Renew America Success Stories

Lake Tahoe Regional Plan

 

The Lake Tahoe Regional Plan, administered by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, works to protect the environment of the Lake Tahoe region by regulating numerous development issues, including land use, development density, rate of urban growth, percentage of land coverage, excavation activities and the impact of development on scenic views. 

Created in 1969 as part of the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact adopted by both the California and Nevada legislatures, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) was assigned the task of developing a regional plan that would reverse the deterioration of the waters of Lake Tahoe and other resources in order to protect the natural beauty and economic productivity of the region. In developing the plan, the TRPA was instructed to establish environmental threshold carrying capacities for water quality, air quality, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, fish habitat, vegetation, noise, recreation and scenic resources. 

The regional plan contains a transportation/air quality plan designed to maintain the region's excellent air quality and to reduce dependence on the automobile. Public transit is viewed as a way to further improve air and water quality to and to reduce traffic congestion. The plan also addresses the need to repair existing environmental damage. Finally, the regional plan includes a comprehensive monitoring program, in which the results of the ongoing program are compiled and evaluated every five years. 

While TRPA sees itself as primarily an environmental agency, it recognizes the interdependence of environmental, economic and social well-being of the region. Over time, environmental groups, property rights advocates, business interests and numerous government agencies involved at Lake Tahoe have come to recognize that the region's economic vitality is dependent upon a healthy environment. 

Program Highlights 

Streamlining 

• TRPA has signed agreements with government agencies, public utilities, and others who undertake public service and recreational projects to exempt certain of their activities from TRPA review and approval. The agreements allow TRPA staff to focus more on private residential and commercial permits and on long range planning issues.

• Under a plan to revitalize Main Street, TRPA will help rehabilitate run-down properties, address traffic and parking problems and other environmental issues. As a result, communities will become more attractive to visitors and local residents.

• TRPA has approved a major redevelopment project in South Lake Tahoe that will provide for pedestrian, bicycle and transit improvements, fund environmental improvements and open view corridors to the magnificent Lake Tahoe scenery.

• In order to keep up with public opinion and public needs, and to ensure TRPA keeps the public's support and participation, TRPA publishes newsletters and newspaper columns, holds public workshops and engages the public one-on-one.

TRPA is: 

• looking for alternatives to road de-icing salts.
• working with local official to help protect life and property from wildland fire.
• working to increase the availability of affordable housing.
• examining the impact of development along shorelines.
• evaluating the need for additional recreational facilities.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: The Lake Tahoe Regional Plan is administered by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). The TRPA was created in 1969 as part of the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact. 

Budget: Approximately $3.8 million annually. 

Community Served: The residents of the Lake Tahoe Region. 

Measures of Success:

• Local governments, with matching federal and state funds, have spent more than $70 million on projects to control erosion and runoff, improve drainage and restore the fragile watershed.