Apr 22, 2025
Truckee-Tahoe, CA/NV — Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) have launched a new regional housing survey as part of an updated assessment of housing needs in the greater Lake Tahoe Region This region encapsulates the Lake Tahoe Basin, plus the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District boundary, which includes parts of Eastern Placer and Nevada Counties, including the Town of Truckee.
Partners request survey responses from those who live and work in the region, including local residents, seasonal workers, in-commuters, and individuals experiencing homelessness. The data results will highlight regional demands for housing that may include units which are more affordable, of better quality, closer to work, or less crowded.
“The analysis also breaks down housing needs by factors such as location, unit size, and income level, giving a clearer picture of the specific needs within different areas of the region,” said Kristina Kind, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation Program Director. “By comparing these results to those from the 2016, 2021, and 2023 assessments, our organizations can better understand how housing needs have changed over time and which groups are most affected.”
Previous regional housing assessments have led to the establishment of the Mountain Housing Council, informed the development of white papers and policy recommendations on local and State levels, and informed the launch of fifteen regional housing programs. The survey only takes a few minutes and will be open through May 30, 2025. The survey is open now in both English and Spanish for anyone who lives and/or works in the region through the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/TahoeHousingNeeds2025
https://tinyurl.com/NececidadesDeViviendaTahoe
This is the first time the Regional Housing Needs Assessment will include all of Truckee, North Tahoe, and the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. TTCF will provide the analysis for the area within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District boundaries to inform the work of regional achievable housing collaborative partners. TRPA will update housing need information for all communities of the Lake Tahoe Region and help inform the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project.
Responses will remain anonymous and general results will be shared with housing partners and made available on TTCF’s website at ttcf.net and the TRPA website at trpa.gov/housing.
Contact
Ashley Beck, Director of Engagement & Communications
Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
Ashley@ttcf.net
o: (530) 587-1776 ext. 100
Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
JCowen@trpa.gov
o: (775) 589-5278
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Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brings together trusted partners to align strategies and inspire philanthropy to nurture a resilient community and environment. Since 1998, TTCF has served the people and places of this region. From 2017 – 2023, TTCF facilitated the Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee to help accelerate achievable housing solutions for all. For more information about TTCF visit www.ttcf.net.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information about TRPA, visit trpa.gov/housing.
Apr 16, 2025
Transportation Plan Update Renews the Regional Vision for a Connected Transportation System
May 7, 2025 Update: The public review and comment period has been extended to June 2, 10 a.m. PT.
Lake Tahoe, NV/CA – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has released Connections 2050, the draft update to the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. The plan outlines a vision for a comprehensive transportation system that will preserve Tahoe’s environment, reduce congestion, and improve safety over the next 25 years, the agency said today.
With renowned outdoor recreation opportunities, abundant public lands, and growing populations in neighboring regions, Lake Tahoe’s transportation system will continue to see metropolitan-level travel demands on peak days, according to plan documents. Connections 2050 provides a blueprint for creating a more efficient and interconnected transportation system that will enhance access to public transit, trails, transportation technology, and connections to town centers.
“Lake Tahoe faces unique challenges in updating the transportation network to protect the environment and safely connect people and communities without solely relying on private car travel,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “The region has come together with a shared vision to accelerate transportation improvements and propel the Lake Tahoe Region toward a safer, more sustainable future.”
Connections 2050 includes improvements that will address significant barriers faced by Tahoe’s diverse travelers and improve safety and access for all roadway users, according to TRPA. Regional partners recognize the critical need to address funding shortfalls to complete projects in the plan and are meeting new funding milestones for transit and operations and maintenance to make the 2050 vision a reality.
In addition to collaboration with local governments and transportation partners, TRPA engaged with more than 10,000 people over the last four years to develop the plan update. Connections 2050: Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy can be viewed at trpa.gov/rtp2050 and public comments will be accepted through June 2, 10 a.m. PT. The agency has also scheduled public meetings listed below.
Wednesday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m.
TRPA Governing Board Meeting, Transportation Committee
955 Fairway Boulevard, Incline Village, Nevada
Online participation available
Wednesday, May 7th at 3 p.m.
Tahoe Transportation Commission
128 Market Street, Stateline, Nevada
Online participation available
Wednesday, May 14th at 9:30 a.m.
TRPA Advisory Planning Commission
128 Market Street, Stateline, Nevada
Online participation available
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The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at (775) 589-5278, or jcowen@trpa.gov.
Apr 15, 2025
News Release
Contact: Lily Summerville
lsummerville@caclimateactioncorps.org
530-307-4177
Lake Tahoe, NV/CA – Organizations across the Lake Tahoe Region are helping the community celebrate the 55th annual Earth Day with events on South and North Shores and a week of fun activities to show everyone how to Take Care of Tahoe. The annual South Tahoe Earth Day festivities are returning to Lake Tahoe Community College on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring more than 20 educational booths, it is an opportunity for adults and kids alike to learn how to protect Lake Tahoe.
Admission and parking are free for attendees. Festival goers are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transport in the spirit of Earth Day. There will be a free bike valet run by Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition. All those that use alternative transport will receive a free raffle ticket.
“This event teaches visitors and residents how they can protect Lake Tahoe not just for Earth Day, but every day,” said Lily Summerville, California Climate Action Corps Fellow and Earth Day Committee Co-president. “We are excited about the incredible eco-booths, live music, drum circle, and the aerialist performance.”
The event includes:
• Raffle prizes donated by local businesses and nonprofits
• Climate friendly food and beverage trucks
• Live music by local band, The Imposters
• DJ set by Deon Pearson
• Aerialist performance by Liv Davi and her students
• Drum circle facilitated by Liz Broscoe
• 50 local non-profits and educational booths
Sponsors include Lake Tahoe Community College, South Tahoe Public Utility District, South Tahoe Refuse, Pay It Forward Project, Tahoe Fund, Barton Health, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, Liberty Utilities, Keep Tahoe Blue, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
The official Earth Day is April 22.
Saturday’s South Tahoe Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 19 will kick off Tahoe Earth Week 2025. Learn more at southtahoeearthday.org.
The North Shore Tahoe-Truckee Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 26 at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, Calif.
Celebrate #EarthWeekTahoe with us!
Complete one activity each day of the week, April 19th through 26th. Post your pictures and tag #earthweektahoe!
Media Releases
4.20.2025 News Release Send It Sustainably Sunday Earth Week 2025
4.21.2025 News Release Mother Nature Monday Earth Week 2025
4.22.2025 News Release Happy Earth Day Earth Week 2025
4.23.2025 News Release Wildlife Wednesday Earth Week 2025
4.24.2025 News Release Tahoe Tap Thursday Earth Week 2025
4.25.2025 News Release Healthy Forest Friday Earth Week 2025
The Tahoe Earth Day Foundation, a non-profit organization, formed to educate the general public regarding the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region’s unique beauty and how to preserve and protect it. The means of providing such education include, but are not limited to, regional Earth Day festivals that include environmental and educational booths with focus areas on watershed health, forest health, water conservation, pollution prevention, alternative energy and waste management.
Mar 27, 2025
Golden mussels could be a greater threat than any other aquatic invader
Invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) found October, 2024 in the O’Neill Forebay in Merced County, Calif. Credit: Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board on Wednesday approved a critical update to the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program to protect the lake from a new aquatic invasive species recently discovered just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin. Invasive golden mussels were discovered for the first time in North America last October in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. TRPA and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), which manage the boat inspection program, strengthened inspection procedures to reduce the risk to Lake Tahoe.
On Wednesday, the agencies enacted mandatory decontaminations for all visiting motorized watercraft entering Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Governing Board approved an updated fee structure to support the additional services.
As new threats to Lake Tahoe emerge, the emphasis on following Clean, Drain, Dry protocols remains for all boaters, paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers. Golden mussels are not in Lake Tahoe, and following Clean, Drain, Dry protocols will reduce the risk of invasion.
The main change for motorized boaters traveling from other areas will be a watercraft decontamination following the mandatory inspection. As always, boats that were launched last in Lake Tahoe and have a Tahoe security seal can launch again without reinspection.
2025 Boating Season Protocols
- Decontamination: All “Tahoe In & Out” motorized watercraft will be decontaminated following inspection.
- Clean, Drain, Dry: Arrive Clean, Drained, and Dry to minimize fees and protect your watercraft.
- Appointments: Make an appointment at TahoeBoatInspections.com/appt to get on the water faster.
- Non-motorized watercraft: Visit TahoeKeepers.org to learn how to Clean, Drain, and Dry your kayak, paddleboard, and inflatables. Decontaminations are free for hand-launched non-motorized watercraft.
- Fees: Inspection fees remain the same. Use this guide to predict the total decontamination fee for your watercraft.
Water intake systems:
- 1-2 water intake systems: $30
- 3+ water intake systems OR ballasts: $60
Affected areas not Clean, Drained, and Dry:
- 1 area not Clean, Drain, Dry: $0
- 2-3 areas not Clean, Drain, Dry: $30
- 4+ areas not Clean, Drain, Dry: $60
An outline of waterbodies hydrologically connected to the San Joaquin Delta. Golden mussels have the potential to infest a large portion of California’s waters. Credit: Tahoe Resource Conservation District
Golden mussels can attach to surfaces, damage boats and clog infrastructure. Credit: Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources
“Boaters and paddlers have a key role in protecting the waters they enjoy,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for TRPA. “Golden mussels are a greater threat to Tahoe than other aquatic invasive species. We appreciate the support of boaters and will continue working to keep the lake safe and accessible to all.”
Since its discovery in Stockton, Calif., the golden mussel has been detected almost as far south as Bakersfield through connected water systems. To keep the risk to Lake Tahoe as low as possible, all motorized watercraft from other waterbodies will be decontaminated, which will increase the cost to operate the program.
Governing Board Updates Fee Structure
The Watercraft Inspection Program is a public-private partnership with one third of its funding from inspection fees and two thirds from public sources. The TRPA Governing Board approved a minimum decontamination fee of $30 for all visiting motorized watercraft needing an inspection to address the cost of increased decontaminations.
“These strengthened procedures are necessary to preserve Tahoe’s waters,” said Hayley Williamson, Chair of the TRPA Governing Board. “The introduction of golden mussels would be devastating to the lake, and the Watercraft Inspection Program is our frontline defense.”
By adhering to Clean, Drain, Dry protocols, boaters can limit additional increases to their decontamination fee.
About Golden Mussels
The golden mussel is likened to quagga mussels, an invasive species that the Lake Tahoe inspection program has successfully kept out of Lake Tahoe since beginning in 2008. Like quagga mussels, golden mussels can encrust boats, piers, rocks, and pipes.
Golden mussels can also tolerate a broader range of habitats and can reproduce faster, making them more of a threat. If introduced, golden mussels could irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe’s recreation, water quality, and native ecosystem.
Areas outside the Tahoe Region have responded to the threat with temporary waterbody closures and 30-day quarantine periods. Invasive species prevention programs throughout the western United States are rapidly assessing protocols to limit the spread outside of California.
To view the updated fee structure, visit TahoeBoatInspections.com/stickers-and-fees.
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The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead the program in collaboration with the public and private partners. The program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the Region so that future generations can enjoy Lake Tahoe. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, TRPA Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.
Mar 13, 2025
Image: Members of Team Tahoe on the steps of The Capitol, Washington D.C. See names below.
March 13, 2025
Lake Tahoe partners met with Congressional leaders this week in Washington D.C. to discuss priorities for the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP. The late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein dubbed EIP partners Team Tahoe, a name that continues to represent the environmental groups, government agencies, business community representatives, and key implementers working to protect and restore Lake Tahoe.
Pictured from left to right:
Top row
Tahoe Chamber
Steve Teshara, Director, Government Relations
Middle row
Tahoe Transportation District
Jim Marino, Acting District Manager
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Devin Middlebrook, Government Affairs Manager
League to Save Lake Tahoe
Noa Banayan, Government Affairs Manager
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
Serrell Smokey, Chairman
Front row
Heavenly Mountain Resort/Vail Resorts
Shaydar Edelmann, Vice President and General Manager, Tahoe Fund Board Member
League to Save Lake Tahoe
Dr. Darcie Collins, Chief Executive Officer
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tony Karwowski, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Julie Regan, Executive Director
Travel North Tahoe Nevada
Andy Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tahoe Transportation District Board Chair
Feb 26, 2025
Image: The California Tahoe Conservancy restored the Upper Truckee River Marsh in 2023. Partners in the Lake Tahoe Region have restored more than 1,100 acres of critical marsh, meadow, and wetland habitat, surpassing a landmark goal adopted in 1982.
Image credit: California Tahoe Conservancy
Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – More than 90 percent of measurable standards of Lake Tahoe’s environmental health are stable or improving, according to a draft report the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) presented to the agency’s Governing Board today. The peer-reviewed 2023 Draft Threshold Evaluation identifies several areas, including aquatic invasive species, regional wildfires, and seasonal lake clarity trends that need more attention, better monitoring, or more research. The four-year report compiles scientific data on 140 indicators of environmental quality in the Tahoe Basin and measures the progress of science-based policies and restoration programs under the bi-state Tahoe Regional Plan.
A national scenic byway stretches along the East Shore of Lake Tahoe, Nev. Transportation and parking improvements are planned for the roadway corridor that can see thousands of visitors a day. Credit: Drone Promotions
“It’s incredible to see the hard work of public agencies and property owners making steady progress and historic achievements in restoring Lake Tahoe and enhancing our communities,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Science-based policies and regional partnerships are essential to restoration on this scale. Many challenges are ahead, but the Regional Plan remains the blueprint for continued progress in the Tahoe Basin.”
The agency adopted measurable threshold standards in the 1980s that today encompass ten environmental categories, from water quality to wildlife, transportation, and scenic quality. The independent Tahoe Science Advisory Council conducted a peer review of the evaluation and provided input that will help future evaluations.
In addition to TRPA’s growth management system and limits on development, findings in the report show significant progress is coming from the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP, which is considered one of the most successful conservation programs in the nation.
A key example during the reporting period is the historic achievement of a wetland restoration target set more than 40 years ago. Today, EIP partners and private property owners have restored more than 1,100 acres of previously disturbed marshes, meadows, and wetlands that are critical to lake clarity and biodiversity. As partners began approaching the target, TRPA strengthened its goals with a new threshold standard that looks beyond acreage and focuses on improving the overall condition and quality of restoration projects.
Several overarching issues emerged during the 2020-2023 reporting period, according to the report:
- Wildfires in and outside the basin are impacting single-day and short-term air quality standards.
- Questions for scientists remain around restoring the lake’s famed clarity; winter clarity measurements continue to improve while clarity in summer declines.
- The New Zealand mudsnail discovery in 2023 and newly adopted targets for aquatic invasive plants require continued work.
- Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and VMT per capita have decreased, while shifting recreation patterns strained popular roadway corridors.
A pier on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore sits high and dry during a drought year. Extreme weather events, hotter temperatures and prolonged droughts are impacting Tahoe’s forests and water quality. Credit: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
The 2023 Threshold Evaluation is the eighth four-year evaluation conducted since TRPA adopted measurable targets in the 1980s. The Tahoe Science Advisory Council coordinates a peer review process to ensure that appropriate methods and the best available science are applied in the threshold evaluation.
“The Council is committed to maintaining a strong bridge between science and management, and the Threshold Evaluation peer review effort is a great example of how independent science advice can continue to support TRPA’s important work,” Tahoe Science Advisory Council Program Officer Bob Larsen said.
TRPA will be collecting public and partner input on the draft evaluation over the next few months. The agency will present a final report to the TRPA Governing Board in June that will include recommended actions in response to the findings, changing conditions, public and stakeholder input, and advancements in science. The threshold evaluation summary, detailed findings, and feedback survey are available at thresholds.laketahoeinfo.org/ThresholdEvaluation/Index/2023.
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The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at (775) 589-5278, or jcowen@trpa.gov.
