September/October 2020 Newsletter

Dear Friends:

This summer has highlighted some key concerns that West Shore residents, homeowners, and visitors have held for a long time - namely issues surrounding traffic, public safety, and the environmental capacity of the Basin. New concerns have also arisen in light of this year’s “record visitation,” including trash management and overuse of recreational resources.

While there are no easy solutions, we are pleased to see projects and plans underway that aim to improve transportation, public safety, environmental protection, and recreational experiences, including the State Route 89 Corridor Plan, the Meeks Bay Restoration Project, and the TRPA vehicle miles traveled threshold update process, all of which FOWS remains actively engaged. More details are provided below.

We would like to thank all who donated to FOWS in light of the cancellation of our Annual Community Pizza Party due to COVID. Your support is essential in helping us keep you informed and to represent community and environmental interests of the West Shore. Donations are always appreciated and can be made at any time here.

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

COVID-19 Community Information

Placer County was recently removed from the state’s monitoring list, however continued compliance with social distancing and wearing masks is imperative.

While El Dorado County (EDC) has remained off the monitoring list, the Lake Tahoe portion of the county has a “high level of concern;” if not for the averaging of COVID cases among the entire county, Lake Tahoe would be on the Governor’s Watch List and subject to additional closures. EDC has recently joined with others to encourage everyone to wear a mask.

More information is available at:
 

Meeks Bay Resort Restoration Project

FOWS recently conducted a survey of our members and supporters to gather feedback on views about project alternatives that will be evaluated in the upcoming environmental review. Survey results were reported in a recent Alert to our newsletter subscribers and were supported by an informal poll conducted by the agencies during a public workshop/webinar on 8/19. The general consensus is:

  • Most support restoration of the lagoon;

  • If a new pier and boat ramp are built, most favor a location on the north side of the bay,

  • While some are interested in retaining marina boat access through the marina or a boat ramp, most do not find it important;

  • Most favor a non-motorized recreation alternative that would restore the lagoon and focus on prioritizing non-motorized activities.

A collaborative public process to address issues, concerns, and alternative options to the proposed project is now underway. To date, two Stakeholder Forums and one Public Workshop/Webinar have been held to work on the development of alternative project options, which have been narrowed down to the following (as presented during the 8/19 public webinar):

Upcoming meetings include:

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

  • October 14: Public Workshop/webinar (Time TBD)

All meetings are open to the public. Additional information can be found here.

State Route 89 Corridor Plan
 

The draft State Route (SR) 89 Corridor Plan, which will address options to improve traffic and pedestrian conditions in the future (especially at Emerald Bay), was released for public review on July 22. A stakeholder workshop and multiple public webinars were held to explain the plan and obtain feedback. Agencies requested comments on the plan by August 22 (read FOWS comments here). The Final Plan will be released in September. A public workshop/webinar is scheduled for:

Tuesday, September 22
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iOz3S2a7Tqq8G6HPG7bYow

The Plan involves a variety of measures to improve public safety, reduce congestion, increase transit, and improve recreation, and would be implemented in phases. 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

Lake Tahoe West partners recently released an interactive story map where the public can learn about Lake Tahoe West's approach to restore forests and watersheds on 59,000 acres of Lake Tahoe's west shore and how science is informing those efforts. 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. At this time, Placer County is working with Caltrans to finalize necessary agreements and hopes to begin construction this year.

Other Project Updates

  • Homewood Mountain Resort - There are no new updates since our last newsletter.

  • Fanny Bridge/SR 89 Realignment - Construction planned 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 - 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 comment period for the draft environmental review document closes on 9/3. Learn more.

Regional Planning Updates

TRPA Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Threshold Update

TRPA continues to work on updating the VMT threshold standard. The current regional capacity-based standard, which sets a maximum number of VMT allowed in the basin on one day (typically a mid-week day in August), was based on air pollution levels that have significantly improved in the last forty years; for this reason, TRPA is proposing to delete the standard. However, VMT still results in other environmental and public health and safety impacts. TRPA proposes to instead incorporate a VMT standard tied only to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are based on “per capita” (per person) VMT. What this means is that the miles driven by each person could decrease, but the total number of people driving could increase, and thus VMT could continue to rise with no maximum cap even as the GHG-based standard is met.

FOWS supports updating the standard to reflect existing conditions and trends and incorporate GHG targets, however we are extremely concerned with TRPA’s direction toward elimination of the capacity-based VMT standard. We will continue to engage in the update process, including our participation on the TRPA Transportation Technical Advisory Committee.

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