California Tahoe Conservancy: Progress Report

This report is an update of the California Tahoe Conservancy's progress in achieving its objectives, from the beginning of its operations in 1985.

Since the last progress report, issued in 1991, the Conservancy has continued to place a priority on preserving the exceptional clarity of the waters of Lake Tahoe, providing new or expanded public access and recreational opportunities to an increasing number of visitors, enhancing remaining wildlife habitat areas, and actively managing its lands for these purposes. During this period, the Conservancy's programs have been able to further meet resources needs through:

Expanded emphasis on restoring Lake Tahoe's watersheds - The majority of the Conservancy's expenditures are now directed toward restoring the landscape and wildlife habitat and providing facilities for visitors. Acquisition activities are still vital for providing options to owners of environmentally sensitive lands who are willing to sell, preserving significant resource lands, and providing rights-of-way for trails and soil erosion control projects. The combined effect of the Conservancy's programs has been to provide an important part of the foundation for the basin-wide efforts to sustain and enhance the resource values of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Planning to meet the needs of the environment, communities, and the public - As the Conservancy has increased its site improvement activities, it has commenced comprehensive and participatory planning processes for major site improvement projects. It has sought to design projects which combine sensitivity to environmental constraints and objectives; accessibility by the public; and the enhancements of surrounding communities. Upon request, the Conservancy is also using planning processes to resolve or mediate land use conflicts.
Collaborative and Partnership Efforts - The Conservancy has expanded its efforts to join in public and/or private partnerships or collaborative efforts to increase the public benefits and cost-effectiveness of its programs. It has provided grants to other public agencies, including more than 100 grants to local governments. It has participated in public/private efforts to redevelop or restore significant wetland areas and to reduce fuel hazards. It has joined efforts by nonprofit organizations to expand access to computerized data systems and to combine public and private resources to enhance public recreation in the basin. It has also been the beneficiary of a private/public effort to provide funding for the Conservancy through the new Lake Tahoe License Plate.
Support of innovative approaches and techniques - The Conservancy has also sought to support innovative approaches to restoration of streams, utilizing wetlands to treat storm runoff, better identification of wildlife and habitat inter-relationships, and the reintroduction of fire into the basin in a carefully controlled prescribed burning program, as part of its resources enhancement activities. It is also developing market mechanisms such as the transfer of development rights and a mitigation credit bank to achieve resource objectives and streamline the permit process.
Expanded management efforts - With available funds, the Conservancy has sought to expand the management of its lands through planning: regular inspections and clean up; restoration of degraded and eroding lands; improvement of forest health and reduction of fire threats; and sharing management responsibilities with other public and private entities.

Since 1985, the Tahoe Conservancy has authorized the expenditure of more than $150 million for acquisition and site improvement projects. This includes the acquisition of more than 5,450 parcels and the construction of more than 325 site improvement projects in support of its programs.

These efforts have been made possible by the cooperation and support of many public agencies, private organizations, the Governor, and the Legislature. The Conservancy gratefully acknowledges their contributions and support.

Even though substantial progress has been made, there is still a great deal more to be done. The challenge of fully restoring the basin and making it more accessible to the public still awaits all of us. We again affirm our commitment to do the best we can to preserve, enhance, and restore this precious resource.