Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Maritime Annex Open House

Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts an Open House at the Truckee Annex from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, weather permitting. See vessels and artifications not on display at the Homewood museum.

Located at 10434 River Park Place. Free admission with Toys for Tots donation. $5 adults, free children 12 and under and members. (530) 525-9253.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Emerald Bay Trip

Truckee-Donner Parks and Rec. is offering a trip to Emerald Bay on Oct. 2 to visit one of the sites where the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is working to eradicate invasive species in Lake Tahoe.

Learn about zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand clams, curly leaf pondweed, millefoil and other species that are threatening the Lake.

The trip is from 9 a.m. to noon and is limited to 14 people. The cost is $52 per person. To register, call (530) 582-7720.

Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tour

Tahoe Adventure Company offers a multi-day kayak adventure includes guided paddles, spotting local wildlife and learning about natural and human history on Sept. 24 to 27 and Oct. 1 to 4.

Arrive at your lakefront hotel for a hot shower, warm meal by afternoon. Relax, socialize or get a massage.

$990 per person for groups of five to eight, $1,190 pp for groups of three to four, $1,390 per person for two. Includes kayak, gear, professional guide, meals, lakefront lodging, snacks and refreshments. Reservations (530) 913-9212.

Friday, September 18, 2009

TRPA buoy deadline Oct. 15

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – Orange notice tags will begin showing up on buoys around Lake Tahoe over the next four weeks as part of an effort by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to get the word out that a permitting and registration deadline is approaching for all Lake Tahoe moorings such as buoys and boatlifts.

TRPA’s Watercraft Enforcement Team started attaching the notices to buoys and other moorings such as boatlifts and boathouses this week. Buoy and mooring owners have until October 15 to begin the permitting and registration process, required under the Agency’s shorezone ordinances.

The permitting and registration program will help fund much-needed enforcement on the Lake to address the proliferation of unauthorized buoys in Tahoe. The Agency’s rules on boat mooring were updated in December of 2008 in part to create an effective, locally operated buoy enforcement program.

An October 15 deadline has been set for mooring owners to begin the process. Those who fail to meet the deadline risk penalties that could include buoy removal. The orange tags now being attached to buoys are a follow-up notification to buoy owners of the October 15 deadline. Two notifications were mailed to lakefront property owners, one last November and one this July.

“We are here to help walk buoy owners through the process and customers who contact us have been impressed with what we are doing to assist them,” TRPA Community Liaison Jeff Cowen said.

The buoy permit application process was modified in July removing the need in most cases for site surveying. Additionally, permitting and registration may be completed over-the-counter and applicants with minimum requirements are usually issued TRPA registration tags the same day. Latitude and longitude coordinates for buoys are one requirement of the application which TRPA customer service staff can help property owners gather.

“Most important right now is for buoy owners to not delay or ignore the notice,” Cowen said. “What we don’t want is for legitimate buoy owners to potentially lose their moorings because they didn’t meet the deadline.”

There are approximately 4,400 mooring buoys in Lake Tahoe and, until this year, administering them has been a challenge for TRPA as well as state and federal agencies with permitting authority over buoys. New registration and mitigation fees for buoys will help fund the watercraft enforcement program, buoy enforcement as well as scientific monitoring programs.

Owners of buoys and other moorings such as boatlifts and boathouses can access electronic forms at www.trpa.org and may submit the appropriate forms by mail or in person at the TRPA office at 128 Market Street in Stateline, NV.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at (775) 589-5235 or email todoliver@trpa.org.

Kayak Safety class

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary wraps its series of safety classes with a Kayak Safety class on Oct. 3 (the class was originally scheduled for Oct. 10). The class will include an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. This class is $30 per person and will be held at the Coast Guard Station in Lake Forest. To register or for more information, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334.

Court Ruling Allows Shorezone Permitting to Continue


Judge Issues Injunction Decision


Contact: Julie Regan, TRPA Communications and Legislative Affairs Chief, (775) 589-5237

For Release Immediately September 18, 2009

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV - Pier and buoy permitting at Lake Tahoe will be allowed to continue under a federal court ruling made in the legal dispute over TRPA's shorezone program.

A federal judge agreed with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's legal brief in response to litigation filed by the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Club to allow buoy and pier permitting to continue while the lawsuit moves through legal channels, according to Nicole Rinke, TRPA's General Counsel.

"TRPA successfully made the case to continue the permitting process for buoys and piers to further our goal to improve how boating activities are regulated on Lake Tahoe," Rinke said. "While no construction of new piers or buoys is allowed until after the lawsuit is sorted out by the courts, TRPA will continue moving forward to carry out the new shorezone plan and is optimistic the courts will agree with our approach when the lawsuit is resolved."

After a 22-year debate of how best to manage development in Lake Tahoe's shorezone, the TRPA adopted new policies and ordinances in October 2008, which have since been challenged by environmental organizations. The plaintiffs argued for an injunction on all permitting of new buoys and piers but the court did not grant the full injunction. The merits of the entire lawsuit are being evaluated by the courts.

"It's crucial for the public to understand that the new shorezone regulations set development caps on new buoys and piers and establishes mitigation measures, making the new rules more protective than previous ordinances," Rinke said. "There are already nearly 800 piers and approximately 4,500 buoys on the lake today. With our new shorezone program we can better manage boating activities and protect water quality at Lake Tahoe from environmental threats including invasive species."

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, email jregan@trpa.org<mailto:jregan@trpa.org>.

###

Jeff Cowen
Community Liaison
(775) 589-5278

Donner Lake & Beyond


While Lake Tahoe is one of the premier lakes in the Sierra, it is far from the only one. The Sierra Nevada is filled with hundreds of lakes and reservoirs that make boating and other water activities a popular pastime throughout the vast mountain range.


Locally, among the most visited bodies of water outside of Lake Tahoe are Donner Lake and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek Reservoirs.


Donner Lake

Donner Lake is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, and can get crowded on the weekends. But, you’ll find it a fantastic spot to put in for a glorious day of cruising. Donner Lake is just under 3 miles long and about three-quarters of a mile wide, giving boaters, kayakers, water skiers and wake boarders lots of room to spread out and have fun.


Unlike Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake does not require inspections for quagga and zebra mussels, although a ramp attendant recently remarked to me that “they might wish they had” if they spread to the alpine lake. Just remember that if you have your inspection sticker for Lake Tahoe and you visit Donner Lake, you’ll have to pay for your inspection again when you return to Lake Tahoe.


Donner Lake is a mostly residential area with a mix of locals, vacationers and second homeowners. The north shore is home to Donner State Memorial Park, the boat launch, Donner Lake Marina and what few services there are.


From Truckee, take Donner Pass Road, which runs along the north shore. You’ll find the public boat launch near the west end of the lake. If you want to stock up before hitting the water, stop at Donner Pines Market or enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the area’s best eateries – Donner Lake Kitchen. They are both located on the North Shore, about 1.8 miles before the boat launch.


The Truckee Parks & Rec Department operates the launch, which is open 24 hours a day. Attendants are on-site from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with fees $7 for California residents and $10 for out-of-state during those hours. Parking is $2. There are public restrooms at the launch site.


All boat traffic on Donner Lake goes counter-clockwise and the speed limit on the lake is 35 mph from sunrise to sunset; it drops to 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. The speed is 5 mph nears the homeowner’s beaches – Donner Lake on the west end and Tahoe Donner on the east end – as well as near the public West End Beach. These areas are off-limits to boat traffic, so don’t enter the swimming areas.


If you want to rent water toys, kayaks or personal watercraft, Donner Lake Marina on the west end (just west of the boat launch) and Donner Lake Watersports on the east shore can help. There are no fuel, pump or launch services on the lake, however.


What the lake does have in abundance is public piers – there are 35 public piers on the north shore. You can use them to sunbath or picnic, but please be courteous of private piers. Also, the only restrooms are at the boat launch or Shoreline Park, which is about midway on the north shore and can be reached from the beach. And there are no public piers on the other shores.


The Reservoirs

Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs are great places to visit for a day on the water just outside Truckee. They also offer many camping options, so you can plan a prolonged trip to these area waterways. And, there are no launch fees on any of the reservoirs. However, there are no services near the reservoirs, so stock up in Truckee or at United Trails General Store on Hirschdale Road right off Interstate 80.


Prosser Creek Reservoir, the smallest of the three, is closed to power boats and personal water craft. The speed limit is 10 mph, making it a great spot for fishermen. From Truckee, take Highway 89 to Prosser Dam Road. You can launch from several unimproved locations.


Boca Reservoir is the most easily, and quickly accessible from Interstate 80. You can take the Hirschdale exit or continue on the dirt road from Prosser Dam Road off Highway 89 North.


The Boca area was once a booming industrial area providing ice to railcars carrying goods to the east and lumber to the gold and silver mines from the mid-1860s. There was also a former town near the present-day reservoir and the area was home to the Boca Brewery, said to be “warranted to keep in any area.”


Today, Boca is a favorite spot for personal watercraft and ski boats. There are about 14 miles of shoreline with the depth ranging from 50’ to 80’, with the deepest part near the dam. You can reach the paved boat ramp by taking Boca Lake Road off Hirschdale Road and crossing the dam.


There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Boca from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. In the coves, the speed limit is set at 5 mph.


The largest of the trio is Stampede Reservoir, located a few miles north on Hirschdale/Stampede Road. With about 25 miles of shoreline, the amoeba-shaped reservoir has lots of coves, inlets and spots to get away from the crowds. Stampede averages 90’ to 120’ of depth.


There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Stampede from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. There’s a 5 mph limit within 200’ of the boat ramp, near moored boats, swimmers and the swimming beach. The launch is located on Dog Valley Road off Stampede.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Lake Tahoe's water trail

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee released a new edition of its “Lake Tahoe Water Trail Map & Guide” earlier this summer, and if you haven’t picked up a copy, you need to get one.

The map is a waterproof and tearproof map of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake that was specially designed for kayakers to help them navigate on their own around the lake. The map is an ingenious idea and features GPS waypoints, put-in points (including boat ramps, marinas and spots to put in by car) and a list of local sites of interests. But, probably the most useful information is the guide that lists lodging, boating, camping, picnicking, dining and other useful information to aid in your trip around Lake Tahoe.

While originally designed with kayakers in mind, any one that spends time on the water will find this map a great tool to have with them.

The map is wonderfully detailed with lake depths and cleared marked shorelines, with both public and private lands clearly marked. I have a collection of Tahoe maps, and this is one of the best-produced and most useful maps I’ve ever seen.

As I was reading my copy of the map recently (and, I love to read maps), I marveled at the amount of time and energy that has been devoted to this particular guide. The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee, a group of paddling advocates, has compiled 294 places to help kayakers navigate the lake from public beaches and campgrounds to restaurants and lodging that can be accessed by the lake.

There are also historical points of interest including the Thunderbird Lodge, Tallac Historic Site, Sugar Pine Point State Park and many others. They also include a list of local outfitters accessible by water in case you need supplies and interesting points like the underwater barge in Emerald Bay or the Lakefront Wedding Chapel in South Lake (I guess in case you decide to be wed during your trip around the lake).

The map features a point with a color-coded key. On the back is detailed information on each site including a key that will tell you if there’s a pier, fuel, lodging, camping, restaurants, restrooms, local transit, outfitter, showers, phones and much more. As well, they provide local emergency information and contact information for local visitor’s centers to help you on your trip.

The maps retail for $10.99 and are available at most local outfitters and bookstores. For more information on the map of the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee, visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Zebra & Quagga Mussels

The Committee also includes information on the map about the zebra and quagga mussels, two invasive species that the TRPA is trying to keep from infecting Lake Tahoe. These mussels can be transported from infected waterways to Lake Tahoe, causing significant damage to clarity and will clog and damage boats and municipal water systems.

These mussels can survive for weeks in standing water or on any wet material from kayaks to PFDs, wet suits, clothes, shoes and other equipment. The most effective way to prevent their spread is to clean, drain and dry anything that has touched the water. If kayakers launch at a public boat launch, they are required to have an inspection, which is provided free for all non-motorized vessels. If you’re not sure about your equipment, please take the time to have this free inspection done. (There’s a fee for motorized vessels.) For more information on the mussels, visit www.protecttahoe.org. To find a local inspection site, see the list of public launches on our Marina chart in this edition.

Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tours

Tahoe Adventure Company is offering the first Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tour along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail from Sept. 24 to 27 and from Oct. 1 to 4.

The tours feature a multi-day kayak and stay package along the West, North and East shores of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy the glassy, clear waters with early morning guided paddles spotting local wildlife and learning the unique natural and human history of this special region.

In addition to thorough instruction, guides will inform participants about natural and human history topics such as wildlife, geology, ecology and native peoples. Kayaking is at a leisurely pace, allowing time to see the sites and enjoy the crystal clear water. Each day's paddle starts after breakfast, finishes in the afternoon and is suitable for beginners. Evenings are enjoyed with delicious meals at local restaurants.

Space is limited. For details, call Tahoe Adventure Company at (530) 913-9212.

Emerald Bay trip

Truckee-Donner Parks and Rec. and Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is offering a trip on Sept. 11 to Emerald Bay to visit one of the sites where the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is working to eradicate invasive species in Lake Tahoe.

Learn about zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand clams, curly leaf pondweed, millefoil and other species that are threatening the Lake. Participants will be able to observe conservancy divers at work on the site. The trip is 9 a.m. to noon and is limited to 14 people. The cost is $52 per person. The trip, without divers at work, also will be offered on Oct. 2. To register, call (530) 582-7720.

Kayak Safety Class

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary wraps its series of safety classes with a Kayak Safety class on Oct. 10. The class will include an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. This class is $30 per person and will be held at the Coast Guard Station in Lake Forest. To register or for more information, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3334.