The North Tahoe PUD recently announced the opening of the all-new Tennis and Pickleball Facility in the North Tahoe Regional Park. Three new tennis courts and six new pickleball courts are now open to the public. This project was supported with grant funding from the NTCA, the Placer County Park Dedication Fund, and the NTPUD Capital Improvement Plan Budget. Check out the NTPUD’s new webpage for details on facility hours and court rental fees.

Have you signed up for fall and winter programs yet?

NTPUD Residents: Check out the Fall/Winter 2023 Activity Guide and sign up!

TCPUD Residents: Online registration for Fall/Winter Recreation Programs and Winter Sports Park Reservations for the Tahoe City PUD opens on Thursday, November 2 at 12:00 PM. Check out the activity guide and get ready to sign up!

The multi-jurisdictional development of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan and efforts to educate visitors about how to help take care of Tahoe has drawn the attention of national media outlets, including CNN Travel and Comstock’s in recent weeks.

Yes, Tahoe Has a Tourism Problem
Moonshine Ink
Megan Michelson 
October 12, 2023

Saving Lake Tahoe
Comstock’s
Ashleigh Goodwin
September 11, 2023

The monster that feeds and eats away at Lake Tahoe
CNN Travel
Kimberley Lovato
September 7, 2023

In addition, in early August, NTCA president and CEO Tony Karwowski, Travel North Tahoe Nevada president and CEO Andy Chapman, and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority CEO Carol Chaplin penned the joint op-ed you’ll find below. This op-ed was recently published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

To Take Care of Tahoe, Everyone Has a Role to Play.

By Tony Karwowski, Andy Chapman, and Carol Chaplin

Recent news stories have highlighted some of the impacts of tourism in Tahoe. While some of the efforts underway to help reduce human impacts and shift behaviors are mentioned, those stories rarely emphasize how reliant Tahoe’s economy is on tourism. After all, it is what supports local businesses and puts many of our friends and neighbors to work. Stories about tourism also rarely talk about how everyone has a role to play. Locals — “long-time residents” or “community members”, as one contributing writer recently said, have just as much responsibility as those who visit to change their behaviors and help take care of Tahoe.

For decades, Lake Tahoe’s local economy has relied on visitors and the many businesses that provide lodging, food and beverage service, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Although the region had a robust tourism economy prior to 2020, the pandemic shifted how, when and where people spent time in Tahoe.

According to a report released by Dean Runyon Associates in March 2022, second homeowners came and stayed with greater frequency, and overnight visitation declined in favor of day visits by those located within an easy drive. This is common knowledge at this point, felt by all who lived here prior to and through the pandemic.

What is less understood, however, is that as a result, travel spending declined by nearly 12%. Local job opportunities declined by 16%, and it diminished tax revenues that are used to reinvest in community infrastructure by 12%. The increase in day visit traffic also highlighted the glaring limitations of our existing infrastructure — from transportation to trash.

Lake Tahoe has always been a desirable destination to live, work and play. Visiting Tahoe is perhaps what inspired so many of us to move here. That’s why we continue to do everything we can to make a living and keep calling it “home.” It’s also why there’s agreement that there’s more to be done to take care of this special place, and why our organizations have shifted their efforts from destination marketing to destination management and stewardship.

Lake Tahoe is not a national park, and therefore cannot “close the gates.” The Tahoe Basin is located within National Forest lands that are open to the public, so telling people not to come is not possible. Residents and visitors are equally welcome to recreate in Tahoe and enjoy all the region has to offer. The paradigm shift that’s needed is for everyone — whether you live here part-time, full-time, or are visiting — to help take care of Tahoe. That means practicing leave no trace principles, changing your own behaviors by getting out of the car and making use of paved and dirt trails, using public transportation options or carpooling whenever possible, and supporting local businesses.

An extensive stakeholder engagement and community visioning process began in early 2022 after our community felt the challenges initially brought on by the pandemic. Unlike other communities trying to create similar plans after experiencing similar challenges, the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan represents an unprecedented collaboration of 17 regional organizations from different jurisdictions. It includes the formation of the first destination stewardship council that represents the greater Tahoe region, outlines a comprehensive framework, and sets in motion action priorities to better manage outdoor recreation and tourism. Its goals also include ensuring the sustainability and preservation of an iconic natural treasure and its local community. 

Our goal has always been to support our local communities by ensuring a thriving economy that includes tourism. Many of those who visit are already familiar with our destination, so our current messaging is focused on responsible travel and stewardship education. Prior to the pandemic, but even more so now, encouraging people to spend time lakeside in the winter and at the resorts in the summer, as well as travel during off-peak periods, are strategies used to help mitigate human impacts.

There’s not a single solution or a single entity that can solve regional challenges, but the collective, collaborative efforts of many are already making progress.

As part of the NTCA’s new Community Vitality and Economic Health Investment Program, 17 projects and programs that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors in the areas of workforce housing, transportation, trails, and tourism mitigation services were selected to receive three years of funding support through the Sponsorship grant program.

The NTCA intends to work with each applicant to outline contingencies, key performance indicators, metrics of success, and other outcomes and parameters that will be considered in subsequent years when determining the continuation of funding.

The allocation impact of the funding supports initiatives in alignment with community feedback and Sponsorship program criteria:

• Workforce housing: $7,900,000 (39%)
• Trail Transit Corridor: $5,700,000 (29%)
• Transportation: $5,242,558 (26%)
• Tourism impact: $1,185,000 (6%)

Proposals approved by the NTCA Board of Directors as recommended by the TBID Zone 1 and TBID Advisory committees to receive $2,515,558 in TBID funding include:

• BEBOT Beach cleaning robot 3-year deployment and youth/adult education, outreach and advocacy in North Lake Tahoe
  • Expanded beach cleaning to detect and remove debris including potentially harmful microplastics on North Lake Tahoe beaches.

• Lease to Locals Program
  • Providing cash incentives to homeowners who rent their homes seasonally or for one year to qualified local employees.

• Tahoe City Park & Ride winter operation (USFS 64 Acre parking lot snow removal)
  • Snow removal from areas at 64 Acres in Tahoe City to provide for 70 additional parking spaces for peak ski days from the start of January through mid-March, expanding the Park and Ride program from two to 26 service days.

• Tahoe Wildfire Preparedness Guide
  • Production of a 50,000-copy publication created by Tahoe Weekly that provides critical wildfire preparedness information for locals, visitors and vacation homeowners.

• Secline Beach enhancement project
  • Support planning and preliminary design for public recreation access upgrades and facility enhancements at Secline Beach to protect Lake Tahoe’s unique environment.

Proposals recommended to the Placer County Board of Supervisors by the NTCA Board of Directors, TOT and CAP committees for allocation of $17,512,000 in TOT funds include:

• North Tahoe Trail Segment 1
  • A 2.4-mile paved trail connecting the North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista to Carnelian Bay.

• Tahoe City Downtown Access Improvements
  • Expansion of the Grove Street parking lot, including pedestrian access improvements for businesses and recreational amenities, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

• TCPUD multi-use trail system (trail segment reconstruction project)
  • Reconstruction of aged and failing infrastructure in the existing trail system to address pavement cracking, root intrusion, visibility issues, ADA compliance, trail transitions, shoulder erosion, and drainage.

• Resort Triangle transportation plan project component (SR89 & SR267 adaptive corridor management/transit priority)
  • Transit-only lane from Tahoe City to the Placer County line on SR 89, and on Northstar Drive to the Placer County line on SR 267. Enhancement of operations on steep grades of SR 267 and provision of a climbing lane specifically for trucks and transit vehicles.

• Pam Emmerich Memorial Pinedrop Trail reconstruction and extension
  • Make the 1.5-mile paved trail the primary North Tahoe Trail trailhead location serving as the main access point to Lake Tahoe and the Kings Beach/Tahoe Vista community, and connecting to the North Tahoe Regional Park.

• Kings Beach Western Approach Project
  • Converting intersections of SR28/SR267 and SR28/Brassie to a roundabout and enhancing landscaping throughout the project area.

• Workforce Housing Preservation Program
  • Provide financial grants to local workers and homebuyers for the purchase of a deed-restricted home. Grants are available for 16% of the home’s purchase price, up to $150,000.

• RTTP Project Component (TART Connect expanded service hours)
  • Extending service hours during non-peak season to provide a more equitable transportation option year-round.

• Chalet Blanc mixed-use achievable housing project, Tahoe City
  • Contributing to 16-20 deed-restricted achievable rental housing units in downtown Tahoe City with mixed-use space inclusive of a restaurant space, and gallery/studio/lecture hall.

• Dollar Creek Crossing
  • Contributing to the project development/entitlement and construction, including gap financing of up to 80 units of rental apartments, 20 units of for-sale homes, each with an attached junior accessory dwelling unit, with construction estimated in spring 2025 subject to entitlement and funding approvals.

Proposals recommended for a combination of TBID and TOT funding include:

• Resort Triangle transportation plan parking management program in Kings Beach
  • Funding to support capital costs, operations and maintenance, and enforcement of the parking management program in Kings Beach.

• Sierra Community House’s workforce housing advocacy and direct assistance program
  • Contribute funds to the Sierra Community House’s well-established Workforce Housing Advocacy and Direct Assistance program that provides grants for rent and utility assistance for eligible residents who are part of the local workforce.
• North Lake Tahoe Workforce Vanpool program
  • The North Lake Tahoe Workforce Vanpool serves businesses in the entire geographic area of Eastern Placer County by putting vans on the road to help employees get from their homes to work. This collaborative effort between the Mountaineer Transit Company (MTC) and Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association (TNT/TMA) helps to reduce passenger miles traveled and support local businesses. The vanpool program is funded for 3 years by TOT funds and jumpstarted by TBID funds. 

The four committees convened by the NTCA reviewed the project applications and determined which investment opportunities to sponsor. The NTCA Board of Directors approved the committee recommendations for TBID-funded investment opportunities and recommended TOT-funded investment opportunities to the Placer County Board of Supervisors for their consideration and approval at their October 17 meeting.

The North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) unveiled new public recreation and accessibility upgrades to the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area (TVRA), including reconstruction of the Lake Tahoe scenic overlook and pathway to improve access for recreational users with disabilities, environmental improvements to stabilize the site and prevent erosion, and installation of community kayak and paddleboard storage racks.

NTPUD’s primary lakefront recreation facility provides the public with year-round safe and convenient access to Lake Tahoe to swim, fish, kayak, and paddleboard, launch and retrieve motorized vessels, and recreate. The TVRA also serves as a Lake Tahoe Water Trail trailhead, providing a sheltered site to launch non-motorized vessels, with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water.

The Tahoe Vista Scenic Overlook and Trail project was funded by the Placer County Tourism Master Plan Grant Program (which reinvests transient occupancy tax (TOT) in Eastern Placer County and is administered by the North Tahoe Community Alliance), the California Tahoe Conservancy Lake Tahoe Public Access and Outdoor Recreation for All Grant Program, and the NTPUD Recreation Capital Improvement Plan.

Read the full article here.

Lake Tahoe destination management, land management, and non-profit organizations launched the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan by signing an agreement to create the first destination stewardship council for the greater Tahoe region. The plan outlines a comprehensive framework and sets in motion action priorities to better manage outdoor recreation and tourism and to ensure the sustainability and preservation of an iconic natural treasure and its local community. 

The plan’s vision and actions were developed in collaboration with 17 regional organizations and the participation of over 3,000 residents, visitors, and businesses through surveys, interviews, and workshops. By implementing this plan, member organizations and Lake Tahoe communities will reinforce their commitment to responsible recreation and tourism practices, ensuring the continued enjoyment of this national treasure for generations to come.

The Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan establishes a shared vision for the region’s recreation and tourism system: A cherished place, welcoming to all, where people, communities, and nature benefit from a thriving tourism and outdoor recreation economy. The plan identifies 32 actions across four strategic pillars:

• Foster a tourism economy that gives back
• Turn a shared vision into shared action
• Advance a culture of caring for the greater Lake Tahoe region
• Improve the Tahoe experience for all

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Learn about the first ever Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan

Register for the virtual workshop on Jul 10, 2023 from 5-7 PM 

REgister

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What Lake Tahoe Leadership Is Saying

“At its heart, this plan is about taking care of Tahoe for generations to come. With the entire region putting this strategy into action, we will be able to build a sustainable future for the Lake Tahoe environment that everyone can enjoy.”

Amy Berry, CEO, Tahoe Fund

“The launch of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan represents a significant step forward in preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this beloved destination. It demonstrates the commitment and partnership of the local community, government agencies, and tourism industry to safeguard Lake Tahoe’s future.”

Tony Karwowski, President and CEO, North Tahoe Community Alliance.

“This plan responds to the need to balance a robust tourism economy, a fragile environment and thriving local communities, and the collaboration and commitment by our lakewide partners to achieve that balance is extraordinary and powerful towards achieving our shared vision.”

Carol Chaplin, President and CEO, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

“As the Tahoe region’s primary economic engine, tourism must be nurtured and shaped to support the wellbeing of its communities, visitors, businesses, natural environment, and cultures. It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and improve Lake Tahoe and its surrounding lands, tributaries and forests. To protect the quality of the Tahoe experience, it is vital to manage use while providing opportunities for all to enjoy it.”

Erick Walker, Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest

“The culmination of this plan and creation of Tahoe’s first destination stewardship council underscore the commitment we all share to a brighter future where the lake, our communities and visitors, and the backbone of our regional economy can thrive together. The diverse makeup of our region has put Lake Tahoe on the forefront of collaborative conservation and today that spirit of partnership is taking us forward to be a model for sustainable recreation and tourism as well.”

Julie Regan, Executive Director, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

The Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan in Action

The Lake Tahoe Stewardship Council will actively engage with stakeholders, residents, and visitors to foster a collective sense of responsibility toward the destination’s sustainability. The plan will be continuously reviewed, updated, and adapted to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

This summer, visitors and residents at Tahoe will see destination stewardship programs in action, including Take Care Ambassadors at recreation sites and trailheads, expanded litter clean-ups, solar compacting trash cans, and coordinated stewardship education campaigns focused on visitors and outdoor recreation users.

What Can You Do To Be A Steward This Summer?

• Learn more about Destination Stewardship and download the plan.
• Get ready for future action by signing up for the upcoming online webinar on July 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. or by signing up for the eNews at www.stewardshiptahoe.org.
• Join a Tahoe Blue Crew to help create a litter-free Lake Tahoe.
• Leverage the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit services like TART Connect, Truckee Thursday Shuttles, and more!
• Explore Take Care Tahoe to learn more about how you can be an advocate and steward of Lake Tahoe!

The Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship plan was developed in collaboration with 17 regional organizations including the California Tahoe Conservancy, City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, North Tahoe Community Alliance, Placer County, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Tahoe Fund, Tahoe Prosperity Center, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, USDA Forest Service – Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Visit Truckee-Tahoe, Washoe County, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

 

North Tahoe Community Alliance Launches With New Purpose

Formerly known as the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, the organization’s name change reflects its commitment to destination stewardship and community advocacy

The North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) has officially launched as the destination stewardship and management organization for North Lake Tahoe. Formerly known as the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, our organization is changing its name to align with our mission to positively impact the economic health of the region, contribute to community vitality and promote environmental stewardship.

“The organizational shift we made over the last year presented an opportunity to align our name more directly with our revised purpose,” said Tony Karwowski, NTCA president and CEO. “Instead of purely marketing the region and encouraging visitation as the NLTRA did for 65 years, the NTCA’s efforts are now focused on promoting responsible travel during off-peak seasons, stewardship education, and collaborating with regional stakeholders to identify and implement solutions to issues that impact our residents, businesses and visitors.”

In addition to supporting the North Lake Tahoe business community by contributing to the maintenance of a vibrant, sustainable year-round economy, the NTCA’s role is to address key issues that impact the community. Through this lens, the NTCA will continue to seek out and advocate for local transportation and workforce housing solutions, visitor services, and tourism mitigation projects that can be funded by and leveraged with Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessment dollars.

The stewardship principles the organization is aligned around include:

• Elevating the experience of Lake Tahoe for all
• Honoring the region’s culture and history
• Ensuring that natural resources are cared for by visitors and residents
• Creating opportunities that support a balance for business owners, employees and residents
• Engaging partners in collaborations toward common outcomes

GoTahoeNorth will remain intact as the brand used by the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative, the collaborative effort facilitated by the NTCA and Travel North Tahoe Nevada. It will continue to be used for consumer-facing outreach related to visiting North Lake Tahoe and the promotion of responsible travel.

The work of the NTCA staff is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and committees comprised of local business owners and their representatives.

About the North Tahoe Community Alliance
The North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) collaborates with regional stakeholders to support a vibrant, year-round economy that benefits residents, businesses and visitors of North Lake Tahoe. The organization also advocates for and funds local transportation and workforce housing solutions, visitor services, and promotes responsible and off-peak season travel with a focus on stewardship education. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and committees comprised of local business owners and their representatives, the NTCA is funded by a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) in contract with Placer County. Formerly known as the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, the organization was renamed the NTCA in 2023 to align with its new mission.