Stateline, NV – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA’s) Stormwater Management Program announced the launch of a new Lake-Friendly Business Program designed to encourage Tahoe businesses to complete and maintain their Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Letters were sent to all businesses in the Tahoe Basin with recent BMP certificates inviting them to participate in the program.  Benefits include receiving a framed certificate and window sticker identifying them as a Lake-Friendly Business , as well as having their business listed in upcoming advertisements, editorials and stories  publically thanking them for installing and maintaining their water quality BMPs.

TRPA plans to educate the public on how Lake-Friendly Businesses play a vital role in improving the clarity of Lake Tahoe and list all qualified businesses on the tahoebmp.org website.  The agency will also spotlight select businesses to help explain the benefits of installing and maintaining BMPs in upcoming issues of Tahoe In Depth, a new environmental newspaper that gets distributed to all property owners in the Tahoe Basin.

“Our goal is to thank and recognize businesses that are protecting Lake Tahoe by installing and maintaining their water quality BMPs,” said Jeanne McNamara, TRPA’s Director of Implementation and the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP). “This is a new effort as part of the EIP to encourage commercial BMP compliance in a manner that is positive for both businesses and the Lake.”

Business owners are encouraged to create an inspection and maintenance protocol for installed BMPs to ensure they are eligible for participation in this program. Detailed BMP information, including guidance on creating a simple maintenance log, can be found at tahoebmp.org. In addition, TRPA will also be collaborating with a number of partners, including the League to Save Lake Tahoe and other organizations to encourage consumers to shop at Lake-Friendly Businesses beginning next spring.

Businesses that did not receive a letter but are qualified and would like to participate in the Lake-Friendly Business Program are encouraged to contact Courtney Walker, Communications Assistant of the Stormwater Management Program at (775) 589-5313 or via email at cwalker@trpa.gov.

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, call Kristi Boosman at (775) 589-5230 or email her at kboosman@trpa.gov.

Media Release – Lake-Friendly Business Program