Congress Approves Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act

Submitted by IVCBA Member TRPA, 09/24/24

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – A partnership of Lake Tahoe agencies applauded Congress today for its passage of a bill to reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (LTRA), which is the cornerstone of federal investment in theLake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), one of the most comprehensive and successful conservation programs in the nation.

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. Since the EIP was formed in 1997, public and private sector partners have completed more than 830 projects including wetland restoration, bike trails, forest fuel reduction, and aquatic invasive species prevention and control. The federal commitment has helped leverage local, state, and private investments which together total more than $2.8 billion in environmental improvements.

Known as Team Tahoe, the EIP is a partnership of more than 80 public, tribal, and non-profit organizations.

“The Lake Tahoe Region is grateful to Congress for their leadership in passing this critical piece of legislation to continue the collaborative work to protect and restore Lake Tahoe,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Extending the federal investment in the Environmental Improvement Program will leverage millions of dollars in state and local funding to implement the top priority projects for the lake and our communities.”

Rosalie Herrera, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, said “USDA has testified in support of S. 612 as these federal funds will continue to allow work with states, local governments, and other public and private entities to provide for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, watershed restoration, and invasive plant projects on federal and non-federal lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin”

Since LTRA was authorized in 2016, $122 million in federal funds have supported EIP partners in treating 21,000 acres of forest to reduce wildfire risk, restoring 342 acres of wetlands to protect biodiversity and the lake’s clarity, and inspecting 51,000 boats for aquatic invasive species. These federal funds have been matched by $500 million in state, local, tribal, and private matching funds. Additionally, the EIP supports an average of 1,700 jobs a year and every $1 million in spending generates $1.6 million in economic output.

“In the thick of election season, the successful bipartisan effort to pass the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act is something the whole country can celebrate,” said Dr. Darcie Goodman Collins, CEO ofLeague to Save Lake Tahoe/Keep Tahoe Blue. “In every conversation we have with lawmakers, we hear nothing but commitment to protect this national treasure. Working together is how we’ll continue to Keep Tahoe Blue.” 

“We are thrilled about the extension of the LTRA, and are so grateful to the extraordinarily hard-working senators, congresspeople and staff members who represent us in Washington,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “An enormous amount of work goes into preserving this pristine natural treasure enjoyed by so many. Our champions in Congress and the resources provided through the LTRA continue to inspire our generous donors to contribute to the long-term health of Lake Tahoe.”

The Restoration Act will address the biggest environmental challenges facing the lake, including water quality, forest health, and the harmful spread of aquatic invasive species.

The bill is sponsored by Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) in the Senate and by Mark Amodei (R-NV), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and John Duarte (R-CA) in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced in March 2023 with the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as an original cosponsor.

Media Contacts
Jeff Cowen, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, (775) 589-5278,  jcowen@trpa.gov

Charles Clark, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, (520) 282-0020,Charles.h.clark@usda.gov

Chris Joseph, League to Save Lake Tahoe, (530) 541-5388, cjoseph@keeptahoeblue.org

Jess Weaver, JVP Communications, Tahoe Fund (530) 448-6981, jessica@jvpcommunications.com

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In 1969, the U.S. Congress ratified the bi-state compact between the states of Nevada and California to create the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). TRPA leads the collaborative effort to protect and restore Lake Tahoe, and proudly leads the Environmental Improvement Program collaboration of more than 80 public and private organizations.

Attached Images:

Image: East Shore of Lake Tahoe
Caption: Looking across Lake Tahoe’s 190 square-mile surface from the East Shore of Lake Tahoe, Nev. The alpine lake spans the borders of Nevada and California. The USDA Forest Service manages nearly 80 percent of the land in the watershed. Image Credit: Drone Promotions
Credit: Drone Promotions

Image: South Shore Lake Tahoe Aerial2
Caption: Taylor and Tallac Creeks and Marsh and USDA Forest Service Visitor Center, South Shore of Lake Tahoe, Calif. 
Credit: Drone Promotions

Image: Lake Tahoe West Shore Aerial
Caption: West Shore of Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Credit: Drone Promotions