In 1980, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) was charged
with developing and attaining environmental threshold carrying
capacities referred to as Thresholds. Nine categories of
Thresholds were adopted in 1982:
Each Threshold category contains a number of specific indicators
and standards that are used to track, evaluate, and report
the status of each Threshold over time. Beginning in 1991,
the nine Thresholds are evaluated every 5 years through assessment
of the 36 Threshold indicators. Currently, an extensive Threshold
Update is underway (with anticipated completion date in 2004),
the results of which will set TRPA´s direction and lay the
groundwork for the adoption of the next 20-year Regional Plan
in 2007.
The environmental threshold carrying capacities are vitally
important to the overall TRPA program and Lake Tahoe Basin
restoration efforts. The Threshold Update will lay the foundation
for the 2007 revision of the 1987 Regional Plan. The
Regional Plan, with a timeframe of 20 years, is comprised
of many parts and is an extensive document that sets the stage
for development and environmental restoration in the Lake
Tahoe Basin. Essentially, the Regional Plan will lay the
groundwork of actions needed to promote Threshold attainment
and Lake Tahoe restoration.
An ambitious Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) support
the long-term restoration of Lake Tahoe and attainment of
its Environmental Thresholds. The scope of the EIP is vast
and encompasses programs, projects, research and monitoring
efforts.
Resources:
Threshold Evaluation Report:
2001
Threshold Evaluation Executive Summary
