

Although some progress was made, it has been determined that more extensive tools will be needed in order to cut through the metal and remove the frame, steering wheel and dashboard from the creek.

Crews work to try to remove pieces of a car that was driven into Trout Creek over 30 years ago.

The goal is to improve the appearance of the creek and leave the components of the car that are buried in the creek.

We plan to revisit this issue next field season and pursue assistance from a local fire district for removal of the visible parts.  Stay tuned!  If you have any suggestions, please contact us, 530-543-1501 ext 113.

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Aquatic Invasive Species Public Forum – Nov. 16th @ Kings Beach Conference Center

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jonelle Bright

Join us this Wednesday for a free public forum to learn about efforts to protect Lake Tahoe and Truckee water bodies from aquatic invasive species from 5:30-7:30pm at the North Tahoe Events Center, located at 8318 North Lake Boulevard in Kings Beach, CA. Brief presentations will feature aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention, control and monitoring projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee area. The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about the Lake Tahoe and Truckee watercraft inspection programs, aquatic invasive plant and Asian clam control efforts, the Tahoe Keepers self-inspection program for paddlers, as well as national and regional AIS prevention and control efforts. The evening will begin at 5:00 pm with a 30-minute networking session overlooking Lake Tahoe and will conclude with a question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served.

In addition to summarizing activities and accomplishments in 2011, presenters will highlight future plans and opportunities for invasive species control and prevention efforts for Lake Tahoe and Truckee area water bodies. Lake Tahoe and Truckee area residents and boaters are urged to attend and submit feedback regarding the future of the Truckee Boat Inspection Program, which is currently a voluntary program operated by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, but may become a mandatory inspection program in the near future.

Portions of the AIS Fall Forum will be videotaped and available online after the event. Visit TahoeBoatInspections.com or follow @TahoeBoating on Twitter for updates and details.

We look forward to seeing you there! ~JB

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Wonders of Water Week in Lake Tahoe Schools

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Courtney Walker

Kids get outside to learn hands on about nature.

Wonders of Water (WOW) Week is Back!!

For the 3rd year in a row, WOW Week brings fun and interactive activities to elementary students from the Project WET curriculum, all of which are tied to state content standards. Reaching thousands of students and hundreds of classes, WOW Week would not be possible without volunteer support each year.

Starting yesterday and continuing for approximately a three week period, WOW Week volunteer educators will be in K-7 classrooms in South Tahoe schools teaching students about water conservation and water quality, BMPs, aquatic invasive species, and more. The South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) implemented the first WOW Week in 2009, and this year WOW Week is expanding to North Tahoe schools with the help of the Sierra Watershed Education Partnership (SWEP)!

Click here to listen to Sarah and Courtney talk about WOW week on 96.1 FM K-Tahoe Radio!  Courtney’s weekly radio show, Tahoe Perspective, airs every Tuesday at 5:15pm.  Enjoy!

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Fire and Fuels Reduction: Cold Creek Forum Participant

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Courtney Walker
Forum Participant Question: Fuels Treatment:
Will they be extending the Lake Christopher project to Pioneer Trail by Trout Creek?
Response from Nevada Fire Safe Council: September 19, 2011
This is part of the South Shore plan.  To see the US Forest Service South Shore plan and the areas to be treated, follow this link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5332487.pdf

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Fire and Fuels Reduction: Cold Creek Forum Participant

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Courtney Walker
Cold and Trout Creek Forum Question:
Lake Christopher – why 10-20 dead trees left by my house post treatment?
Response from Nevada Fire Safe Council: September 19, 2011:
After checking with the forester and homeowner, it is likely that the area still had standing water in and around it.  With the permits in place for the project, crews were not permitted to be in or drop trees into standing water.  Thus, the patch of trees was not able to be treated at the time the project occurred.

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Recreation: Cold Creek Bridge Improvements

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Pete Brumis

Cold & Trout Creek Forum Question:
What are the plans for fixing the “little bridge” along Cold Creek?

Response:
Although we’re not quite sure which bridge is the “little bridge” along Cold Creek, Tahoe RCD contacted the US Forest Service Tahoe Basin Management Unit to get an update of planned improvements for bridges in the area.

Overall summary:
Within the last decade, the US Forest Service (USFS) adopted the Power Line trail for management and reconstructed the “Beaver Bridge” over Cold Creek. Within the last several years, the USFS has “adopted” and developed trails within the Cold Creek area following the purchase of a large tract of private land that included High Meadows. These trails included portions of the Cold Creek Trail. On public federal lands, land managers have a responsibility to ensure managed facilities (such as bridges and trails) meet established standards for public safety and resource protection. As is the case with new bridge construction along managed Forest Service trails, “Beaver Bridge” over Cold Creek on Power Line Trail was constructed according the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (ASSHTO) standards and was built to withstand a 100 year flood.

USFS sign at the intersection Cold Creek & Powerline Trails

USFS sign at the intersection Cold Creek & Powerline Trails, site of "Beaver Bridge"

Comments regarding new bridge construction on USFS-managed land:
• Any future bridges, including the potential restoration of user-created bridges, would also need to conform to ASSHTO standards and be designed to withstand a 100 year flood. This means a seemingly simple replacement to a user-created bridge on a user created trail would need to be adopted for management and a bridge would need to have a span adequate to pass a 100 year flood event, designed to support snow loads and designed to safely pass trail users ranging from equestrians to snowmobiles. Any new bridges are technically classified as “public facilities” and therefore become more complex than simply getting users across a creek with a simple structure.

• In forested areas, the Forest Service carefully considers the introduction man-made structures, including bridges, to preserve a more natural environment and effectively obligate tax payer funding.
• The USFS is currently assessing the access needs for multiple uses in a few areas near Cold Creek, including under the power lines in the High Meadows area and the bridge on Power Line Trail over Heavenly Valley Creek.
• More natural “rock crossings” are also being considered along Cold Creek where the Cold Creek Trail closely parallels High Meadows Rd (known by many locals as the “Crazy Bat Crossing”) and also at Cold Creek in the High Meadows area.

Recent and Ongoing Bridge Projects
• Grass Lake Creek Bridge –Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2011
• Big Meadow Trail Bridge – Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2011
• Cold Creek Trail Bridge (tributary) – Completed 2010
• Ward Creek Trail Bridge – Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2006
• Armstrong Pass Trail Bridge – Completed 2004
• Beaver Trail Bridge – Power Line Trail – Completed 2004

Thanks to USFS for the information and for additional information regarding potential bridge and trail projects please contact Garrett Villanueva at 530-543-2762.

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