FOWS revamps social media presence

With the assistance from some pros and the diligent efforts of FOWS Board members, FOWS has “re-activated” our social media presence. Check out our ‘new’ Facebook and Instagram pages and help spread the word!

TRPA Housing Amendments

TRPA has identified three alternatives to be analyzed by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Phase 3 Amendments:

1. No Project - No changes are made to the existing TRPA code;

2. Housing Forward Alternative - TRPA code is amended to focus on constructing new workforce housing with limited strategies for utilization of existing housing. This option would include increases in allowable density and coverage, including unlimited density for non-deed-restricted multi-family residences, re-zoning all or selected single family residential areas to multi-family and encouraging up to four-plex units in areas currently zoned for single family residential only, allowing more height within both Town Centers and residential neighborhoods, and other “incentives”;

3. Housing Preservation Alternative - This alternative focuses on utilizing existing housing stock to provide workforce housing.

Staff presented an overview of the alternatives at their July Board meeting. The agency has thus far shown a preference toward the second option. FOWS and others remain concerned that increasing the density and population in areas like Tahoma, Homewood, and Sunnyside without first addressing existing problems, such as traffic congestion and the limits of having only one two-lane road for emergency access and evacuation, will exacerbate existing threats to public safety (read FOWS comments on the scoping document here). Other concerns include impacts to community character and the environment, and whether the proposed amendments would actually provide for the types of housing that is needed (i.e. read this recent Opinion Letter from Mountain Area Preservation discussing some of these concerns).

TRPA posted the Scoping Summary Report of public comments on the NOP. The project timeline and other information can be viewed here. The Draft EIS is scheduled for release this fall. FOWS will continue to monitor and report on the proposed amendments.

Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan

Lawsuits filed by FOWS and others due to a lack of adequate environmental analysis (including impacts to emergency access/evacuation) for Placer County’s Phase 1 and 2 housing amendments are proceeding through the courts at this time. More information regarding the lawsuits can be viewed in previous FOWS Newsletters. There are no new updates.

Placer County General Plan Update

Placer County has started the process to update the County’s General Plan. A comprehensive evaluation and update hasn’t been completed since 1994 and conditions and priorities have changed. Learn more here. FOWS submitted scoping comments on the environmental impact report being prepared by the county (estimated for release in 2028).

El Dorado County Area Plan

FOWS recently submitted comments on the Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Report for the proposed “Tahoe El Dorado” (TED) Area Plan. An environmental impact report is currently in preparation with a draft anticipated to be circulated for public review in early 2027. Recent presentations and recordings from the NOP workshops can be accessed here.

Homewood Mountain Resort (HMR)

HMR has applied for a modification to the Homewood Resort Master Plan Conditional Use Permit — Placer County PLN26-00212 — to allow building fire department approvals to be done by Placer County Fire, an entity that has no jurisdiction within the Basin and would not be responsible for providing emergency services to Homewood. As part of the HMR approval and subsequent Settlement Agreements, HMR committed to fulfill certain obligations toward the North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) to mitigate public safety threats, and the NTFPD will not approve HMR’s construction to move forward unless these requirements are fulfilled. Arbitration between the two parties is continuing. NTPFD’s Division Chief sent this letter to Placer County, requesting the application be denied. Public comments can be emailed to SWydra@placer.ca.gov and BoardClerk@placer.ca.gov (Clerk for Placer County Supervisors).

County staff are currently reviewing the application. Once deemed complete, the proposal will be reviewed by the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Committee (NTRAC) and Placer County Planning Commission (where the final decision will be made). We will keep you updated on this application.

Tahoe Keys Marina - Proposed Redevelopment Project

As noted in our last newsletter, the Tahoe Keys Marina (TKM) is proposing a significant redevelopment project without adequate environmental review. Unfortunately both the City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission and the TRPA Governing Board approved the project.

Meeks Creek Restoration Project:

Other updates

• Boatworks Mall: After foreclosure proceedings began in January, the Boatworks Mall is now scheduled for a public auction on August 12.

• Emerald Bay Shuttle Program: A new shuttle program started this year providing shuttle options to Emerald Bay from Sugar Pine State Park, the South Lake Tahoe Y Transit Center, and Camp Richardson. Reservations and fares can be purchased here.

• California lawmakers want to fund a proposal to evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing Grizzly Bears back into California:

  Senate Bill 1305 would establish the California Grizzly Recovery Assessment Act, which requires, upon appropriation, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop a roadmap to evaluate under what conditions the reintroduction of the grizzly bear in the state is feasible and advisable. FOWS and others are concerned that with the extent of existing and future development and high recreational use in the Sierra Nevada, plus the inability of the state resources to manage existing human conflicts with generally non-threatening black bears, such a reintroduction of an apex predator is not feasible or advisable. State resources could be used for other matters of importance, such as evaluating plans to address emergency evacuation and/or providing resources for more affordable housing. More information is discussed in this bill analysis. Comments via regular mail can be sent to:

  The Honorable Laura Richardson
  California State Senate, District 35
  1021 O St., Ste. 7340
  Sacramento, CA 95814

  Copies can be sent to gavin.newsom@gov.ca.gov and to https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/ (a one-time registration is required to use this).  

Other Items of Interest

• It appears that Safeway Inc. is trying to impose a deed restriction at their old Tahoe City location near the Boatworks Mall that would prevent the old location from being used by another grocery store. A new local community group, Friends of Tahoe City, is objecting to this attempt. Concerns were also expressed in a recent letter sent to Safeway Headquarters by Supervisor Gustafson.

• As discussed in our last Newsletter, there are significant concerns among Tahoe communities about the USFS’s plans to use the chemical herbicide Glyphosphate (aka “Roundup”) in the Basin. While the USFS responded that no applications would occur in 2026 or 2027, their plans still call for herbicide applications in the future. A local community group has organized to spread the word and communicate actions that can be taken to prevent application. Recent efforts include proposals for the TRPA to ban synthetic herbicide use. TRPA sent this letter to the USFS; no response has been reported.

• The Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has released their annual State of the Lake Report, which provides information regarding annual and long-term water quality and meteorological trends in Lake Tahoe. While the annual average mid-lake clarity has generally plateaued, summer clarity has continued to degrade.

• Concerns regarding the elimination of the Basin’s power supply from NV Energy continue, with questions raised regarding the larger North Tahoe/Truckee Region.

• The Forest Service recently published a Federal Register notice announcing an interagency effort to monitor recreation use by implementing pilot projects across public lands. This effort is geared towards improving recreation resource management, visitor services, and planning. 

• The Museum of Sierra Ski History has launched a “virtual museum” using AI tools to craft immersive video experiences that bring rare artifacts, history, personal stories, and Olympic legends to life.

• Golden mussels, another aquatic invasive species of significant concern are creeping closer to Lake Tahoe. These mussels form dense colonies and can encrust rocks, pipes, boats and piers. However, unlike the other invasive mussels, the golden mussel can tolerate a broader ranges of salinity and temperatures.