Recreation

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Recreation

Providing Enjoyment in the Lake Tahoe Basin

The Lake Tahoe Basin´s economy is based largely on tourism, and to help boost this base, a high-quality recreation experience is paramount. Recreation experiences are influenced by the four seasons, state of the economy, and local weather. From skiing and snowboarding, to kayaking and parasailing - Lake Tahoe has it all, but there is a delicate balance to achieve between public access to recreation and environmental preservation. Recreational activities can have an impact on water, air, wildlife, transportation and scenic quality of the Lake Tahoe Basin, and vice-versa. Together, land management agencies can provide recreational access without impinging on the environmental quality that brings so many visitors to the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Recreation participants have many common interests, but the emotional and spiritual revelation gained by participating in recreation pursuits cannot be easily defined. Whether it is the construction of a facility, purchasing of open space, or implementation of policy, recreation is a resource for the Lake Tahoe visitor or resident affording relaxation and enjoyment. Additionally, recreation is not merely play-time, but a societal pursuit that directly translates into the foundation of the Tahoe Basin's primary economy: tourism.

Recreation planning is unique in the Tahoe Basin. Most planning is designed to limit development, while recreation planning strives to enhance development for public access to the Basin's recreational facilities. Access to recreation opportunities and the development of diverse recreational facilities are ever increasing concerns as visitation levels rise with the population booms in California and Nevada. These population increases correspond with an increased demand for access to Lake Tahoe shores and other public lands for recreational activities. Additionally, the increase in resident population of the Lake Tahoe Basin contributes to a greater demand for urban recreational facilities, such as swimming pools and ball-fields.

There are principally three types of recreational opportunities: dispersed, developed, and urban. Dispersed recreational activities include hiking, jogging, primitive camping, nature study, fishing, cross country skiing, rafting/kayaking and swimming activities, which typically do not require the use of improved facilities. Developed recreation involves activities enhanced by the use of built facilities, such as campgrounds, marinas, and ski resorts. Indoor and outdoor urban recreation facilities are primarily designed for use by the residents of the region, such as athletic fields and neighborhood parks.

Source:

Draft TRPA 2003 EIP Update

Draft TRPA 2001 Threshold Evaluation

Indicators

R-1 Quality Experience and Additional Access

It shall be the policy of the TRPA Governing Body in development of the Regional Plan to preserve and enhance the high-quality recreational experience, including preservation of high-quality undeveloped shorezone and other natural areas. In developing the Regional Plan, the staff and Governing Body shall consider provisions for additional access, where lawful and feasible, to the shorezone and high-quality undeveloped areas for low-density recreational uses.

R-2 Fair Share of Resource Capacity

It shall be the policy of the TRPA Governing Body in development of the Regional Plan to establish and ensure a fair share of the total Basin capacity for outdoor recreation is available to the general public.

Click here for more information about recreation indicators from the TRPA 2001 Threshold Evaluation

Research

A goal of TIIMS is housing documents about the past, present and future environmental research conducted in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Scientific research conducted by organizations, agencies, and universities aims to detect, for example, recreation area use and discover ways to monitor and ultimately eliminate environmental impacts. Ongoing research efforts collecting baseline data will help regulatory agencies establish regulations and develop limits and indicators designed to improve environmental health.

The major project implementing agencies include the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Nevada Division of State Parks, and the United States Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Many local recreation providers such as the City of South Lake Tahoe and the regional utility districts (i.e., TCPUD, NTPUD) also play an important role in supporting the recreation thresholds by implementing projects. The California Tahoe Conservancy has been instrumental in funding regionally significant recreation projects within the California portion of the Tahoe basin.

TIIMS is always searching for more documents to include in this section so please contact tiims@trpa.org with possible links to other recreation research.

Recreation Resources

Nozicka, C. 2001. Recreation User Preference Survey and Focus Group Research. Chuck Nozicka Consulting, March 2001.

Nozicka, C. 2003. Future Recreation Conditions and Facilities Survey. Chuck Nozicka Consulting, March 2003.

Nozicka, C. 2003. Recreation User Survey - Winter 2003. Chuck Nozicka Consulting, June 2003.

Shaw, G. 2001. Resident and Non-resident Perceptions of Lake Tahoe Recreation Resources: Importance-Performance Analysis and Management Implications. Thesis – Master of Science in Recreation Administration, California State University, Sacramento. Gregory C. Shaw, Summer 2001.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 1991. 1991 Evaluation - Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities and the Regional Plan Package. Chapter Seven: Recreation. November 1991.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 1996. Draft 1996 Evaluation Report - Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities and the Regional Plan Package. Chapter 7: Recreation December 1996.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 2001. Regional Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin: 2001 Threshold Evaluation, Chapter Ten: Recreation. July 2002.

Lindstrom, S 2000. A Contextual Overview of Human Land Use and Environmental Conditions. Lake Tahoe Watershed Assessment: Volume I. Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-175.

RRC Associates/Vasey Engineering 1996. Recreation Resource Allocation and Capacity Study for the 1996 TRPA Recreation Threshold Evaluation. August 1996.

Hagler Bailly, Inc. 1999. Watercraft Use Study - Lakes of Tahoe. October 1999.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 1982. Environmental Impact Statement for the Establishment of Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities. May 1982.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 1982. Study Report for the Establishment of Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities. October 1982.