In the News

One Year Anniversary of the Lake Tahoe Report
date posted: March 2 2004

By John Cobourn, Water Resource Specialist, and Heather Segale, Environmental Education Coordinator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Last week marked the 54th installment of the weekly newspaper articles and TV news segments about Lake Tahoe known as the Lake Tahoe Report. This series has covered a wide range of topics, with the goal of providing interesting reading and informing citizens about the Tahoe environment and its complex problems.

The problems that affect the water in the lake and the trees in the forest can affect you more than you may realize. Lake Tahoe serves as a main source of drinking water for the region. The lake also contributes tourism revenue to both the local communities and to the state’s economy. Location determines property values. The lake is really the asset that drives the economy here. This is what people come for, to enjoy it, to see it, to be in it, and to be around it.

Over the past year, these articles have reported on topics such as water quality, air quality, pollution prevention, forest health, wildfire, wildlife, transportation, and more. In many cases, the articles point out what citizens can do to help.

The series began with several articles describing the steady decline of the lake’s water quality, and the erosion and nutrient pollution in the watershed that are causing this decline. With this problem in mind, a dozen articles dealt with ways that citizens can help solve it. These described best management practices (BMPs) that people can use on their properties to reduce erosion potential and mimic native soil and vegetation conditions.

The basic concept of the watershed approach is that everybody who lives, works or plays in the Tahoe Basin needs to learn to be a steward of our natural resources.

Several articles explained how government agencies are collaborating to solve the lake’s problems through a massive restoration effort called the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP). Many Tahoe communities have benefited from EIP Projects that have improved the appearance and function of drainage systems, roadside slopes, and natural streams and wetlands. People need to learn about these success stories to appreciate the value of the EIP.

With the growing threat of wildfire in Tahoe forests, several articles dealt with forest management, including explanations of fuels reduction practices such as prescribed burning of the forest floor. This topic will certainly be explored further in 2004.

The link between private automobile use, poor air quality and atmospheric deposition of pollutants into the lake was discussed. The solution is for people to drive fewer miles and ride public transportation more. That is a challenge for all of us.

Other articles have featured environmental learning programs in the schools, recycling, and conserving and protecting our drinking water.

We hope the information we provide will inspire you to think more about the issues presented and possibly take action in your own home or community. It will take a community of watershed stewards working together with the best interest of the environment in mind to tip the scales.

Now the authors are asking you for input regarding how to improve the information in these articles. There is a web-based survey available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=36188386648 (or visit www.kolotv.com and find the Lake Tahoe Report Survey), where you can make comments and provide suggestions. What do you think of these articles? What topics would you like us to cover? Should some topics be repeated? What questions do you have? If you wish, you can also call (775) 832-4150 to give us your suggestions or to have a survey mailed to you.

Watch for “The Lake Tahoe Report” on KOLO-TV News Channel 8 every Tuesday at 5 p.m. to learn more. “The Lake Tahoe Report” is a collaborative effort of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, UC Davis and the USDA Forest Service. For more information, contact Heather Segale, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 832-4138, or logon to www.lteec.org or www.unce.unr.edu.