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Each property owner can help to protect and preserve our environmental
resources at Lake Tahoe. Simple things such as reducing waste
and pollution, conserving water and other resources, using fertilizer
sparingly and wisely, using public transportation and installing
the required BMPs can help to save Lake Tahoe for future generations.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Each homeowner plays a critical role in reducing the impact
of urban runoff resulting from development. Runoff from residential
areas transports nutrients and sediment to surface waters, adversely
affecting the water quality and clarity of Lake Tahoe.
Best Management Practices (BMPs), designed to prevent nutrient
and sediment loading to Lake Tahoe, are required on all commercial
properties, on the public roadways, and yes, even on our own
private property. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
recommends that you have your residence evaluated for BMPs.
Typically, a BMP retrofit for a residential property entails
measures such as spreading mulch over exposed soil areas, paving
dirt driveways, and in some cases installing infiltration systems
next to driveways and under roof driplines.
BMPs are structural and non-structural practices proven effective
in management of surface runoff and other non-point source pollution.
Typically, a BMP Retrofit for a residential property entails
inexpensive measures such as spreading mulch over exposed soil
areas, paving dirt driveways, and in some cases installing infiltration
systems under roof drip lines. Call the Tahoe Regional Planning
Agency´s Erosion Control Team (775-588-4547) or your local Conservation
District (California, 530-543-1501) or Nevada, 530-573-2754)
to schedule a free BMP site evaluation.
Fertilizer Usage
When you're fertilizing the lawn, remember you're not just
fertilizing the lawn. The rain washes fertilizer along the curb,
into the storm drain, and directly into our streams and Lake
Tahoe. This causes algae to grow, which decreases the clarity
of the lake. So if you fertilize, please follow directions and
use sparingly.
Water Conservation
Please don´t waste water - To irrigate your lawn efficiently
and avoid over-watering, you should perform an “irrigation audit”
(or “can” test) on your sprinkler system. If you are applying
more than 1 and one-half inches of water per week in spring
or fall, or more than 2 inches per week in July and August,
you are over-watering and perhaps leaching nutrients down into
the groundwater.
Visit Your Local Demonstration Garden
There are two community demonstration gardens for property
owners to visit:
- The North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, located on the
Campus of Sierra Nevada College, and
- The South Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, on the campus
of Lake Tahoe Community College.
These gardens demonstrate fundamental principles of successful
landscaping and gardening at Lake Tahoe, where the growing season
is short, rich soil is scarce, and reliable information on high-altitude
gardening is in short supply. But, there is more to the garden
than simply learning how to landscape your property. You can
conserve water, control soil erosion, enhance water quality,
and understand how we can protect and enhance this beautiful
place we call home.
Contacts:
* North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, Margaret Solomon at
(775) 831-8437
* South Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, Lake Tahoe Community
College
Pick Up a Copy of the Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe
and Vicinity
The Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe and Vicinity
helps homeowners design landscapes, control erosion, maintain
native vegetation and wildlife habitat, improve soil and irrigate
efficiently. It contains suggested plan lists, pest-management
tips and defensible space practices to protect homes from wildfire.
"We hope this guide helps homeowners achieve their individual
landscape goals, while encouraging them to implement appropriate
landscape practices that preserve the lake's unique environment,"
said John Cobourn, water resource specialist and principle author.
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