Indicator
Pope Marsh
2015 Evaluation
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2015 Evaluation
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Status
Insufficient Data to Determine Status or No Target Established
Trend
Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
Confidence
Low
Evaluation Map
Pope Marsh Map.JPG
Description

Location of Pope Marsh and surrounding area.

Rationale Details
Insufficient data to determine status. Pope Marsh is adjacent to Pope Beach, which is one of the most heavily used public recreation facilities at Lake Tahoe in the summer months. Most of the use is concentrated on the beach itself, but a long parking lot separates Pope Marsh from Lake Tahoe and culverts connect the beach area to the marsh. The main impacts to the marsh are related to recreation, including disturbance of vegetation and wildlife by dogs and some trampling from hiking and bicycling. A relatively large infestation of bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) has been present at Pope Marsh for several years, and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) occurs in the standing water. Groundwater pumping from the Tahoe Keys potentially poses a threat to the hydrologic regime, and is likely leading to a gradual change in species composition (Green, 1991).

The potential for decline from increased recreational impacts or an increase in non-native species was noted (TRPA 2007). Management actions in the last five years have focused on facility improvements, hazard tree removal at Pope Beach, and control of known invasive plant populations at Pope Marsh. The location of the wetland in the urban core, and the associated urban run-off and invasive plant infestations suggest that the natural qualities of Pope Marsh are not as intact as more remote wetlands like Hell Hole or Meiss Meadows. Groundwater pumping from the Tahoe Keys is an ongoing threat to the integrity of the marsh plant community (Green 1991). The effects of the recent drought on Pope Marsh are unknown. There is no recent quantitative or qualitative data available, so the status of Pope Marsh is unknown.
Insufficient data to determine trend. The 2011 Threshold Evaluation Report considered Pope Marsh to be somewhat worse than target. No further evidence is available to indicate a change in the trend in the last four years.
Confidence Details
Low. Where insufficient data is available to determine status the confidence is determined to be low.
Low. Where insufficient data is available to determine trend the confidence is determined to be low.
Low.
Outcomes
Programs and Actions Implemented to Improve Conditions
TRPA and partners implement regulations and programs related to the protection of stream environment zones and uncommon plant communities. Anthropogenic activities known to impact these areas are prohibited.
Effectiveness of Programs and Actions
Current regulations and protection measures appear effective. However, additional work is needed to control noxious and aquatic weed infestations.
Interim Target
Insufficient data is available at this time to establish an interim target.
Target Attainment Date
Not applicable.
Recommendations
Analytic Approach
Data from the U.S. Forest Service long term meadow monitoring plots are expected to provide a standardized quantitative measure of meadow health and long term trends. Agencies monitor and report on different cycles. Threshold reporting is on a four-year cycle, and the LTBMU is monitoring vegetation plots on a five-year cycle. Synchronization would be beneficial. Web-based reporting in the future will enable more continuous reporting and data analysis.
Monitoring Approach
The U.S. Forest Service long term meadow plots are relevant to a limited area of the marsh. Consideration should be given additional monitoring in the southern area of Pope Marsh influenced by stream flow. One plot could be placed in the southern finger referred to in Green’s 1991 study, and another in the broad sedge flats in the south central area (Green, 1991).
Modification of the Threshold Standard or Indicator
No baseline has been established against which the nondegradation of the community standard can be objectively evaluated. Objective determination of “attainment” status for standards without a specific target is a recurrent challenge both in the Region and in the larger field of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The standard should be assessed against best practice for the establishment of standards and indicators for M&E, and amended as necessary to improve the evaluability of the standard and the information it provides for management.
Attain or Maintain Threshold
TRPA and partners maintain several nondegradation standards supported by policies, regulations, and implementation programs that provide a framework for protecting wetlands and riparian areas within the Tahoe Region. Continue programs to control known invasive weed infestations and prevent new infestations.
Additional Figures and Resources

No documents available.