Contact:                                                                                               

Victoria Ortiz

California Tahoe Conservancy

Ph: (530) 543-6063

Email: Victoria.Ortiz@tahoe.ca.gov

Tahoe Conservancy Releases Draft Plan to Restore Upper Truckee Marsh, Seeks Public Input

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – February 7, 2013 – The California Tahoe Conservancy released a draft plan today to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh, Tahoe’s largest remaining wetland. The plan includes five alternatives to restore the health of the 600 acre marsh, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and provide recreational opportunities.

“This will be the largest restoration project in the Tahoe Basin to date,” said Conservancy Executive Director Patrick Wright. “We encourage public comment to help us shape the final plan.”

Beginning in the late 1950s, portions of the Upper Truckee River through the marsh were straightened and channelized to facilitate construction of the adjacent Tahoe Keys development. A primary goal of the draft plan is to reconnect the river with the marsh, and to restore the natural processes that filter fine sediment and other pollutants before they enter Lake Tahoe.

The Conservancy has not yet selected a preferred alternative, but will draw from public comment and features from several alternatives in crafting the final plan. Pending available funding and necessary approvals, the multi-year project could proceed to construction as early as 2015.

Public meetings and hearings on the draft plan will be held by the Conservancy, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on the following dates:

• February 27, 2013: 1:30-4pm and 6-8pm at the Inn by the Lake
• March 13, 2013: 9:30am at the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission
• March 27, 2013: 9:30am at the TRPA Governing Board Meeting
• March 28, 2013: 6-8:30pm at the Lake Tahoe Community College Board Room

Written comments will be accepted during the public meetings and throughout the review period. Public review will begin on February 7, 2013, and comments must be received no later than April 8, 2013. You do not need to attend the public meetings to comment on the document. Please submit comments via email to Scott.Carroll@tahoe.ca.gov.

Established in 1984, the mission of the Tahoe Conservancy is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

For more information, call Victoria Ortiz at (530) 542-6063 or visit http://tahoe.ca.gov