Conservancy Awards Over $3 million to El Dorado County

Published: Mar 15, 2018

Kings Beach, Calif.—The California Tahoe Conservancy Board yesterday approved a $3.182 million grant to El Dorado County to build the next phase of the South Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail. The Conservancy completed construction of the first phase in October 2015, providing a .42-mile neighborhood connection between Glenwood Way and Herbert Avenue. Together with the first phase, this phase will provide almost two miles of continuous shared use trail in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

“This portion of the trail is an important link between the Tahoe Sierra and Bijou neighborhoods, Lake Tahoe Community College, and the community playfields said El Dorado County Supervisor and Conservancy Board Member Sue Novasel. “The County is well positioned to construct the trail, given its extensive experience building trails in sensitive environments at Lake Tahoe.”

Conservancy Board Chair Brooke Laine said “The Greenway Trail is the result of a strong partnership between the Conservancy, the College, the City of South Lake Tahoe, and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and we are pleased to now include El Dorado County in this partnership.” This was Ms. Laine’s first full meeting as Chair, replacing longtime Chair Larry Sevison.

The Board also approved $335,360 in three grants for aquatic invasive species plant removal at Meeks Bay Marina, public outreach and education for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan, and Lake Tahoe Water Trail signage and mobile mapping software development.

At the same meeting, the Board held a workshop to begin the development of the Conservancy’s new five year strategic plan. The workshop included peer agencies and stakeholders that have worked with the Conservancy to implement projects and programs. The Board intends to adopt a new strategic plan by this fall.

The Board also approved a forest health project in the Cold Creek neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe, grant funding from Caltrans for a Lake Tahoe climate adaption strategy, and modifications to the Executive Director’s compensation.

Contact: Jane Freeman, (530) 543-6038, jane.freeman@tahoe.ca.gov