Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)

2023: Round Hill Pines Resort Retrofit Outdoor recreation is central to the Tahoe experience, supporting the region’s economy while connecting millions of visitors to the landscape. But increased visitation can also place pressure on the very resources people come here to enjoy, making sustainable access and resilient facilities more important than ever. The revitalization of Round Hill Pines demonstrates how thoughtful investment can improve public recreation while advancing Tahoe’s environmental goals. Completed in 2023, the project transformed an aging recreation facility through infrastructure upgrades that included water quality improvements, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), a safer entrance, managed parking, road resurfacing, and pier replacement. The improvements also expanded sustainable access by making the facility reachable by transit. Through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, partners are applying destination stewardship principles to create recreation opportunities that protect the basin’s natural resources. At Round Hill Pines, BMP retrofit plans were incorporated into the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit’s new 30-year special use permit, helping bring the site into compliance with regulations that protect Lake Tahoe’s water clarity while supporting continued public access. Projects like Round Hill Pines demonstrate that protecting Tahoe and providing opportunities for people to experience the lake can go hand in hand—creating a more sustainable future for recreation in the basin. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photo by: TRPA

The 30th Annual Tahoe Summit Issue is Here! This special issue of Tahoe In Depth reviews three decades of collaborative conservation projects that are protecting lake clarity, improving forest health, preventing aquatic invasive species, and improving Tahoe’s transportation systems. Read about the EIP, Team Tahoe, and how projects that never came to be have become part of Lake Tahoe’s conservation success story. Explore the full issue at TahoeInDepth.org and consider subscribing to get the next edition delivered straight to your mailbox. #TRPA #LakeTahoe #LakeTahoeEIP #TogetherforTahoe #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit Cover photo by: Twilight and Rust SLT

2022: Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway Advances For generations, roads shaped how people moved through South Lake Tahoe. Dennis T. Machida, a longtime leader in Tahoe conservation and a driving force behind efforts to create a connected trail system on the South Shore, envisioned a future where people could move through their communities and experience Tahoe by foot and bike. The Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway brings that vision to life, transforming a once planned highway corridor into a safe, accessible connection for walking, biking, and recreation. A major partnership between the California Tahoe Conservancy, the City of South Lake Tahoe, and other Team Tahoe partners helped make that vision possible. Completed in 2022, the 3.86-mile shared-use trail serves as the backbone of the South Shore’s trail network, linking neighborhoods, destinations, and natural areas while providing an alternative to driving. Beyond improving mobility and recreation, the Greenway delivers important environmental benefits by incorporating stormwater improvements that help protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality. The project reflects the EIP’s multi-benefit approach—creating places for people to enjoy Tahoe while advancing environmental goals. As partners look toward the future of recreation in the basin, efforts to scale the goals of the Recreation Threshold are helping shape how Tahoe can provide world-class outdoor experiences while protecting the landscapes that make them possible. Future extensions will continue expanding the Greenway east to the Nevada state line, following the right-of-way of a planned—but never constructed—freeway across the South Shore. The Upper Truckee Bridge at Johnson Meadow project will tie the Greenway into trails around the South Tahoe “Y,” bringing the region closer to the connected trail network Dennis envisioned. The Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway demonstrates how a long-term vision, sustained partnership, and thoughtful investment can improve quality of life, expand access, and create a more sustainable future for recreation in Tahoe. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photo by: California Tahoe Conservancy

Together for Tahoe. The first Tahoe Summit brought international attention to Lake Tahoe, highlighting both its beauty and the imminent threats to the region’s environment and communities. The Tahoe Summit turned urgency into action, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP. Thirty years later, the EIP has delivered more than 900 lake-saving projects that protect water quality, reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and support sustainable recreation and transportation. With the support of federal, state, regional, and local agencies, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, scientists, nonprofits, and the private sector, the EIP is one of the most successful landscape-scale conservation programs in the nation. Learn more about the Tahoe Summit and the EIP at restoretahoe.org. #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe

Remembering the Caldor Fire Five years ago today, what would become just the second wildfire on record to jump the granitic crest of the Sierra Nevada ignited near Grizzly Flats, Calif., more than 60 miles west of the Tahoe Basin. We are joining our partners on the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team today to remember the 221,000-acre fire, the evacuation of 30,000 Lake Tahoe residents, and the firefight that saved Lake Tahoe communities. As the Caldor Fire bore down on hundreds of homes in the southern portion of the basin, the wind shifted and fire crews found that fuel reduction projects and defensible space work in the area gave them the chance they needed to fight the fire more aggressively, ultimately changing the outcome of a destructive megafire. The 10,000-acre scar is a reminder that we live with fire. The clear, blue lake and the neighborhoods that were saved are a reminder that we can make a difference together. #TogetherforTahoe Photos by: Copernicus Sentinel Satellite, U.S. Forest Service, CalFIRE, TRPA

2021: Caldor Fire Threatens Tahoe In August 2021, the Caldor Fire became one of the largest wildfires in California history, burning more than 220,000 acres, including approximately 10,000 acres in the Tahoe Basin. Despite the fire’s proximity to South Shore communities, no permanent structures in the Tahoe Basin were lost. It was a remarkable outcome shaped by years of preparation, including fuels reduction, home hardening, and coordinated efforts through the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT). When the fire approached Tahoe, decades of collaboration and investment helped strengthen the region’s response. Through TFFT, land managers, fire districts, agencies, and community partners have worked together to reduce wildfire risk through forest restoration and fuels reduction. These efforts improved forest conditions and supported firefighters working to protect communities. Water infrastructure investments also played a critical role, providing reliable water supplies and strengthening firefighting capacity when every resource mattered. The Caldor Fire also advanced our understanding of forest resilience. Scientific analysis has shown that areas with prior fuels treatments experienced different fire behavior than untreated areas, providing valuable insight that helped shape updates to Tahoe’s Forest Health Thresholds and guide future restoration and fuels reduction strategies. The lessons from Caldor continue to shape Tahoe’s wildfire resilience efforts. Partners are advancing landscape-scale projects like the Lake Tahoe West Restoration Partnership, expanding Fire-Smart Communities programs that help residents prepare homes and neighborhoods, and investing through initiatives like Water for Fire to upgrade water systems and strengthen firefighting infrastructure across the basin. The Caldor Fire demonstrated the power of Team Tahoe—firefighters, water suppliers, land managers, agencies, and communities working together to prepare for challenges, apply science, and protect Tahoe from wildfire. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photos by: CalFIRE and California Natural Resources Agency

2020: Pilot Launches for 72-Mile Clean Up In Lake Tahoe, litter stops you in your tracks. Against the backdrop of crystal-clear blue water and pristine landscapes, even a single piece of trash feels out of place. But what happens when litter reaches the lake? Beneath the surface, submerged debris can threaten water quality, wildlife, scenic resources, and the recreational experience that draws people from around the world. Through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, partners have continued to advance innovative approaches to protecting Tahoe’s nearshore environment. In 2020, Clean Up The Lake, in partnership with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, launched a pilot project to investigate and remove submerged litter from the lakebed using SCUBA divers and a dedicated team of volunteers. The pilot helped develop the skills, safety procedures, and techniques needed for a first-of-its-kind effort: a 72-mile SCUBA-enabled cleanup around the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. During the initial effort, divers and volunteers completed 7.1 miles of shoreline cleanup, removing 3,607 pieces of litter—including 1,968 cans, six tires, and more than 2,200 pounds of submerged debris. By removing trash before it breaks down into microplastics and other pollutants, the project supports healthier waters, protects aquatic ecosystems, and preserves the natural beauty that defines Tahoe. The effort also demonstrates the power of Team Tahoe—bringing together government agencies, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and community members with a shared commitment to protecting Lake Tahoe. By combining scientific expertise, local knowledge, and community action, partners are tackling emerging challenges and creating innovative solutions to protect the lake for future generations. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photo by: Clean Up The Lake

2019: Tahoe East Shore Trail Opens For decades, experiencing Lake Tahoe’s iconic East Shore meant navigating a narrow highway with few options beyond driving. Access to beloved destinations like Sand Harbor was limited, roadside parking created safety challenges, and congestion threatened the very landscapes people came to enjoy. The Tahoe East Shore Trail changed that. Through the State Route 28 Corridor Management Plan, dozens of public and private partners came together to design, fund, and build a transformative connection that reimagined how people access one of Tahoe’s most treasured shorelines. Opened in 2019, the 3-mile trail created a safe, accessible route for people walking, biking, and exploring the East Shore while reducing reliance on personal vehicles and improving safety along the corridor. The trail has become a scenic wonder and transportation solution that provides a new way to experience Tahoe’s beauty while protecting its natural resources. The project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when partners unite around a shared vision. The Nevada Department of Transportation and Tahoe Transportation District led critical planning and implementation efforts, while the Tahoe Fund helped demonstrate the power of public-private partnership by bringing philanthropic investment and community support to help advance this landmark project. The work continues. New improvements are coming to the East Shore to further enhance safety, parking, and transit, including the Spooner Mobility Hub with an aquatic invasive species inspection station and an expanded segment of the Tahoe East Shore Trail as part of the Stateline-to-Stateline Trail. These investments will bring the region one step closer to a continuous pathway encircling Lake Tahoe, creating more sustainable ways to experience the lake. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photo by: Michael Okimoto / Tahoe Fund

2018: Prescribed Burning at D.L. Bliss California State Park Fire has shaped the Tahoe Basin’s landscape for thousands of years. The waší∙šiw (Washoe people – the people from here) used low-intensity fires as a tool to care for the land, maintain healthy ecosystems, and support the plants and wildlife that sustained their communities. Naturally occurring fires also helped create resilient forests by reducing fuels and maintaining ecological balance. Over the past century, fire suppression disrupted this natural process, allowing dense vegetation and forest fuels to build up and increasing the risk of severe wildfire. Restoring Tahoe’s forests requires bringing fire back as a carefully managed tool for stewardship. In 2018, California State Parks and Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) partners advanced this effort through prescribed fire treatments at D.L. Bliss California State Park on Tahoe’s West Shore. The project demonstrated how intentional fire can reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health, and restore important ecological processes while supporting Tahoe’s Forest Health Threshold goals. Through TFFT, California State Parks, the Nevada Division of State Lands, fire districts, the Washoe Tribe, and other partners continue expanding the use of prescribed fire alongside mechanical fuels reduction, forest restoration, and efforts to support the return of cultural burning practices. The work continues. New investments, including fire safety upgrades at D.L. Bliss and regional efforts like the Lake Tahoe West Restoration Partnership, build on decades of collaboration to create healthier forests and more resilient communities. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photos by: Rich Adams and California State Parks

2017: Kings Beach Commercial Core Revitalization For decades, Tahoe’s communities have worked to transform busy corridors into safer, more connected places for people and the environment. In 2017, Placer County's Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project reshaped one of the North Shore’s busiest areas, combining transportation upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and water quality protections through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program. The project introduced roundabouts, improved sidewalks and bike access, enhanced stormwater treatment, and strengthened connections to local businesses and recreation. That same year, Keep Tahoe Blue helped South Lake Tahoe launch a dockless bikeshare program with LimeBike, expanding car-free travel options. Today, these efforts continue through the Connections 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and the vision of Car-Free, Carefree Tahoe—creating a transportation system that makes it easier to walk, bike, ride transit, and enjoy the Basin while reducing congestion and protecting Lake Tahoe for the future. As the 30th anniversary of the Tahoe Summit approaches, partners are highlighting 30 EIP projects, partnerships, and milestones that have helped shape Tahoe’s future. Follow along at #30YearsoftheTahoeSummit #LakeTahoeEIP #LakeTahoe #RestoreTahoe #TeamTahoe | Photo by: Generikal