Program objective

To make annual payments to the governing bodies of each of the political subdivisions (including public utilities) located in the Lake Tahoe Basin to be used primarily for erosion control and water quality projects. The goal of the program is to provide federal assistance to address urban stormwater runoff pollution, the primary source of pollutants (fine sediment and nutrients) affecting the clarity of Lake Tahoe. This program addresses urban runoff from public roads and right of ways. To fund a competitive grant award program for research projects high in technical merit and relevant to land management and regulatory agencies working in the Tahoe Basin. The goal of the program is to promote applied, timely, relevant research that addresses natural resource management needs in the basin. Research funded through this program addresses key management questions, includes input from agencies, produces decision-support tools that are useful and accessible, fosters collaboration and communication, builds on previous research, and ultimately addresses the science needs identified in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program. The environmental goals of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program are defined using thresholds that were established to protect the natural environment and maintain public health and safety within the basin. The threshold categories are: 1) water quality, 2) wildlife, 3) soil conservation, 4) scenic resources, 5) air quality, 6) recreation, 7) vegetation, 8) noise, and 9) fisheries.