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March/April 2021 Newsletter
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Dear Friends: There has been a lot of discussion regarding motorized and non-motorized recreation, whether on the lake or land. Two current projects that reflect such conversations include the Meeks Bay Restoration Project and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposal to allow electric bikes (“e-bikes”) on forest trails where they are not currently allowed. |
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As discussed in greater detail below, public outreach and engagement for the Meeks Bay Restoration Project has been underway for over two years and a majority of the feedback to date supports a desire to retain the current non-motorized atmosphere of the Bay, however as explained below there is a need for the public to continue to speak up.
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On land, the USFS is currently initiating a process to evaluate whether to allow e-bikes on certain trails around the Basin where they are not currently allowed. There is no doubt there will be a variety of views on this proposal and we encourage you to read more below and get involved! |
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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.
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Judith Tornese, President
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Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project
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At the 1/7 public workshop, the lead agencies presented information regarding the project alternatives that will be analyzed in the environmental document. In sum: Full restoration of lagoon with a boating pier Full restoration of lagoon with a pedestrian-only pier Full restoration of lagoon with no pier No Action Alternative
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During the meeting, several informal polls were taken of participants. Once again, a majority of the responses favored a project that prioritized non-motorized recreation. The entire webinar can be viewed here. A meeting summary is available here. |
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The alternatives were also presented to the TRPA Regional Plan Implementation Committee (RPIC) during their 1/27 hearing. An audio recording of the meeting is available. It was an informational-only item and no action was taken. However, based on initial comments by several RPIC members, there appears to be a disconnect between the public’s overwhelming interest in supporting a primarily non-motorized bay and the views of our representatives on the RPIC, many whom were eager to express support for the alternative that included a large pier to support motorized boating. It is therefore extremely important for the public to reach out to elected officials directly to let them know your views on the project. Click here to email comments to the TRPA. The environmental analysis is expected to be completed and circulated for public comment this fall.
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USFS Electric Bike Proposal
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The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) recently released a scoping notice for the proposed action for the Basin Wide Trails Analysis project. According to the notice, “The purpose of this project is to update our trail and road system map to better meet the current need for e-bike access on National Forest lands, while protecting and maintaining highly valued scenery and natural resources. We propose altering our trail system map to allow Class 1 e-bikes on specific trails and clarifying trails where motorized access is permitted…” |
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Regional Tahoe Trails Plan
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The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, along with partners from the USDA Forest Service, California and Nevada State Parks, the Tahoe Fund, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the Tahoe Mountain Biking Association, and the Truckee Trails Foundation, recently announced that they have begun work on a regional Tahoe Trails Plan that will provide a guiding vision for the region’s natural surface trail system. This effort will provide a consistent plan for agencies and organizations in the Tahoe Truckee area to use regarding planning, building, maintenance, and management of trails, trailheads and trail wayfinding. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
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Other West Shore Projects
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There are no recent updates related to other previously-reported projects at this time.
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Regional Planning Updates
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TRPA Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Threshold Update
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The TRPA will bring the proposed changes to the VMT threshold to the Regional Plan Implementation Committee (RPIC) in March and the full Governing Board in April. The agency remains intent on eliminating the existing VMT standard that places a maximum capacity on daily VMT in the Basin, and replacing it with a per-person standard that includes no such cap. We believe a comprehensive analysis of existing conditions and the best available science should be conducted prior to deleting the capacity-based standard. VMT not only leads to water and air pollution, but allowing unlimited daily VMT growth can also be expected to result in more traffic and congestion that impedes emergency access and evacuation routes and places more people in harm’s way. The March RPIC meeting will take place on 3/24; agenda materials will be posted seven days prior to the hearing here. We encourage you to view the materials and submit written or verbal comments. The April Governing Board meeting will fall on 4/28.
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TRPA Regional Transportation Plan Update
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As reported in previous newsletters, we are concerned the proposed Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) update does not adequately address increased vehicle impacts, especially from visitor traffic and “day-only” drivers. In fact, the RTP update would allow a net increase in VMT, and this is why TRPA cannot adopt the RTP update unless the existing capacity-based standard is first deleted. The RTP update will also be presented to the RPIC on 3/24.
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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
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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
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