July/August 2020 Newsletter

Dear Friends:

We know the Meeks Bay Restoration Project is of great interest to many of you. The United States Forest Service (USFS) and others propose to remove the marina, restore the creek and lagoon, add a new public pier and boat ramp along the south end of the bay, and modify the campground and traffic circulation. When details of the proposal were released in 2018, there were many concerns about the project, including the removal and restoration of the boat marina and the proposed location for the new pier and boat ramp on the south beach, which is extremely popular among beach-goers and those enjoying non-motorized recreation (e.g. swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.).

Beginning this summer, the USFS and others will kick off a collaborative stakeholder process to provide a forum to solicit stakeholder feedback on the upcoming environmental review documents and overall project goals. Public workshops (webinars) will also be held. Additional details are listed under Latest Updates below.

FOWS has been invited to join the stakeholder group and looks forward to participating. We want to know your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions for the project so we can represent your interests on the forum. We will be sending you a survey before our next newsletter; please keep an eye out for it and make sure to respond quickly because this process will hit the ground running!

Please continue reading for more information on West Shore projects and activities. As always, we look forward to your continued feedback and support, and encourage you to contact us with any additional ideas or questions you may have.

Judith Tornese, President

Latest Updates

New Website Design for FOWS!

We are pleased and excited to announce the launch of our new website! It has a clean new look with user-friendly features and other improvements, thanks to the expertise and complimentary services of one of our Board members. We encourage you to check it out at www.friendswestshore.org, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions for additional improvements.

COVID-19 Community Information

Travel to the area to stay in second homes and for travel purposes is now allowed, so long as state requirements are met. At this time, both counties along the West Shore have been approved to open more businesses so long as they follow state guidance. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau just released this “Know-Before-You-Go” Informational guide.

More information is available at:

Update on FOWS Annual Community Pizza Party

FOWS has held an annual Community Pizza Party for the last several years at West Shore Pizza in Tahoma. We have enjoyed this opportunity to meet with you, swap stories about the West Shore, and simply share in good times! Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings, we will need to defer the party this year; however any donations would be greatly appreciated. Please send checks to our address at the bottom of this newsletter, donate via our website, or click the Donate button at the bottom of this newsletter.
 

Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project

As noted above, the project implementers are launching a collaborative public process to address issues, concerns, and alternative options to the proposed project. A project website will be launched in July and several public workshops (webinars) are planned beginning on July 15; upcoming meetings include:

  • 7/15: Stakeholder meeting/webinar (9am – 12pm)

  • 8/5: Stakeholder meeting/webinar (9am – 12pm)

  • 8/19: Public Workshop/webinar (5:30-7:30pm)

  • 9/9: Stakeholder meeting/webinar (9am – 12pm)

All meetings are open to the public. View full process details and dates here. We will post instructions for joining the webinars here once they are provided.

SR 89 Corridor Plan
 

The State Route (SR) 89 Corridor Plan, which will address options to improve traffic and pedestrian conditions in the future (especially at Emerald Bay), is under development. TRPA and partners anticipate release of the draft plan at their July 2020 Governing Board hearing followed by a 30-day public comment period. A stakeholder workshop and public webinar are planned during this period. Final adoption is slotted for September; however the schedule may change due to the impacts of COVID. To learn more about the SR 89 Recreation Corridor Management Plan and sign up for e-newsletters, visit www.trpa.org/SR-89.

Lake Tahoe West Forest Restoration Project

The proposed Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project, based on the comprehensive Lake Tahoe West Landscape Restoration Strategy, aims to restore forests, meadows, streams, and wildlife habitat across the West Shore. The Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the environmental document was released in April. FOWS and other organizations expressed concerns about some elements of the proposed project, including a proposal to allow new permanent road construction in Backcountry Management Areas located adjacent to the Granite Chief Wilderness Area in areas around Twin Peaks, Ward Peak, and Stanford Rock, and a proposed Basinwide amendment by TRPA to allow mechanical equipment on steeper slopes than is currently allowed (read FOWS comments). Work is underway on the environmental analysis for the project, with the draft environmental review anticipated in early 2021.

SR 89 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements

Placer County has developed a plan to improve pedestrian and cyclist crossings along SR 89 from Tahoma to Tahoe City. Construction was anticipated to begin in spring 2020, however was delayed due to a variety of factors. At this time, Placer County anticipates the final Caltrans permit soon and hopes to select a contractor and begin the project in late July.

Other Project Updates

  • Homewood Mountain Resort - According to the developer, they were hoping to start construction this summer on some initial improvements, but the virus situation has caused a delay. There will also be a slight reduction in the number of overall units that will eventually be constructed.

  • Fanny Bridge/SR 89 Realignment - Construction for 2020 includes curb, gutter, sidewalk, and bike path improvements and will all take place off the roadway and/or along shoulders. Construction of a new roundabout at the Wye and the replacement of Fanny Bridge may begin in 2022, depending on funding.

  • West Shore Water Treatment Plant - Final design of the project has been delayed pending strategic water system acquisitions in the West Lake Tahoe region. TRPA approved the project during the May 2020 Governing Board meeting. Pending final design and permitting, TCPUD is targeting 2021 for project construction. The new plant will be located at SR 89 and Lodge Street.

  • Tahoe Keys Aquatic Invasive Species Control Project - This project proposes testing of several methods, including the use of herbicides (currently prohibited in Lake Tahoe), to address the abundance of Aquatic Invasive Species in the Tahoe Keys lagoons that has also spread into Lake Tahoe. The draft environmental review was just released for public review on 7/6, with public webinars on 7/22, 8/11, and 8/12; comments will be due on 9/3. Learn more.

Regional Planning Updates

2019 Clarity Measurements Released

The Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) recently announced that the 2019 annual average clarity decreased by nearly eight feet compared to 2018 (from 70.9 feet to 62.7 feet).

According to TERC, there were a variety of factors that influenced the reduced clarity in 2019, including above average precipitation, lake mixing, higher than average loads of particles in runoff (which comes primarily from roads and built areas), algae cells, and warming surface temperatures affected by climate change.

TRPA Regional Transportation Plan

The Regional Transportation Plan is the transportation vision for the Tahoe Basin. The plan, updated every four years, focuses on transit, trails, technology, and communities to support the environment, economy, quality of life, and visitor experience. 

The plan outlines the projects and programs that will shape the next 20 years of Lake Tahoe's transportation system. The 2020 Regional Transportation Plan Update is proceeding and on schedule for adoption by the end of 2020. Learn more here.

Support Our Work

We depend on your generous donations to help us research, represent, support, and inform the West Shore. We gratefully accept check, credit card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo. Click the Donate button to make a contribution and also learn how you can designate FOWS to receive donations from AmazonSmile and eScrips.

FOWS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services have been provided. EIN#46-1356084

Get in Touch

We invite you to contact us to learn more, ask questions, or simply get to know the FOWS Board. 

Jennifer Quashnick, Conservation Consultant

Judith Tornese, President