In April 2018 Tahoe RCD purchased the Johnson Meadow property in South Lake Tahoe with funding provided by the California Tahoe Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Tahoe Fund. Tahoe RCD is working with partners and the public to restore Johnson Meadow. Throughout the restoration planning and implementation process we will engage the public and stakeholders to ensure we are accomplishing not only the best restoration possible but also improving and caring for treasured public open space.
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About Tahoe RCD: The mission of Tahoe RCD is to promote the conservation, stewardship and knowledge of the Lake Tahoe region’s natural resources by providing leadership and innovative environmental services to all stakeholders. Tahoe RCD plays a critical role in addressing some of the most high-priority natural resource concerns and opportunities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. From preventing and eradicating aquatic invasive species, to helping communities mitigate the risk of fire, Tahoe RCD brings extensive expertise and experience to conservation challenges. Tahoe RCD is a flexible and adaptable organization that serves as a link between public and private conservation interests.
Where is Johnson Meadow?
Johnson Meadow is situated in the heart of the city of South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California. It is located within the largest watershed in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Upper Truckee River (UTR) watershed, which drains over 56 square miles and provides some of the most significant wet meadow floodplain habitat in the entire Sierra Nevada. Tahoe RCD acquired title to the approximately 206 acre property in April 2018, completing continuous public ownership of the lower nine miles of the Upper Truckee River. This reach of the UTR is directly downstream of property owned by the City of South Lake Tahoe and California Department of Parks and Recreation (Washoe Meadows State Park) and upstream of the Upper Truckee Marsh, owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy. Johnson Meadow is within the floodplain of the UTR and prior to acquisition by Tahoe RCD, it was the largest privately-owned meadow in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Why did Tahoe RCD purchase Johnson Meadow?
Tahoe RCD purchased Johnson Meadow to provide ecosystem and watershed protection benefits through preservation, management, and future restoration of meadow, riparian, aquatic and upland habitats. Prior to acquisition, Johnson Meadow was used as a dairy during the Gold Rush (1850s) and was purchased in the 1920s by the Mosher family. The dairy operations ceased in the 1930s and the equipment was removed. From the 1930s to the early 2000s, the meadow was used as summer pasture for cattle. Acquisition of Johnson Meadow was a critical step in the larger restoration efforts in the UTR watershed. The river reaches encompassed by Johnson Meadow contain significant wildlife habitat including; river, riparian, meadow, and upland areas. Acquisition was made possible through funding from the California Tahoe Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Tahoe Fund.
What are Tahoe RCD's plans for Johnson Meadow?
Tahoe RCD is in the restoration planning phase for Johnson Meadow and the associated reaches of the UTR. Restoration will provide enhanced watershed protection benefits, habitat quality, climate change mitigation benefits, and increased recreational use and open space value. Throughout the process Tahoe RCD is committed to working with a variety of stakeholders and the public at large to ensure all options are considered. Restoration designs will accommodate compatible uses and provide sustainable access while maximizing habitat preservation and protection of sensitive biological resources.
A phased approach is being used to ensure that all state, local, and federal requirements are met and to provide community stakeholders, residents, and the public the ability to contribute to the process. Restoration will take time with each Phase lasting between 1-4 years to complete There will be opportunity for engagement at every step along the way.
Phase 1: Currently underway, begins the study and analysis process. During this phase Tahoe RCD and our partners will complete a preliminary study, conduct public outreach, and draft three restoration design alternatives and a “no-action” alternative for review. These designs will be complete to the 30% level and will inform future phases.
Phase 2: This phase will compile all the information gathered during Phase 1 in order to complete the environmental analysis documents legally required by NEPA, CEQA, and TRPA governing legislation Phase 2 will also see restoration designs advanced to a 50% completion level.
Phase 3: This phase will complete final design plans and include all required permitting and compliance.
Phase 4: Phase 4 will be final implementation and construction.
How do meadows in an urban setting help to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin's environment?
Lake Tahoe watersheds are the natural drainage systems that supply the Lake with water. The precipitation that falls in the form of rain or snow within the watersheds of the Lake Tahoe Basin flows overland and through the ground to creeks and streams which ultimately discharge to the Lake. Runoff conveyed by an undisturbed watershed is usually quite pure, because the watershed’s soil, plants, and organisms act as a natural purification system. In fact, in an undisturbed forest, more than ninety-five percent of rain and snowmelt percolates into the ground, where it is filtered on its way to the nearest stream.
Acquisition of undeveloped, environmentally sensitive land (meadows, creeks and streams, highly erosive soils, and steep topography) ensures that they are protected and helps to mitigate the negative impacts of future development on Lake Tahoe’s watersheds. In addition, these areas can slow the flow of water from adjoining impervious surfaces and provide opportunities for construction of critical erosion control structures.
How does the acquisition and protection of Johnson Meadow benefit my community and me?
In 1980, Congress found that increasing urbanization was threatening the ecological values of the Lake Tahoe Basin and opportunities for enjoyment of public lands. Additionally, maintenance of the social and economic health of the region depended on maintaining the scenic, recreational, educational, scientific, natural, and public health values provided by resources in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Acquisition and protection of undeveloped land contributes to maintaining these values, benefitting the communities in which they are located.
Undeveloped areas provide open space within urban settings, reducing and filtering the noise associated with everyday human activities, providing quieter, more enjoyable living conditions and recreational experiences. Additionally, these areas reduce the scenic and visual impacts of urbanization by providing riparian and forested areas that help screen and blend development into the natural surroundings. Neighborhoods with publicly owned land are more desirable to live in, and often have a corresponding positive impact on quality of life and property values.
What activities are allowed in Johnson Meadow?
Johnson Meadow is public land and sustainable access and public use are permitted and encouraged. Please observe all El Dorado County ordinances and practice Leave No Trace principals and always pack out anything you brought in with you. There are a few important things to remember when using Johnson Meadow.
There is absolutely no camping allowed in the meadow at any time.
Fires are not permitted at any time without exception. Please observe all local fire restrictions concerning smoking on public lands.
Motorized vehicles, including over snow vehicles, are not allowed at any time in the meadow without official permission from Tahoe RCD.
When boating, floating, or accessing the river you are recreating at your own risk. River environments are inherently dangerous and not maintained for recreational access. It is your responsibility to be aware of all hazards and obstructions and you assume all risk of loss of property and/or serious injury, including death.
Please stay on established trails as much as possible to reduce impacts to the meadow.
Always clean up after your pet and keep all pets on leash and under control at all times.
What is the dog leash policy on Johnson Meadow?
Johnson Meadow is within the jurisdiction of El Dorado County and is therefore subject to the County Animal Control Ordinance Sec. 6.12.070. No person owning or having control of any animal, livestock or poultry shall permit such animal, livestock or poultry to stray or run at large upon any public street or other public place, or any unenclosed private lot or other unenclosed private place in the County with the exception of livestock on open range as defined in Chapter 6.36.
If a loose dog is acting strange, is aggressive or has bitten someone, call El Dorado County Animal Services (530) 573-7925, or after hours, call the Sheriff’s Dispatch at (530) 621-6600.
When will the bridge crossing be replaced?
Tahoe RCD understands that the loss of the bridge crossing over the Upper Truckee River in Johnson Meadow has broken a crucial connection and made non-motorized travel difficult. We are working diligently with El Dorado County, the California Tahoe Conservancy, and other partners to find a sustainable solution as fast as we can. It is important that any replacement accomplishes multiple goals and is done right otherwise we risk further delays or futures washouts. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the bridge:
When was the connection to the bridge washed out? The bridge connection was washed out in the winter of 2017 during a high runoff event following a very high snow year. The flow of water was blocked when debris backed up against the bridge and caused the water to chart a new course and erode a path through the western bank of the river, severing the bridge’s connection to the eastern bank.
Why has the bridge not been replaced already? Prior to April 2018, the meadow and bridge crossing were under private ownership. The original bridge was built in the 1960s as ranch infrastructure, and subsequent upgrades over the years were never designed to accommodate public use. The land owner at the time allowed informal public access but never officially sanctioned public use of the bridge or the Johnson Meadow property. After acquisition by Tahoe RCD, temporary bridge replacement options were explored. However, the high cost and temporary nature of these options made any short-term replacement infeasible. In order to make sure any replacement does not wash out again and also meets all legal and community needs, Tahoe RCD and partners are engaging in a robust analysis process to determine the best location and bridge design for a crossing in this area. This is unfortunately a lengthy process. However, the time required will ensure that we get things right.
When will the bridge be replaced? While we can’t provide an exact date or timeline, we are working to install a replacement as soon as possible. The larger restoration project will affect bridge replacement and vice-versa but bridge replacement will likely happen much faster. Part of the process will be ensuring that any new bridge meets appropriate standards for both pedestrian and potential vehicle travel, safety and sustainability, and is in line with other local efforts such as the completion of the South Tahoe Greenway.
Our Priorities for Johnson Meadow
The board and staff of Tahoe RCD are committed to restoring, stewarding, and managing the iconic Johnson Meadow property in ways that:
Provide ecosystem and watershed protection benefits through preservation, management, and future restoration of meadow, riparian, aquatic, and upland habitats, connectivity to other public lands, and for compatible public uses that are consistent with wildlife habitat preservation and protection of sensitive biological resources.
Align with Tahoe RCD’s mission, goals, and restoration priorities.
Align with other plans that benefit the overall Upper Truckee watershed.
Provide appropriate opportunities for learning and connectivity for the surrounding community.
Encourage the community to take pride in and steward this special place.
