League To Save Lake Tahoe

Tackling invasive species-tahoe keys controlled methods test:the controlled methods test (cmt) was a priority focus for the league in 2024 for non-herbicide methods and the conclusion of the three-year test. Laminar flow aeration, uv-c light, and diver-assisted suction hand removal methods were deployed in the tahoe keys to tackle the invasive species threat. The results of the full three years of the cmt will be published in 2025.lake tahoe aquatic invasive species (ais) containment:in 2024, the league worked with the tahoe keys property owners association to measure the efficacy of containment with bubble curtain technology. The pilot ais technology, collecthor and pixie drone were also deployed in the tahoe keys to help remove fragments of invasive weeds. Cd3 machine:in 2023, the league introduced a mobile, solar-powered cleaning station intended to stop the spread of invasive species from non-motorized watercraft before entering lake tahoe. In 2024, the program was expanded with additional machines to meeks bay with the washoe tribe.eyes on the lake:eyes on the lake is the league's citizen science program to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (ais), which pose the biggest threat to lake tahoe's delicate ecology. Volunteers learn about ais in tahoe, conduct self-paced surveys while they enjoy the lake, and report their observations through the citizen science tahoe app. The league provides training to marina staff and distributes displays to businesses around the region to spread awareness. In 2024, the league hosted 6 training opportunities with 119 participants. Along with partner agencies, the league uses our citizen scientists' data to launch a rapid response to stop aquatic invaders in their tracks.

Advancing restoration-motel 6 acquisition:in 2024, the california tahoe conservancy's acquisition of the motel 6 property and surrounding 31 acres within the upper truckee river watershed in south lake tahoe came together with league support, through comments, lobbying, and funding. The league is working with agency and nonprofit partners to create a plan for the restoration of this marsh as one of the lake's largest natural pollution filters. Once the buildings are removed and the habitat is restored, the property will reconnect more than 750 acres of marsh and meadow habitat, prevent sediment and polluted runoff from reaching the lake, and help keep tahoe blue.lake tahoe restoration act:league staff and board lobbied in washington, dc for both the reauthorization of the lake tahoe restoration act (ltra) funding and the appropriation of funding through the ltra. Tahoe fared well in 2024 with federal appropriations. Overall, the funding level in the house report is $36.9m in total allocation (a 26% increase over fy24); however, the likely allocation is $29.025m. In september of 2024, the reauthorization passed in the senate, and the approval extends existing funding authorizations for approximately $300 million to 2034 and continues federal support for priority eip projects to protect and restore lake tahoe.snapshot day:2024 was the league's 24th annual snapshot day event, where citizen scientists collect water quality data from streams and lakes in the tahoe basin to capture a moment in time snapshot of the health of the tahoe-truckee watershed. The information is compiled into long-term data sets on water quality conditions within the tahoe-truckee watershed. The baseline data can be used in ongoing and future environmental projects.