Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) was created by the states of California and Nevada (with the backing of federal legislation) to save Lake Tahoe by managing development throughout the Lake’s 300,000 acre watershed. Its regional jurisdiction coincides with the resource it is charged to protect. As such, it is the only multi-state, mandatory regional planning agency, and the only one whose jurisdiction matches a complete watershed boundary.
The Agency has developed long-range plans, numerical measures of success and a broad array of land use management tools. It reviews and must approve all development for consistency with regional environmental thresholds, plans and ordinances. The Agency carries out a number of related planning functions under federal and state mandates, and raises substantial funds through fees which it invests in restoration, capital improvements and scientific research. The Tahoe Agency is (with the addition of a federal representative) the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region.
Vital Statistics:
Chapter of the Book: 3
States: CA & NV
Year Established: 1969
Geographic Scale: 300,000 acres
Mandatory or Voluntary over Local Government: Mandatory
Authorizing Laws: Federal & State
Agencies and Organizations:
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Tahoe Environmental Research Center, U.C. Davis
Resources:
Tahoe Regional Planning Compact
- California, GC 66800
- Nevada, RS 277.190
- Federal, PL 96-551
Lake Tahoe Regional Plan (1987)
Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update
Tahoe Thresholds Carrying Capacity Report
