The Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) is a cooperative effort to preserve, restore and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region. Key to this strategy is the partnerships developed in the Region over the last 20 years. Without the cooperation of all partners the additional effort, above and beyond the normal efforts, would be impossible. Our coordinated actions to save this unique Region is reaching maturity, and a great deal has been learned about how to work together.

If there is a theme to this update of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program it is improving on our cooperation, and exploring new levels of interaction. In deed, great strides have been taken to date, including: changes in funding requirements, regular meetings of the Basin Executives, development of a new planning and permitting process, development of key management questions to guide research for management, and an overall increase in the capacity to plan and implement projects. These efforts are indicative of the level of cooperation between partners that is not found anywhere else, and is the basis for the Region´s success.

Each partnering entity has found that it must not only focus on the management of each project but the suite of projects in different stages of development. Project and program management are essential tools to implement the many and complex projects that make up the EIP. While planning, design and permitting rely heavily project management skills; issues such as funding, research and overall direction rely on program management.

Effective program management has its rewards in greater efficiency of all efforts. The development of key management questions is an example of focusing research on critical management needs. The results of the Storm Water Quality Improvement Committee is an example working to improve the development of all projects, and the Basin Executives regular meetings have allowed for the exploration of even a greater levels of cooperation at the program management level (see white paper in Volume V).

The EIP has several components, which make up a comprehensive strategy for restoration and improvement. The components include: Capital Projects, Research and Science, Program Support and Technical Assistance, and Operations and Maintenance. Each volume of the update is organized around these components, and a summary of the funding is printed in the following table to indicate the relative level of effort for each component.