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Each property owner can help to protect and preserve our
environmental resources at Lake Tahoe. Simple things such
as reducing waste and pollution, conserving water and other
resources, using fertilizer sparingly and wisely, using
public transportation and installing the required BMPs can
help to save Lake Tahoe for future generations.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Each homeowner plays a critical role in reducing the impact
of urban runoff resulting from development. Runoff from
residential areas transports nutrients and sediment to surface
waters, adversely affecting the water quality and clarity
of Lake Tahoe.
Best Management Practices (BMPs), designed to prevent nutrient
and sediment loading to Lake Tahoe, are required on all
commercial properties, on the public roadways, and yes,
even on our own private property. The Tahoe Regional Planning
Agency (TRPA) recommends that you have your residence evaluated
for BMPs. Typically, a BMP retrofit for a residential property
entails measures such as spreading mulch over exposed soil
areas, paving dirt driveways, and in some cases installing
infiltration systems next to driveways and under roof driplines.
BMPs are structural and non-structural practices proven
effective in management of surface runoff and other non-point
source pollution. Call the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency´s
Erosion Control Team (775-588-4547) or your local Conservation
District (California, 530-543-1501) or Nevada, 530-573-2754)
to schedule a free BMP site evaluation.
Fertilizer Usage
When you're fertilizing the lawn, remember you're not just
fertilizing the lawn. The rain washes fertilizer along the
curb, into the storm drain, and directly into our streams
and Lake Tahoe. This causes algae to grow, which decreases
the clarity of the lake. So if you fertilize, please follow
directions and use sparingly.
Water Conservation
Please don´t waste water - To irrigate your lawn
efficiently and avoid over-watering, you should perform
an “irrigation audit” (or “can”
test) on your sprinkler system. If you are applying more
than 1 and one-half inches of water per week in spring or
fall, or more than 2 inches per week in July and August,
you are over-watering and perhaps leaching nutrients down
into the groundwater.
Visit Your Local Demonstration
Garden
There are two community demonstration gardens for property
owners to visit:
- The North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, located on
the Campus of Sierra Nevada College, and
- The South Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, on the campus
of Lake Tahoe Community College.
These gardens demonstrate fundamental principles of successful
landscaping and gardening at Lake Tahoe, where the growing
season is short, rich soil is scarce, and reliable information
on high-altitude gardening is in short supply. But, there
is more to the garden than simply learning how to landscape
your property. You can conserve water, control soil erosion,
enhance water quality, and understand how we can protect
and enhance this beautiful place we call home.
Contacts:
* North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, Margaret Solomon
at (775) 831-8437
* South Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden, Lake Tahoe Community
College
Pick Up a Copy of the Home Landscaping Guide for Lake
Tahoe and Vicinity
The Home Landscaping
Guide for Lake Tahoe and Vicinity helps homeowners
design landscapes, control erosion, maintain native vegetation
and wildlife habitat, improve soil and irrigate efficiently.
It contains suggested plan lists, pest-management tips and
defensible space practices to protect homes from wildfire.
"We hope this guide helps homeowners achieve their
individual landscape goals, while encouraging them to implement
appropriate landscape practices that preserve the lake's
unique environment," said John Cobourn, water resource
specialist and principle author. |
